Sauna Steam Bath Comparison

Often people wonder which is better for them, the sauna or steam bath? In this article we are going to examine both and compare them. Firstly they both use heat. Heat raises your heart rate dilating the blood vessels hence improving your blood circulation. Both make you sweat and as a result open your pores and clean your skin. However the degrees of heat vary from a steam bath to a sauna. This is where they begin to differ.

In a steam bath you have a moist heat resulting in more water in the air; the steam can be relaxing and stress relieving, even releasing toxins and free radicals that may allow for better overall health. Both saunas and steam baths relieve tension and relax the muscles.

If in the event you have respiratory problems the steam bath would be a better option for you. The moist heat helps to clear clogged sinuses and a stuffy nose. This can also benefit those with allergies. Because the steam bath does not get as hot, you may find it easier to breathe in.

The sauna on the other hand is in general a dry heat. This environment can get very hot. The sauna room has been known to reach temperatures of 175 degrees. This can be too hot for some and as a result make it difficult to breath.

In a sauna you will perspire heavily. A sauna provides a cardiovascular workout, it increases the metabolic rate and it also promotes healing by releasing natural pain killers, both provide you with health benefits, the difference between the two is the kind of heat and the level of heat. Your choice will depend on your own personal health and fitness goals and your level of comfort with either one.

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Learn more about the difference between Steam Bath or Sauna [http://www.all-about-saunas.com/Steam+Bath+or+Sauna.html]. Read more about the infrared sauna [http://www.all-about-saunas.com/Infrared+Saunas.html].

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Saunas For Health - The Many Benefits

A steam room, or sauna, is a place where steam is created from the contact of hot rocks and water. The sauna bath can be used for medicinal purposes that steam provides. The person who is taking the sauna can control how hot the steam room should be.

The opening of the pores in the skin and sweating are two effects of a sauna. The body gets rid of toxins and blood impurities as a person sweats during a sauna bath. There is a greater sense of well-being and muscle relaxation for the participants as the steam works in and around the body while in the sauna room. Normal blood flow can return and affect all body parts including the muscles and the joints, relieving pain.

Often people choose a sauna experience over other types of exercise because of the belief that it helps one lose weight. Weight loss occurs because the steam helps boost metabolism increasing it's speed and fervency.

Aiding in the release of tension, a sauna bath can help one to relax physically and mentally. For those who are in need of a good night's sleep because their sleeping disorder inhibits it, a sauna can be very effectual.

The fever-like temperature of the body created by the heat of a sauna helps to promote a healthy immune system. Laryngitis, colds, bronchitis and other ailments can be treated by steam.

Just thirty minutes of relaxing in a sauna is nearly as beneficial as a brisk walk. Depending on a person's physical conditioning, though, the benefits vary.

Though for some, a taking a sauna does not result in noticeable changes in health, it can serve as a time of relaxation, give a nice glow to the face and is a leisure activity to be enjoyed by all ages.

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Did You Know That Everyone Can Experience the Benefits of a Sauna?

If you have been considering adding a sauna to your home but you aren't sure it is worth the expense for the benefits it will bring you, I offer you some valuable information. Sauna room benefits can be experienced by all the members of your family, whether they are children, adults or seniors and even pregnant women can gain benefits. Let's talk a little bit about the benefits of sauna that each of these groups can experience.

Children

Did you know that children have a natural love for the sauna room as well as everything that has to do with water? As a general rule, if your children are over the age of two years, they will be able handle the heat very well as their circulatory system is extremely flexible. The increase in body temperature is very minute and children's bodies are equipped with the same number of sweat glands as we adults. Their young bodies are able to cope with the heat quite easily. Studies done with kindergarten-aged children who use the sauna have revealed increased immune function and fewer colds as well as an increased awareness of hygiene.

It is recommended that children be limited to the second bench in the sauna room instead of the top bench. The period of sauna use for children is the same as for adults but it is necessary to watch them closely. It is further recommended that care be taken to avoid overdoing the cold water portion of sauna use. Children can become chilled more easily as they don't seem to feel the cold water as we adults do.

Adults

I'm sure you have heard of the many health benefits of sauna, specifically helping high blood pressure, coronary problems and the respiratory system, stress management and even how beneficial the sauna detoxification process is for your body. The benefits of sauna will help you to feel better than you have felt in years - and will probably take away 10 years from your appearance due to the skin rejuvenation that takes place. Better health is always a great goal to have especially if you have children to care for and have the desire to see as adults with families of their own.

Seniors

The health benefits of sauna mentioned for adults don't stop because you're over 65. Seniors, unless you have a serious health situation, you can benefit from sauna use, too. Seniors suffer from slower metabolism as well as functional fluctuations in circulation, hormone production and the loss of inter-cellular fluids. These are the things that result in signs of aging. You can use the sauna room to rejuvenate your body. Even if you didn't begin sauna use before you reached your senior years, don't be afraid to start now. It is never too late to begin but it is highly recommended that you check with your health care provider before you begin to sauna if you have health issues. Profuse sweating can help eliminate waste from your cells, improves mobility and the skin gets a thorough moisturizing from the inside out. The hot-cold treatments involved in sauna use can help teach the blood vessels to be more flexible to prevent or improve circulation problems.

Pregnant Women

If you are pregnant, this is not a reason not to participate in sauna use if you have been a regular sauna room user. It can help regulate water in the body during pregnancy. This will help to decrease the swelling in the hands and feet that many women experience during pregnancy. Because the hot and cold contrasts in sauna use help the blood vessels remain flexible, varicose veins that often accompany pregnancy can be prevented.

The recommendation for sauna use for first time pregnancies is to wait until after the fifteenth week of pregnancy to use the sauna room. The only women who are cautioned against sauna use at all during pregnancy are those who are carrying more than one baby or those women who have serious health issues.

Truly, I believe you can see that every age group can reap the benefits of a sauna use.

This is an article by Carla Corbett who writes more about sauna health benefits at her website http://www.guidetosaunas.com

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Benefits of Sauna and Steam Room

A sauna is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions. The word "sauna" is also used to describe an unusually hot or humid environment. Saunas can be either Conventional saunas that warm the air or infrared saunas that warm objects. The temperature in a sauna room can be anywhere between 80-100 degrees Celsius.

Sauna is not a new word for us now. People have been taking Sauna Bath for years. Sauna bath whether Wet Sauna or Dry Sauna has multiple benefits. It is the best way you can relax your muscles at home, you don't have to go out in the sun. Taking regular sauna baths also helps to reduce excess fat as you sweat because of the heat. Infrared two people or three people sauna will have your friends and family getting together and having a great time.

I spent 25 years of my life in a hot and humid city. There I used to sweat anyways without doing any activity. When I moved to a city where it's usually cold I started gaining weight. I never used to sweat unless I go for a rigorous cardio activity. My muscles also started getting stiff. Then I used Sauna to relax them and SWEAT. The sweat cleanses the body by flushing out the toxins. And this eventually helps to reduce weight. This also keeps you healthy and fit. Some people have said that after using sauna they also felt very fresh. Sauna is a great stress reducer. It can also give relief from common cold, headaches and hangovers. People with sleep disorders such as insomnia and improper sleep condition can be benefited through sauna as it is very effective in inducing a good long relaxing sleep.

Some people may have some health conditions which may prevent them from using sauna. People with skin problems, low blood pressure, diabetics, bad blood circulation and heart disease should consult a physician before using sauna. Also there are some things to be remembered when using sauna, such as drinking plenty of water before and after sauna and using a moisturizer. The main risk of a sauna is staying in too long and fainting from overheating. This may happen with who have been using drugs or alcohol. Children should not use saunas without supervision. It is advised that pregnant women should also not use saunas.

Many individuals suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). This is due to the changes in season especially from summer to winter. Their mood is affected by those changes. One of the symptoms of this disorder is depression. Infrared saunas help to crate the environment of the summer with positive effects of sun rays. They do not include the negative effects.

Life today is busier than ever before. We need more work get done yesterday..What could be a better way than Sauna to get constant energy boost? You can call it a complete mental and physical renovation and get back on top of the things.

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Home Steam Sauna

Stress can play havoc with your immune system. Doing a balancing act between all our daily chores saps our energy and leaves us tired and lethargic. Soaking in the gentle heat of steam sauna can invigorate your sagging spirits and revitalize your body.

Even with all the benefits offered, you may not like the idea of rushing to your local spa every time you want to sit and unwind in sauna. If you use your local sauna very often it's time to consider installing one in your home.

Designers generally suggest having room for one to four people for in-home sauna. The rooms are made from good quality wood or board sheathing. Walls are not painted, as the paint may peel off or become dull with the high temperatures and moisture present in the room. Inside the sauna, dry heat is produced by the help of bathers pouring water on heated plates or stones. The stones or plates are heated by a heat source like an electric stove, gas fire, or wood. Some people believe that wood-heated saunas give a more pleasurable and authentic experience as compared to saunas heated by electricity. Heat generated in a sauna relaxes your muscles and causes perspiration, which in turn, cleans pores and leaves a radiant look on your face.

It is indeed a luxury to have your personal sauna at home. You can step in to unwind and relax whenever you wish. Once you have decided to have one in your house, you can choose from various brands and styles like the traditional sauna, the Finnish rock sauna, or you can even consider having an infra-red one. While having a sauna is considered an asset in a big house, it may become a liability if you happen to live in a small apartment. Moreover, if you plan to sell your property in future, the new owner may prefer having an extra bathroom instead of a space-occupying sauna facility.

Before you buy your personal sauna facility, make sure your family and you are physically fit to enter the sauna room. The temperature inside the sauna can harm persons with high blood pressure, pregnant women, older people, and small children.

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A Few Suggestions on How to Use a Sauna

Are you a novice sauna user? For all those beginners out there, let me first say congratulations on making a decision to do something that will change your life and make you healthier. Second, let me say that there are many different opinions and rituals that cover how to use a sauna but for the purposes of this article, for the apprentice sauna user, we will offer some suggestions about how to begin this amazingly healthy activity. As you become more proficient and knowledgeable in the art of sauna, you will likely make soon adjustments to your routine to suit your individual tastes. Now, let's get right to some directions on how to use a sauna.

1. Check with your medical doctor to ensure there are no unnecessary risks to your health due to the intense heat of the sauna room.

2. Make sure you have set aside sufficient time to enjoy your sauna experience. You will likely need 1 to 2 hours.

3. Take a shower before your sauna bath to remove oils, make up and other cosmetic products, deodorant and other things that might contaminate your sauna.

4. Next, you're headed for the sauna room. Take a towel to place on the bench or seat before sitting or reclining on it. Generally, saunas are done nude but, if you prefer, you may put on a bathing suit or just wrap a towel around you.

5. Now you're ready to just sit or lay back and let the heat flood your body. Feel the pores of your skin open. At first the hot, dry air of the sauna room may feel oppressive. If this is very bothersome, you might wish to try ladling a bit of water onto the stones of the heater (be sure to ladle the water on the stones not the heater itself). The resulting steam may make the room seem hotter but it will not feel so dry. If this is your first time sauna bathing, then you may wish to adjust your sauna temperature to around 176 degrees F (or 80 degrees C) and build up your heat from there. As you adjust to the temperature, if you desire a hotter experience, you can always move up to a higher bench in the room because heat rises and the upper benches will be hotter than the lower ones. If it is too hot, then you can move to a lower bench or just let some of the heat out of the room by opening the door briefly.

6. Cooling - this step is very important in your sauna bath. After 10 to 20 minutes, or perhaps sooner, you may start to feel too hot. This is the time to leave the sauna room and cool your body by either showering, jumping into a swimming pool or lake, rolling in the snow (if it is available) or just relax in area outside the sauna heat room. It is always a good idea to check with your medical doctor to get his or her recommendation on some of these intense methods of cooling. Always make sure that you have sufficient cool beverages (non alcohol type) to rehydrate your body during this cooling cycle. Alcohol can exaggerate the dehydration and it can cloud your judgment.

7. Next return to the sauna room and warm up again. This time, use the vihta (whisk made of tender birch twigs bound together) or wooden whisk to promote circulation. Swat your body gently from head to foot.

8. Repeat your cooling off period. You may wish to return to the sauna to warm up again before your final shower.

9. Shower, dry off and don a robe. Get another cool non alcoholic drink and lay back and relax while you cool down again. Since sauna bathing can dry out your skin, you may wish to apply a moisturizer to your skin after you cool down before you dress.

These are some simple steps to accomplishing your sauna experience. You will likely make some changes as you learn more about sauna use and sauna temperatures and season it with your personal preferences. Above all, enjoy the sauna benefits and relax!

This is an article by Carla Corbett who writes more about home saunas and sauna health benefits at her blog - http://www.guidetosaunas.com.

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The Importance And Benefits Of Steam Saunas

Many of us have visited a sauna probably at a public facility of some type. You may have enjoyed one at a motel you stayed at, but not really realized the benefits you were receiving at the time. Steam saunas can be very good for your body. Originally, saunas came from Finland and because they were such a sterile environment, many women delivered their babies in a sauna room. The word sauna is referred to as a sweathouse or steam bath and in the Finnish background, this was a family affair. Everyone participated in this rejuvenating relaxing event. We will learn some of the benefits and importance of steam saunas in this article and you will be surprised at the outcome.

A sauna works by creating heat of some type upon rocks that are placed in the sauna. This normal type of heat would be known as dry, but if you add water to the heated rocks, you will create steam saunas. Steam saunas will still make you sweat which is one way for the body to release waste toxins that build up in the body, but the steam will also open up airways. Sweating alone will increase circulation and cause the blood vessels to open more, allowing more blood to flow throughout your body which can promote healing. With the added effect steam saunas create, you will not only increase circulation, but open up your sinuses and airways as well.

If you suffer from bronchitis or have tonsil or throat problems, then more than likely steam saunas can help you. The steam that is created in the steam saunas, opens up the throat and airways that can become inflamed and closed off due to bronchitis or other type of virus infections. The steam will also open up pores found in the skin, and promote a further cleansing of the skin. You must remember that when you are in steam saunas, you shouldn't stay inside for long periods of time. The high temperatures in steam saunas can cause your heart rate to increase.

Steam saunas can be great for you, but if you have heart problems of any kind, you need to seek medical advice before entering. More than likely, your doctor will advise against being in one. The heat in steam saunas can cause a stroke, and the cool shower you would take after, can cause an increase in blood pressure. Either one can be life threatening to a heart patient, so keep this in mind before entering steam saunas.

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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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