Category Archives: Sauna & Steam

Winter can be a wonderful season, full of fun and celebrations and an end of term feel. However, it’s also a time of year when we can feel grumpy and anxious and illness and physical discomfort can be frequent. With a sauna you can really make the most of the season, no matter how it usually affects you.

1. Improve physical ailments. From a sore throat to a blocked nose, spending some time in your sauna can help to improve many of the minor ailments of winter.
2. Get warm and defrost. The cold can get right into your bones and joints in winter and it can feel hard to get warm. The heat of a sauna is incredibly effective, seeping deep into your muscles and through your system to help you feel toasty again.
3. Sleep better. Poor sleep can impact everything, from the way that you feel to how productive you are. Regular sauna sessions have been found to boost cell activity and improve both the quantity and quality of sleep.
4. Give yourself a detox. Sweating is the body’s most effective way to remove toxins from the system and help to keep yourself healthy, inside and out. Whether you’ve been indulging in festive food or just spending too much time sitting indoors, a sauna is a great way to help give your system a detoxing boost.
5. Looking after your skin. Winter is the time year when many of us are prone to dry skin and chapped lips. A sauna can help to bring back areas of the body that are suffering, providing moisture to help restore a healthy glow.
6. Relax. It’s difficult to switch off at this time of year, especially with the constant news cycle keeping us informed about the latest COVID-19 developments. Take time out in your sauna and you’ll find it much easier to switch off. The heat relaxes you physically and you’ll get a rush of endorphins that will help to boost your mood.
7. Festive fun. Share your sauna with other members of your household and make it a sociable event that brings connection as well as all the physical benefits.
8. Give yourself a space that’s all yours. If your home feels overcrowded and noisy right now, or you just want somewhere to get away from devices and the pressure of life, the sauna is the perfect place to do it. The warm atmosphere will help you to wind down and phones and tablets must be left outside.
9. Give your body an immune boost. Regular time in a sauna improves circulation and has a general boosting effect on the immune system, improving the health of organs and helping to keep sickness at bay.
10. Use the time to plan. If you feel like you don’t have much headspace to think about the future then you could find this in the warm, dark calm of the sauna. Sit back, relax and wait for the inspiration to come as the heat relaxes your body and opens your mind.

Using your sauna in the winter has all these benefits and more.

Winter is coming – no matter how you feel about this time of year there is no escaping that reality. If you often find yourself dreading the switch from the warmer months to the colder seasons then maybe this is a good year to start doing things differently. Especially if you’re lucky enough to have a sauna at home there is a lot that you can do to make this winter not just more survivable but more pleasurable too. These are some of the reasons why we think you need to sauna in winter 2020.

It’s a mood-boosting experience

The winter blues are very common – the days are shorter and darker and there is less opportunity to get outside because of the weather. We also get less sunshine at this time of year and all that can add up to an experience that feels a bit gloomy. If you sauna in the winter then you can help yourself to avoid these kinds of feelings. Using a sauna can trigger a release of endorphins – these are the feel good hormones that boost your mood and also help you to relax. People who regularly use a sauna during the winter months also find that they have more energy, despite the lack of light and the cold outside.

Keeping healthy

There are many health benefits to regular sauna use, ranging from cardiovascular health through to helping to reduce inflammation. If you sauna in winter then you will also be encouraging your body to sweat regularly and this is a fantastic way to eliminate toxins from your system. In the summer we sweat more often and so we are naturally eliminating toxins on a much more regular basis but this just doesn’t happen in winter to the same extent. Unless you sauna. If you do then not only will you help your body become more efficient at removing what it doesn’t need but you’ll get the circulatory and heart healthy benefits of the sauna experience too.

Fending off the winter flu

Although you can’t avoid the flu – or other bugs or viruses – by spending time in a sauna you will be healthier as a result of the experience and this will give your immune system more to work with if it does get attacked. Plus, if you are suffering with a cold or flu then the heat of the sauna can be a great way to help clear the sinuses and make you feel more comfortable. Regular sauna use has also been found to have a positive impact on sleep, which is essential for illness recovery. Not only that but the high heat has also been found to slow the growth of viruses under some conditions.

From being healthier to helping to lift the winter blues and supporting your body through some of the toughest months of the year these are just some of the reasons why you need to sauna in winter – this year and every year to come

Across the world saunas are not just seen as a luxury but an integral part of daily life for many people. If you’re lucky enough to have a sauna at home then there are many health benefits to enjoy as well as the blissful feeling that time spent in a warm, dry atmosphere like this can bring. Getting the most from your sauna depends on whether you know how to use it – and what for. These are our top tips for home sauna use.

Using your sauna – the basics

Using your sauna in the right way will ensure that you have an optimal experience and can enjoy all the health and wellbeing benefits on offer.

• Prepare properly. It’s a good idea to have a shower before you take a sauna so that the surface of your skin is clean. Dry off properly and then drink a glass of water just before you’re ready to go in.
• Dress well. In a sauna clothes can actually make the heat less effective as they will trap sweat against your skin and start to cool you down. So, wear as little as you can in the sauna. For most people this will be swimwear or just a towel.
• Choose your spot. Heat rises and so the higher you sit in a sauna the hotter the atmosphere is likely to be. Make sure you’re sitting completely on your towel with your legs slightly drawn up towards you so that you don’t burn your skin on the surface of the sauna.
• Start slowly. If you’re getting used to the sauna for the first time then spending two to six minutes in there for each session is ideal. You can then start building up to 10-15 minutes when you feel more comfortable and used to the heat and the way it will make you feel.
• Give yourself time to cool down. You’ll get the most from your sauna if you go in for several rounds at a time but it’s important to make sure that you spend some time cooling down in between each one. Sit and drink some water to replace the fluids that you’ve lost, have a cold shower or take a dip in a cool pool for a circulation boost.

The way that you use your sauna may depend on what you’re looking to get from the experience. Saunas are renowned for their ability to relieve stress and relax muscles and using a sauna before bedtime can help to improve both the quality of your sleep and how easy you find it to get to sleep. Saunas will flush the toxins from your body and can be a great tool in getting clearer skin and helping your body to fight illness. They can also improve cardiovascular performance and help to burn calories.

Using your sauna the right way ensures that you have the best possible experience and that you get the most from what your sauna has to offer to your health and lifestyle.

If you enjoyed your sauna throughout the winter months but now you’re planning to shut it up until autumn then you may want to reconsider. In countries where saunas are popular and in regular use they are never closed for the winter. That’s because a sauna can help to improve health and lifestyle all year round and even has some summer-specific advantages that can help you to get the most from this warmer time of year.

Yes you can still use a sauna in the summer

In fact, you should. All the benefits that you enjoyed from sauna use during the winter are still there if you continue to use it during the summer. You might have seen an improvement in your cardiovascular health through regular use, for example, or have been integrating the sauna into a fitness and weight loss plan. Your sauna might have been a key component in a relaxation routine during the winter or with respect to helping to improve respiratory function or the quality of your skin. Instead of stopping sauna use when the mercury rises we highly recommend that you continue if you want to enjoy these benefits all year round.

How can a sauna be beneficial in the summer?

Other than the year round benefits already described there are some other reasons why you might want to continue to use your sauna in the summer. It may seem odd to go from hot conditions outside to a dry heat inside and it’s true that you won’t get the same ‘warming up’ effect that you do in winter. However, in the summer a sauna is a great way to help your body to acclimatise to higher temperatures. If you regularly struggle with the heat of summer and find that you’re just not able to function when it gets hot, spending time in your sauna could help your body to adjust. This is the approach that many sports teams take if they’re going to be participating in competitions in warmer locations.

How should you adjust your sauna use in summer?

The main thing to remember is that you might be stepping into the sauna already dehydrated due to higher temperatures outside. As a result, it’s important to monitor your water consumption and ensure that you remain hydrated while you’re in the sauna and in the hours afterwards. You can also opt for a cold shower after your sauna – or invest in a cold plunge pool to dip into after your sessions. This is something that is especially enjoyable when the weather is warm outside and which will feel very refreshing after the heat of the sauna.

As we move into the summer months there are plenty of reasons to make sure you’re still using your sauna on a regular basis. From general wellness to helping you cope better with the summer heat this year, using a sauna in the summer makes a lot of sense.

Summer heat can already feel like a sauna so why would you then want to use your home sauna on top? Here are 10 very good reasons why we think that sauna use in summer is actually a great idea.

• More endorphins. Studies have found that sauna sessions release endorphins (feel good hormones) in the same way that exercising does. Whether you have an injury that means you can’t be that active or you’re just looking for an additional endorphin release in each day, spending time in the sauna could help you to get it.
• Better skin. Sweating is the primary way that the body rids itself of toxins and this is something you’ll do in abundance in a sauna. This, combined with the increase in circulation can help to detoxify, remove dead skin cells, improve skin elasticity and release any tension, leading to overall improved skin condition.
• Reducing stress. Just because the sky is blue and the sun is shining that doesn’t mean that life suddenly becomes carefree. Your sauna is a calm and quiet space where you can relax into the heat and let the cares of the day simply melt away.
• Managing the heat of the summer better. Spending time in the sauna can help you to adjust to hotter days – nothing outside is likely to feel as warm as the 20 minutes you spend in the sauna heat.
• Better pain management. Whether you suffer from a condition such as arthritis or you have sporting aches and pains from a new workout routine a sauna is a great way to help ease this out of your body. The warm environment has been found to work wonders on aching muscles and joints.
• Supporting weight loss and fitness. As your heart rate rises in a sauna this can be a very effective way for the body to burn calories as your metabolic rate gets a boost. Whether you’ve been eating too much banana bread in lockdown or you’re looking for ways to supplement weight loss routines a sauna can be a useful tool.
• A boost to your immune system. Especially right now most of us are looking for any opportunity to increase internal immune support. Sauna time not only helps to clear airways thanks to the steam but also tricks your body into thinking you have a fever, which will trigger the release of white blood cells to fight off any infection.
• Relaxation and pain relief. Heat can have an instant impact on any inflammation in the body that may be responsible for discomfort and pain. It also provides a boost to circulation and helps muscles that may have been rigid to relax.
• Event training. If you’re planning to take part in an event in the summer – whether this year or next – a sauna could be a useful part of your training. Regular sauna use can help you to acclimatise to the heat so that your performance doesn’t dip when it’s warm.
• Holiday feels. The summer can feel chaotic and uncomfortable and your sauna can be a relaxing space in which you can escape, sit back and chill out as if you were on holiday.

From a relaxing space to a healthy environment, your sauna is a great place to be this summer.

Of all the things on your list to do this summer, using your sauna may not be up there. However, there are lots of good reasons to suggest that continuing with sauna sessions during the summer months is a very good idea. In fact, those who stop using their saunas at this time, or don’t use them consistently, often report feeling less well. A sauna can continue to deliver all the benefits that you usually enjoy, as well as a few more, and you don’t need to do much to adjust to summer use.

The benefits of sauna use in summer

Whether you’ve been using your sauna to support a weight loss programme, to help improve the condition of your skin or to help manage chronic pain, there is no reason why you shouldn’t continue to enjoy these benefits during the summer. You might also find that sticking consistently to your sauna sessions enables you to do more in summer weather, as the sauna will help you to acclimatise to the heat more easily. If you’re training for an event or activity due to take place in the summer a sauna may be an essential tool, as it can prepare your body to perform well in hot conditions.

Switching to summer sauna use

When the warmer months of the year roll around you can still continue to enjoy your sauna – these are our tips for getting the most from it.

• Take a shower before you have a sauna. Sunscreen can clog your pores and reduce the detoxifying impact of the sauna. Plus, when you start to sweat this can end up in a greasy, slippery mess on the floor.
• Make sure you’re hydrated at all times. In summer we’re more likely to get dehydrated and this can be compounded by sweating in a sauna. It’s always advisable to ensure that you get enough hydration during and after a sauna session and in the summer this is even more important. Adding a little salt and honey to your water or choosing coconut water can help to ensure that you replace the electrolytes that sweating can drain from your body.
• Jump into some cold water after your sauna. Whether it’s a cold shower or a chilly plunge pool this can feel really refreshing. It will also have the effect of pushing blood back to your essential organs and closing the pores on your skin.
• Don’t overdo your sessions. Stick to the 20 minute limit in the summer and get out of the sauna if you feel dizzy or sick at any time. If you want to extend your sauna use in summer then wait long enough in between sessions so that you have stopped sweating and cooled down before you get back in.
• Create a new experience for yourself. That might be some summery essential oils, investing in an ice room or a massage chair to follow your time in the sauna.

Using your sauna in the summer is a great way to make the most of the sauna and the season.

Many people believe that the Nordic countries are the experts when it comes to how to get health benefits from sauna use. These are also some of the coldest countries in winter, which has led to the common misconception that saunas aren’t used in the warmer months. However, what many people don’t realise is that in most Nordic countries people have a sauna in their summer house too. The benefits of using a sauna are there all year round so there’s no reason to lock yours up for the winter this year.

Why do we assume saunas are for winter only?

The basic function of the sauna is to increase the temperature of the human body. In the winter when we’re cold this can feel like a welcome change and many people assume that it’s only during the coldest months of the year that the benefits of regular sauna use can be felt. However, this is not the case. There’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy the feeling of warmth even more if your body is cold but when it comes to the health benefits of using a sauna these are available all year round. If you want to keep enjoying them then you absolutely should continue to use your sauna in the summer.

The health benefits of using a sauna in the summer

If you want to make like the people of the most sauna loving countries in the world then integrating your sauna into your lifestyle in the summer is an obvious step. There are a number of health benefits to doing this including:

• Helping the body to adjust to the change in temperature that summer brings. Regular sauna time can make it easier to acclimatise to warmer temperatures. That’s why many sports teams, for example, often commit to a sauna schedule before a big competition in a hot climate.
• General health and weight loss. Studies have identified that regular sauna use can result in calories being burned and contribute to an overall increase in weight loss. You may also find that spending time in a sauna helps to improve the condition of skin, as sweating is one of the primary ways that the body removes toxins from the system and impurities from the surface of the skin. If you’re looking for that great summer glow this year then a sauna could be the first step to getting it.
• Cardiovascular health and respiratory functions. Research has found that saunas have a lot to contribute to improving overall cardiovascular health and respiratory function if used on a regular basis.
• Better stress management. Heat has a positive impact on stress levels and so a sauna can provide instant relief from a bad day. It may also be a quiet environment in which you can find a few minutes of peace away from devices and other family members, which may also be crucial to stress management.

These are just some of the reasons why it’s a good idea to use your sauna all year round, including in the summer months.

If your new year’s resolution for 2020 is to lose weight and get in shape then you’re not alone. Millions of people all over the world make this a goal at this time of year and it’s a common theme among both men and women. There are lots of different ways to make sure that you hit this goal – and having a sauna at home can be really useful. Below are 5 ways in which a sauna can help to ensure that 2020 is the year you reach that weight loss goal.

1. Detox and feel better. Sweating is the primary way in which the body removes toxins from the system, including those that you may have absorbed from food, such as copper or nickel heavy metals. Sweating out your impurities by regularly spending time in your sauna will help to clear the lymphatic system, which will in turn increase energy for working out and help your body to be more efficient when it comes to burning fat.
2. Boost your metabolism to burn fat faster. Exposure to extreme heat or cold has a wide range of different effects on the human body. One of the most relevant here is that it speeds up the metabolism. In sauna heat your heart rate increases by around a third, which speeds up your metabolic system and helps to burn calories faster. You’ll need to spend 30 minutes a day in the sauna to see real benefits.
3. Lose the water weight. Another benefit of sweating it out in a sauna is that you’ll instantly drop the weight that your body is carrying in terms of excess water. This can be as much as five pounds in a single sauna session. This will gradually return as soon as you start drinking water again but can be useful if you want to swiftly slim down for an interview or event.
4. More effective breathing equals more capacity to exercise. The better your breathing capacity the more effective your exercise sessions will be. Any existing respiratory issues that you have can be significantly improved by spending time in a sauna. It will also help to increase respiratory function and blood flow around the body, so you’ll be able to work out for longer periods of time and also in a more intense way to help you get fitter faster.
5. Stay calm and stick to your resolution. It’s well known that getting stressed can cause us all to reach out for food, often treats that are high in sugar and fat. It can increase the levels of cortisol in your system, which will make you want more calories. Time in a sauna on a regular basis can contribute to bringing stress levels down, helping you to feel more relaxed and also more in control of your body.

We all need a bit of support with our new year’s resolutions – a sauna could really help you to get the most from yours in 2020.

Winter can be a challenging time for staying healthy. We’re exposed to fewer hours of sunlight and the weather is cold and often wet. It’s easy to get run down and viruses, coughs and colds can be annoyingly frequent. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a sauna then you have a very effective weapon in the battle against the health challenges of winter – there are a number of different ways in which it can help.

Reducing the impact of colds and flu

Research has found that regular use of a sauna during the winter months can actually reduce the number of coughs and colds suffered at this time of year. Regularly spending 10 – 15 minutes in the sauna at around 90 degrees C will encourage more rapid production of white blood cells in the body. These are essential for helping you to fight off infections and colds. The increase in body temperature is also thought to help reduce the impact of bugs by killing them before they can affect your body. If you do end up with a cold then using your sauna can help to alleviate some of the symptoms, especially when it comes to congestion.

No more SAD

It’s not just the physical impact of this time of year that can be challenging but the mental and emotional effects too. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is common in winter and most of us will feel a little blue or sluggish at some point. When you use a sauna your body releases endorphins, which naturally flood the system with good feelings. They can help to reduce pain and also produce a feeling of wellbeing. If your winter blues are being triggered by a lack of sleep then spending time in the sauna before bed could not only help you to get to sleep more easily but also improve the quality of your sleep too.

Looking and feeling healthier

If there is one thing that your body is guaranteed to do in a sauna it’s sweat. Sweat is the most effective method that the human body has for detoxifying and regularly being in a sauna and sweating it out will help your body to process impurities and flush them out of your system. The heat of a sauna works to increase the core temperature of the body – that’s the point at which sweating starts. Blood vessels begin to dilate, flushing out impurities, and the pores on your skin open, allowing it to breathe. The overall result is that you’ll not only feel healthier but look it too. At a time of year when many of us are suffering from dry, dull skin and cold, aching limbs, the heat of the sauna can help to give you a physical boost.

These are just some of the ways in which a sauna can help you to stay healthier this winter. Regular sauna time will give you an essential boost, both in terms of body and mind.