I used a sauna the first time in a long time the other day. I was with my friend who it was her friend time as well and we were so confused on how to use it and what to wear and what we should do so it inspired me to write this post!

Key Facts

• A Sauna is a room where people like to relax in dry heat.
• In may provide benefits for cardiovascular health that resemble those deprived from exercise
• Drinking alcohol before or during sauna use can be dangerous
• anyone who has a cardiovasular problem or is pregnant should talk to a doctor before getting into a sauna.

What is a Sauna?

A sauna is typically a room heated to between 158° to 212° Fahrenheit usually using dry heat, with a relative humidity that is often between 10 and 20 percent.

Fun Fact: As the skin temperature rises, heavy sweating also occurs. The heart rate rises as the body attempts to keep cool. It is not uncommon to lose about a pint of sweat while spending a short time in a sauna.

Sauna vs. Steam Room

The difference between a sauna and a steam room can be summed up simply — dry vs. wet. Saunas provide dry heat, while steam rooms generate moist heat. Both can open up your pores, loosen up your muscles and help you relax. Which one is right for you? It’s mostly a matter of personal preference.

The dry heat of a traditional sauna starts with a heater that heats up a stack of rocks. The rocks radiate heat into the room. Most of the time, you can pour water over the heated rocks to generate some steam and boost the humidity a bit. Saunas have a filter to help generate room air in and keep the humidity regulated.

In a stem room for example, a steam generator boils water into steam and releases it into the air. Unlike a sauna, a steam room is nearly airtight, so the humidity builds to 100 percent. The air is so damp that water condenses on the walls.

Saunas get considerably hotter than stem rooms although out body might not be able to tell the different due to the difference in humidity. They are built of wood for a reason; metal benches or tiled walls inside the searing heat of a sauna would burn you. Plus, wood absorbs moisture, which not only keeps the surfaces cooler but also helps pull humidity out of the air.

Possible Health Benefits & Risks

• Easing pain and reducing stress by promoting relaxation due to improved circulation
• A dry sauna dries skin during use and opens up the pores causing to detoxify the skin.
• People with asthma may find relief from some symptoms as a result of using a sauna. A sauna may help open airways, loosen phlegm, and reduce stress.
• A sauna use may also cause blood pressure to fall, so people with low blood pressure should talk to their doctor to make sure sauna use is safe.
• There is a huge risk for dehydration when using a sauna due to fluid loss while sweating

Precautions

Avoid alcohol: Alcohol increases the risk of dehydration, hypotension, arrhythmia, and sudden death.

Limit time spent in a sauna: Do not spend more than 20 minutes at a time in a sauna. First-time users should spend a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes. As they get used to the heat, they can slowly increase the time to about 20 minutes.

Drink plenty of water: Whatever type of sauna a person uses, it is important to replace the fluids lost from sweating. People should drink about two to four glasses of water after using a sauna.

Avoid sauna use if sick: People who are sick should also wait until they recover before using a sauna.

Cool down: Allow your body to cool down before anything. Just sit and rehydrate after your session.

Have you ever been to a sauna? What are your thoughts on it? let me know in the comments!

thank you for sharing your time with me!

with love,

c.p