Category Archives: Sauna & Steam

Most people who enjoy sitting in the sauna or steam room for a little bit understand that it is beneficial for their long-term health, but have little real understanding regarding how the health benefits are realized. Fewer still recognize or understand the differences between the uses of steam rooms as opposed to the dry heat of a sauna.

Both have the same basic function of raising the heart rate and inducing the person to sweat to release of toxins from the body. The main difference between the dry heat of a sauna and the 100% humidity of a steam room is that steam adds dramatic benefits to the overall health of the respiratory system. The way both of these work is to cause the blood vessels in your body to fully dilate, which allows the blood in your body to flow much more freely. This and the toxin releasing sweat has profound effects on the body.

The relief from tension in the body, as well as the release of stress through the release of endorphins throughout the body are all benefits of using either saunas or steam rooms. The benefit often talked about is the weight loss that can be attained by “sweating off the pounds” by sitting in a sauna or a steam room. We have all seen the images of boxers and other athletes wrapped in material and sitting in a sauna in order to rapidly “cut” weight in order to be the correct weight before a fight. The other commonly talked about benefit is the positive impact on the skin.

By releasing the toxins in the body through sweating you have the added benefit of cleansing the skin by cleaning out the pores during the sweat phase. The relaxation realized post work out by sitting in the steam room or sauna is another great benefit for the body that is commonly recognized. No matter which choice you decide to go with, the benefits of the sauna or steam room are quite obvious and well recognized. The health benefits are only eclipsed by the added bonus of having a serious impact on the mental health by inducing relaxation and promoting stress free living. Both have excellent benefits and you can benefit greatly from either choice.

Many of the Nordic countries like Scandinavia and Norway have been emphasizing the virtues of saunas for many years. They have understood the benefits of using a sauna for easing muscle problems, aches and pains, as well as the benefits realized in the reduction of tension and stress.

Many serious health issues are also benefitted by regular sauna use. Arthritis sufferers have long understood and enjoyed the benefits of a regular sauna session as have sufferers of other chronic ailments, like fibromyalgia, anxiety and even depression.

While the use of saunas was once limited to those lucky enough to be able to hit the local gym or spa that housed a sauna, it is not simple to have a sauna installed in your own house or even backyard. To make sure that you choose the right sauna for your personal needs and situation, there are a few things one should keep in mind when shopping for a new sauna.

The different types of saunas makes choosing one a bit of an adventure, but the best advice is to determine exactly what type and style is right for you and for what you require it for. Do you want an indoor or outdoor model? After you have made that decision, the most important thing to do is to ensure that you are able to install that type of sauna according to local bylaws and restrictions. You may have to obtain a building permit if you are constructing a standalone model or even if you are adding one to an existing structure.

Contacting local officials to ensure compliance before you build will save you any aggravation in the long run. Another big consideration is the size of the sauna you plan to purchase. Do you plan on having friends and family over regularly for a good sweat session or do you mainly plan on using the sauna alone or with just the immediate family? Choosing the right size for your needs is essential as over or under building can become a pain that you want to avoid.

Choosing the right heat source for your sauna is another very big consideration. This again depends on what exactly you intend to use the sauna for. The traditional wood stove sauna may be perfectly fine for someone using the sauna more for pleasure as would the other available options, such as electricity or gas. However, if you are using your sauna for a specific medical ailment, the infrared sauna may be the best choice. You need to do some homework and decide which type will suit your needs the best and then check local bylaws and prices to determine if that is the right choice for you and your budget.

For sufferers of Fibromyalgia, the opportunity to experience any relief at all from the symptoms is welcomed. Studies show infrared saunas are very affective at providing relief.

One recent study took a group of Fibromyalgia sufferers who had not responded very well to traditional methods of treatment and who were experiencing high pain scores. They tested the patients with a variety of alternative therapies, such as physiotherapy and the use of an infrared sauna to see what relief they might experience. The Doctors also used a variety of cognitive behavior therapies as well to mesh different therapies together to try and get the most relief possible.

Some in the study received the combination of CBT, physiotherapy and infrared saunas, while other test subjects used only CBT and physiotherapy. This allowed the Health Care professionals to gauge whether either test group would benefit more or less depending on the treatments used. The studies clearly and optimistically showed that the patients in the control group who had the infrared sauna included in the treatment benefitted the most.

The increase in heart-rate felt during the sauna sessions allowed for decreases peripheral resistance, which means that blood can flow more easily through blood vessels. This increases both circulation and oxygen consumption, as well as increases norepinephrine, which is the stress inducing hormone released by the brain.

The therapy also stimulated the release of pain reducing beta-endorphins, as well muscle relaxation, which aided the Fibromyalgia sufferers who were part of the sauna test group. While the patients did not get to the point of being completely pain free, they scored much lower on the pain scale at the completion of sauna treatment than they had prior to the initiation of treatment. Scores lowered from the above mentioned high 7.0 to a much more manageable 4.8. While that is still a significant number, representing an existence of daily pain the treatment was considered highly successful as the patients indicated that rather than feeling hopeless and horrible, the benefits left them feeling only uncomfortable at best.

The functional capacity of the sauna test group was also significantly increased, meaning that they were able to complete more everyday tasks than they had been able to accomplish prior to the infrared sauna treatment. The study left no doubt as to the benefits of this treatment for sufferers of this debilitating disease. Hopefully, other studies will expand on the treatment of other ailments in the future.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.