Steam Bath - Who Says You Cannot Have A Steam Bath in Your Own Home?

Steam baths have been a popular form of bathing for thousands of years. Known to the ancient Greeks, they also have long traditions in both Turkey and Russia.

Steam baths can be found in most spas and gyms today. They are also becoming increasingly popular for home installation. Thanks to recent developments in steam generator technology, steam baths can be installed in almost any residential bathroom.

Are a steam bath, steam shower, and steam sauna all the same thing? Strictly speaking, a steam bath is an enclosure which is kept at about 45°C. It is fed with a steam generator that produces thick vapor mists. A steam shower is almost the same as a steam bath but on a smaller scale. Usually just big enough for one or two people, it can be installed in a standard shower stall. Steam showers are often used for residential steam baths.

A steam bath is sometimes called a steam sauna, but a true sauna is actually a different type of bath. A Finnish sauna produces a dry heat that is much hotter than a steam bath. Saunas are usually heated between 70°C and 100°C. Steam is produced in a sauna by pouring water over hot rocks, though the air is usually quite dry at about twenty percent humidity as compared to one hundred percent humidity in a steam bath.

Many people would like to have a steam shower installed in their house but are concerned about the build-up of humidity. If you have a fairly modern bathroom with an enclosed shower stall, a steam shower is feasible without any concerns about excess humidity. Without an enclosed shower, the room has to be fairly well sealed to prevent the steam from escaping and to prevent moisture damage to the surrounding structure.

Existing bathtubs can be modified to accommodate a steam shower if no enclosed shower stall is present. If you have a large bathroom, installing a separate steam shower is another alternative.

The steam generator does not have to be in the bathroom. It can be installed up to 40 feet away from the steam shower. The generator needs an adequate electrical connection, and some models also need to be connected to a drain. The steam generator is connected to a steam head which is installed in the bath itself. Some steam heads have built in controls while others are controlled by an external unit. It is more convenient to have the controls on the inside to be able to make any needed adjustments.

It is wise to install some kind of seating in a steam bath, since they are so relaxing and you are likely to spend more time there than in a traditional shower. The steam heads should be installed away from the seating area to reduce the possibility of being scalded with the hot steam.

All of this installation work requires specialized plumbing and electrical skills. Before making the decision to install a steam shower in your home, consult with both a plumber and an electrician to find out if it can be done within your budget.

For more information about how a home steam shower can provide a simple and enjoyable way to improve your overall health visit http://www.the-home-sauna-center.com

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Hot Sauna, Hot Tips

There are many different ways to enjoy a sauna bath, regardless of whether the setting of that sauna bath is in a traditional hot Finnish sauna room or a modern, state-of-the-art far infrared sauna cabin. And, as so many veteran sauna enthusiasts discovered soon after they first began taking sauna baths, it doesn't take long for a novice sauna bather to learn how to ensure that his or her every session in the sauna is a safe, pleasurable experience. Here are just a few tips to help you reap the greatest rewards in your sauna:

1. Sauna bathing is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders or pulmonary diseases, and anyone who is pregnant or has multiple sclerosis, hyperthyroidism, hypertension should consult a qualified health professional before using a sauna. If you have any other health concerns, a talk with your doctor may help to put any worries regarding your use of a sauna to rest.

2. Do not use the sauna while under the influence of any type of alcohol, drugs, anticoagulants, antihistamines, vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, stimulants, hypnotics, narcotics or tranquilizers.

3. Avoid eating heavily before you take your sauna bath. If you do eat beforehand, wait at least an hour before beginning your sauna session.

4. Remove all metal objects, such as watches and eyeglasses, and jewelry from your body prior to entering the sauna.

5. Do not wear contact lenses in the sauna.

6. Take a shower before entering the sauna, and be sure to dry your body completely after you wash yourself.

7. Drink some mineralized water before your sauna.

8. Bring at least two towels, one for sitting or lying on and wrapping in and another for drying off afterwards. Don't try to dry a clean body with a towel soaked in sweat.

9. Sauna etiquette and sauna customs can vary greatly from country to country, especially regarding what to wear in the sauna and whether men and women can bathe in the same sauna at the same time. If you are visiting a public sauna, be aware of what the applicable rules, customs and protocols are. If you are bathing alone in your own home sauna, though, feel free to wear whatever will make you most comfortable, be it a swimsuit, a towel, or nothing at all.

10. Allow yourself a reasonable amount of time for your session. The sauna is no place for anyone in a rush. For many enthusiasts, a typical sequence consists of: a warm shower; 15 minutes in the heat; a cool shower and optional dip in a swimming pool, lake or pond, and then a 10 to 30 minute rest. Most fans repeat this sequence, or one similar to it, many times during a morning, afternoon or evening. People with heart problems or high blood pressure, however, are advised to avoid swimming in cold water after their sweat bath.

11. Don't smoke in the sauna. Also, if you are bathing with other people, realize that the door should not be kept open so long that it cools the place for those sharing it with you. In a traditional Finnish sauna, courtesy also dictates that you be considerate of others when you're tossing water on the rocks.

12. It goes without saying that a bather would be unwise to engage in sexual activity amid the intense heat of the bath. Also, to do it in front of other bathers might be viewed by some as being very rude.

13. Leave the sauna immediately if you feel faint or dizzy. One of the most important principles to follow when you are in the sauna is to listen to the messages your body sends you. A sauna bath should never be considered as a test of your endurance, so respect your body and its limitations.

14. To prevent dehydration, be sure to replenish your fluids after you come out. Drinking mineralized water is recommended, although some bathing enthusiasts believe a beer can be quite refreshing. Just don't drink any alcohol while you're inside - only afterwards if you wish and, even then, not to excess.

15. Get dressed only after your body temperature has returned to normal and you have stopped sweating.

Follow these basic guidelines for a safe, satisfying and soothing soak in the sauna, and you'll be a veteran sauna enthusiast before you know it.

Pertti Olavi Jalasjaa is the author of the best-seller book,"The Art of Sauna Building," now an acclaimed guide used by 60,000 sauna builders throughout the world. Born in Finland and raised in Canada, he is a respected sauna industry founder in Canada and the U.S.A. The new 9th edition of his sauna book is available from his website below. He is the founder of Home Saunas Since 1974 Inc. and has supplied 32,000 high-quality saunas to sauna enthusiasts in 28 countries. Visit Home Saunas Since 1974 online at http://www.homesaunakits-since1974.com.

Pertti is passionate about the healthful benefits of the Finnish sauna and its importance as we age and need to counter the toxic substances we constantly ingest. You will be able to read more of his topics soon online at Pertti's Sauna Blog.

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