All About Saunas

by: JohnJohnson
Total views: 4
Word Count: 571

The sauna has been cherished by man since ancient times, and is still loved today. What is it that makes the sauna such a timeless pleasure?

The purpose of a sauna is to provide wet or dry heat sessions that promote both relaxation and perspiration. This takes place in a small room where bathers remove their clothing and assume a comfortable position while the hot temperature (greater than 80 C) penetrates their pores. The opening of the pores and sweating make it possible for impurities to easily be removed from the body. The detoxification has not only physical benefits, such as an improved immune system, but also psychological benefits, including a reduction in stress.

"Sauna" is world that developed in ancient Finland and means a traditional Finnish bath. The earliest saunas were dug in slopes in the ground and used by the Finns to keep warm during the cold winter months. Stones were heated to very high temperatures and water was poured over them in order to create heat and moisture in the form of steam. Because of the extreme heat, individuals would remove their clothes for comfort.

As time passed, the sauna evolved and began to feature a metal woodstove along with a chimney. Steam vapor was also generated by spraying water onto the heated stones. Air temperature was typically set between 70 and 80 degrees Celsius but on occasion exceeded as much as 90 degrees Celsius.

The steam vapor and high heat caused bathers to sweat a great deal. Historically, the Finns used a vihta, a bundle of birch branches with small fresh leaves. They would bind the branches together and use it to gently swat themselves and other bathers. Many bathers continue to practice this today because the vihta stimulates the pores and cells, therefore improving blood circulation. Also, the pleasant birch scent aides in relaxation.

Saunas provide stress relief in two ways. One is the natural relaxation you'd experience when spending time in a dry or wet sauna. The other way in which a sauna relieves stress is by releasing chemicals from the body. When your skin heats up during a bath, large quantities of chemicals that cause stress are expelled from the body. Thus, in addition to reducing the amount of chemicals in the body, the sauna bath also slows the formation of chemicals.

The opening of the pores also makes it easier to remove toxins from the body. Toxins travel through your sweat glands and are released with your perspiration. As noted earlier, a sauna creates a high amount of perspiration and therefore is excellent for detoxification.

The Finns keep the rich history of the sauna alive today by making it a part of their daily ritual. In Finland, saunas are considered to be a natural and effective way of refreshing both the mind and spirit. There was a time in history when members of a Finnish family would bather together in their sauna at home. Another interesting fact about the Finns is that many Finnish women used to give birth in the sauna!

When the Finns migrated to the different parts of the globe they shared their knowledge of sauna designs and customs. They taught other cultures about the sauna's health benefits which helped the sauna to evolve further. Eventually, this led to the development of electric sauna stoves and far infrared saunas which became quite popular. Since then various cultures around the world have been recognizing, adopting and improvising the sauna.

About the Author

Stop and take a look at what of all the latest information on portable sauna, sauna heaters, outdoor sauna kits and dry portable sauna for your home. whether your are looking for an portable indoor sauna or outdoor sauna we have what you need.  

More Articles from: Fitness