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How to Choose The Best Sauna For You

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Once you decide to buy a sauna, you will be surprised at how many different places you can go to start gathering research. There is, of course, the Internet, but when choosing an item as important as this, you will probably want to actually see them and really investigate all of their great features.

So, that is the first step you want to take. Find a good retailer where you can visit their showroom, so you not only get to see what styles, types, and sizes are available, but so you can ask questions. There should be experts on hand who are willing and able to assist you.

Prior to actually going and checking out the saunas, you may want to do some preparation first. You need to know what space you have available and whether you are thinking about having an indoor or outdoor sauna. Knowing this will save you some time and help you to narrow down your options. You should also know the budget range you want to stay within.

The first thing that you are going to have to focus on once you start taking a close look at the saunas is whether you are more interested in the traditional rock/steam saunas or if you find the dry heat saunas appealing. They each have a lot of advantages to them and in the end, it will come down to your personal preference.

With the traditional rock/steam sauna, it heats your body indirectly. The heat being produced by this sauna is heating the air, which in turn is heating your body.

The radiant infrared sauna does not heat the air. It emits a ray that is absorbed into the body, which raises the body temperature.

Both of these saunas will make you feel warm and cause you to perspire. This is what you want and should expect as this is where many of the sauna benefits come from. Perspiring helps to rid the body of toxins, which create ailments. Toxins can contribute to sore stiff muscles along with several other health issues.

Both types of saunas will create a relaxing atmosphere, which you are sure to enjoy. Aside from choosing the type of sauna based on these choices, you are going to want to focus on their styles and sizes. Keep in mind with the size that once your friends discover that you have a sauna at your house, they will more than likely be visiting a lot more often, so you may want to choose a sauna that is big enough to accommodate a few extra people.

Building an Outdoor Oasis with Your Sauna

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The amazing benefits of having access to a sauna cannot be overstated. The therapeutic benefits alone make installing a sauna in your home one of the most beneficial things you can do. Saunas can be installed in a variety of locations, but why not make it a visual focal point of your backyard and build the perfect outdoor oasis of your own.

The many aesthetically appealing variations of outdoor saunas on the market allow you to expand your vision and make a truly remarkable outdoor living space. You can choose to tuck away your sauna for privacy or to make it easily accessible for friends and family to access and share the benefits. You can design an oasis that includes outdoor entertainment ranging from a television to an outdoor cooking area. For health benefits and relaxation there is absolutely nothing like a sauna for enjoyment.

The many designs on the market today allow you to truly build a beautiful environment. Wrapped in cedar with complimentary lighting inside and out, you can create an area that will literally take your breath away. With the vast array of sauna designs on the market, finding one that suits your needs and vision is very easy to do.

Do you want a personal sauna for just yourself and one other person or a larger design that makes it easier to invite friends and family in to enjoy the benefits? Whichever design you prefer, you can easily shape the rest of the area around your design by adding decking and landscaping to create a truly wonderful visual experience.

The sauna can be used all year long, while adding value to your property. Whether you choose to build a free standing structure, incorporate it into a natural structure like a hill, or attach your sauna to your deck, the possibilities are as endless.

The main consideration will be the availability of a power source to add whatever lighting package that you decide to use and deciding exactly what heat source you will choose. The electrical issue can be solved relatively easily by having an electrician come and assist you in the planning and implementation of your vision. As for the heat source, you can choose between electric and wood burning heaters.

If you decide to go with wood burning, you can build an area to store your wood that will complement the overall aesthetics of the structure itself, adding to the eye catching beauty of the sauna. Remember, building you sauna oasis is limited only to your imagination.

Sauna Versus Steam Room

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If you are looking for a new form of relaxation, you may be considering either purchasing a sauna or steam room. They both have some great benefits and it is going to come down to the purpose that you want to use the sauna or steam room for. Both of these have the ability to produce a high level of heat, which enhances your health. Let’s take a look at the difference between a sauna and a steam room.

Saunas

Saunas are able to reach a temperature of about 160& even infrared saunas are available. In general, most people will utilize a sauna session from anywhere between five to 20 minutes. They will make sure that they drink plenty of fluids, such as water before utilizing the sauna because of the high dry heat.

Steam rooms

The main difference between a sauna and steam room is that the steam room has moist heat. It produces many of the same benefits and usually comes down to a person’s personal preference regarding whether they like dry or moist heat. The temperature reached in the steam room is around 120 degrees.

There are a few factors that may help you choose between the two units if you are undecided. If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, you may find that the sauna brings the most benefits. This is based on the dry heat.

If you are suffering with skin conditions, such as acne, you may find that the steam room is really beneficial for helping to cleanse your pores and reduce acne breakouts. Generally speaking, a steam room is ideal for cleansing the skin. For those that suffer with chronic congestion, you’ll find that the moisture in the steam room really helps to loosen up the congestion and allows the sinuses to drain easier.

Considering all of these factors, it then comes down to what your personal preference is and which you feel you and your family will enjoy more.

Can Saunas Benefit Seniors?

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At times, seniors don’t get the opportunity to use a lot of the resources that may help them with their overall well-being. A good example of this is a sauna. There are many individuals that have used saunas for many years and continue to do so even through their senior years. With the modern technology that has been built into the saunas of today, it opens up the doors for many other choices when it comes to the type of heat that one may experience in the sauna. This creates better options for the seniors.

In general, as seniors age, they develop more health problems. The most common ones are problems with their joints and arthritis. Added to this, some may begin to experience different forms of heart failure. In the past, it has always been stipulated that individuals with chronic heart failure should refrain from sauna bathing. There is new research that is showing that sauna bathing may be quite beneficial for the individual with chronic heart failure, which is common amongst seniors.

Of course, every senior should check with their health care provider when they are going to do something new, such as using a sauna. Once the senior gets the go ahead to be able to use a sauna, they often find that they receive a great deal of pain relief from their stiff joints and arthritis. Many find that it is not only relaxing for them, but revitalizing as well.

Some individuals are turning to the infrared saunas. They are finding that it is a great method to increase the blood circulation and help to purify the skin. Another great advantage of the sauna for seniors is that it is an affordable solution that doesn’t take up a lot of space. Many seniors have downsized their home and may feel that they may not have a room for a sauna. However, with the choices available today, it is easy to find one that is appropriate for their living space.

Choosing the Ultimate Location for Your Sauna

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When it comes to choosing a sauna, you have some exciting choices ahead of you. You can choose an indoor, outdoor or even a portable sauna. They are available in many different shapes and sizes and each come with their own unique features. The great thing about saunas is that they are compact and will fit into many different locations that may be considered as being quite small. This means that you may have several choices for where you want your sauna installed.

If you are looking at an indoor location for your sauna, one of the ideal places for this would be beside the bathroom. One of the reasons for doing this is that it is easy to make use of the plumbing and drainage that currently exists. It also makes it most convenient to be able to leave the sauna and go directly to the shower, which is recommended after a sauna session.

It’s not always possible or practical to have the sauna installed next to the bathroom, so the next best option may be the basement. It really isn’t difficult to develop an area of space in the basement to house the sauna. Many find that once they do this, they extend this living space. Additionally, the sauna makes the space a great place to have social gatherings and enjoy having friends and family over.

There are those that simply don’t want to have the sauna indoors for a variety of reasons. There are some that want to enhance their outdoor living space and extend its enjoyment by having an outdoor sauna installed. The sauna can be put close to the outdoor swimming pool or swim spa. A quality outdoor sauna will bring no challenges when it comes to the weather conditions as this can be used all year round.

Once the decision is made to purchase a sauna, there should be very little difficulty in finding the best space for it. One can begin by taking a look at the different styles and models of saunas to help them make their decision for installation.

Is a Traditional or Infra Red Sauna Better?

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If you are thinking about investing in a sauna, you are going to find that there are plenty of choices available to you. One of these that will be most important is whether you want to get a traditional sauna versus an infrared sauna. The first step is to find a reputable dealer that can offer you these choices and also give you all the information that you need to make an informed decision. What it is going to come down to is not which is better, but which you prefer.

If you really enjoy high temperatures and lots of steam, you are more than likely going to want to get a traditional sauna. If enjoy heat, but with lower temperatures and less steam, you may want to take a close look at the infrared sauna.

The first thing to understand is that both of these saunas come with some similarities and a great deal of benefits. Saunas have been used for many different purposes, but the most common is for the reduction of stress and to be able to relax. There are many that find that it has given them great relief when it comes to the normal aches and pains that many of us experience. It has well been accepted that sweating is also beneficial for detoxifying the body.

When one is using an infrared sauna, they will find that the air temperature seems to be very close in regards to the humidity as what they would find in their house environment. With the traditional sauna the air is a dryer until the water has been applied to the rocks. One of the great aspects about the traditional sauna is that the user gets to control both the temperature and the humidity. This is done with the amount of water that is applied to the rocks.

With the infrared saunas you are still able to control the temperature, but don’t have as much control over the humidity.

For those that are watching their weight, they might find that there are some benefits for this as perspiring also helps to burn calories.

Even though the temperature appears to be lower in the infrared sauna, the user will still feel hot and will sweat. For those that really want to be able to spend a longer time enjoying their sauna, the infrared sauna is a good choice.

How Beneficial is a Sauna For Your Skin?

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There are many reasons for making use of a sauna including how it can help your skin. During a sauna session, when you begin to perspire, it helps to open up the pores of the skin. As it opens the pored, it helps to loosen up any of the debris that may caught inside, making it easy for them to be cleaned out through the sweating process.

Anyone that suffers from acne is well aware of the difficulty of cleaning out the pores with other methods and the damage that this build up of debris can cause to the skin. Once you have completed your sauna session, it’s important to take a thorough shower afterwards. This helps to remove the sweat buildup and debris from the pores. During your shower, it’s ideal to use a sponge or a soft bath scrub.

While many acne sufferers are finding that the sauna is providing an excellent treatment for their problem, there are many other benefits to the skin that the sauna can produce. One of the things that that the skin requires is good blood circulation and oxygen. The sauna is really beneficial for increasing the blood circulation to the skin, which provides the much needed oxygen. Many sauna users find that their skin has a beautiful glow after using the sauna.

Another factor of the sauna is that it helps with the production of collagen. Collagen is what makes the skin have its elasticity and helps to keep the skin from wrinkling and forming fine lines. By increasing the collagen with the sauna, it really can act as an anti aging resource.

Once the follow-up shower has been completed and the skin has been towel dried, using a good moisturizer will really benefit the skin. Over a period of time, many sauna users find that there has been a great deal of improvement in their skin.

Choosing Between a Sauna or a Steam Room

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If you find that the sauna or steam room options appeal to you, your next decision is which one of these options is the right one for you. Saunas and steam rooms do have some similarities, but are not identical. Knowing the differences will help you make your decision.

Saunas:

Sauna walls are usually made of wood and you may have the option of both dry and wet sessions. In some models, the stove that is used to generate the heat is located within the sauna unit. The temperature of the sauna is usually between 70°C-100°C (158°F – 212°F). People who enjoy saunas usually find that it is most beneficial for helping to stimulate their muscles and reduce stress levels. Some have found that it helps to create better cardiovascular health and may notice a reduction in blood pressure.

The biggest difference is the sauna does not produce nearly the same humidity that a steam room does. You will also find that when you are reviewing which sauna you want to purchase that you will have to choose between the conventional models or the infrared version. The conventional saunas work through warming the air. The infrared saunas focus on heating objects like stones, for example.

Steam rooms:

A steam room creates high heat with a high level of humidity. The walls are usually made of porcelain, ceramic or granite tiles. In many cases, the steam is generated from an external steam generator. The temperature is usually around 40°C (115°F to 120°F). A lot of people enjoy steam room because they help improve their respiratory system, while relieving sinus congestion. They also find that it detoxifies their body and enhances their skin, similar to saunas.

Making the decision

While there are some differences in the delivery of the heat process in the sauna and steam rooms, the results they produce for the body are similar. They both assist in increasing blood flow to the skin. Each of these has the ability to dilate the blood vessels and improve circulation. They each have their own way of promoting relaxation and reducing stress.

What it really comes down to when making the final decision between the steam room or the sauna is your preference as to whether you like your heat in a dry or wet form. When it comes to the actual experience, you also have the warm cozy feeling of the sauna, which is comprised of wood, or the cool refreshing sleek look of the porcelain, ceramic or granite tiles.

Does A Sauna Help Those With RA?

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RA is a form of arthritis known as rheumatoid arthritis. It creates a large number of disabilities for individuals throughout many different countries. It is an affliction that can affect either gender at any age.

For those that suffer with this illness their priority becomes looking for some form of pain relief. In many cases, they have to resort to prescriptions to help with this. The problem is they are now faced with many side effects that come with the drugs used for the pain relief. More people are now looking for natural methods and alternatives to help not only reduce the pain caused from the RA but to increase their mobility.

There are a lot of people that have begun to rely on the heat therapy that a sauna can offer. They have found that there are several benefits of saunas. One of the most significant ones is they find that there is some temporary relief from their pain and as a result of this, they are becoming more mobile. They also find that the heat from the sauna allows for detoxification of some of the toxins that have built up in their body.

For those that have turned to a sauna to assist them with some relief with their rheumatoid arthritis, they are finding that by using it on a consistent and scheduled basis that their quality of life is increasing. This is because their pain is reduced and they can get around a little more than they originally could. With the relief of pain and increased mobility, it allows them to be more active which in itself may be beneficial to helping reduce the effects of the rheumatoid arthritis.

Not only does it play an important physical factor, but it plays a mental role as well. With the reduction of pain and not being so restricted, they have a better mental outlook, and get to enjoy some of the things in life that the RA was preventing them from doing.

Researchers are stating that the benefits of sauna bathing come from the temporary increase of noradrenaline, adrenaline, cortisol, as well as endorphins that take place during the sauna bathing. All of these have anti-inflammatory properties. The endorphins are the natural pain killer that the body produces.

Users of the sauna find that their mobility is better because of the beneficial effects of the warmth on the tissue. There are many others that use saunas for other ailments. These include those that have general aches and pains from sports related injuries or from the type of work that they do. Aside from the great benefits that the sauna offers to those with various medical conditions, it is a wonderful resource just for relaxation and enjoyment.