Traditional saunas are one of the most popular and commonly used at home. It’s a great type of sauna to choose whether you’re starting with saunas or want a full and traditional experience. But what exactly are traditional saunas?
In this comprehensive guide, you will discover and learn everything you need to know about a traditional sauna. This includes benefits and precautions when using one. This guide will also add some maintenance tips to ensure you can use and enjoy your sauna at home to the fullest.
What is a Traditional Sauna?
A traditional sauna pertains to two things: the traditional Finnish sauna and the steam sauna. Take note of this to avoid getting confused with the names you can find on the market.
This type of sauna, the traditional Finnish sauna, is made of wooden materials. It also uses wood to heat rocks that provide the steam in the sauna. The wood is burned, and as the stones are heated up, water is poured over them, producing steam and humidity inside — producing “wet” heat. Yet, this type has become more modern nowadays. Instead of burning wood and stones, newer traditional saunas use electric heaters to boil water and produce steam inside the room.
Its temperature usually ranges between 150 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes even higher. This high temperature can produce between 20 to 40% humidity levels. Wherein it induces the user’s sweating and other benefits.
Health and Wellness Benefits
When a person regularly spends time in traditional saunas, it offers many potential health and wellness benefits. These are mainly from the wet or humid heat inside that heats your body and results in further reactions. Here are their common health benefits:
Skin Cleansing
When you’re in a sauna, you’ll notice that it feels hotter over time. As a result, your body temperature will slowly rise. This will cause you to sweat profusely the longer you spend time inside the sauna. Sweat can help clean your skin as it passes through your pores, carrying grime and dirt.
Improved Circulation
Increasing your body temperature will also increase your heart rate and blood flow. That’s why many say that a sauna session is just like working out on a treadmill at a regular pace. Because of the heat, your heart will pump harder to circulate blood. This will offer other cardio benefits.
Stress Relief
The use of traditional saunas has been seen as a way to relax and relieve stress for a long time. It’s known to reduce the stress hormone cortisol up to about 40%, based on a 2018 research published by the Medical Principles and Practice.
Reduced Risks to Alzheimer’s and Dementia
There was a study found related to Alzheimer’s and dementia in 2017. They have observed that a high frequency of sauna bathing was associated with risk factors linked to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This is because there’s reduced blood pressure and inflammation and improved vascular function when you regularly take sauna sessions.
Reduced Soreness and Stiffness
The decrease in blood pressure and inflammation contributes to relieving muscle soreness. Moreover, the heat from the sauna can make muscles more flexible and elastic. It also helps with loosening up tense muscles, especially after a workout. Moreover, this can help ease pain from body aches and stiff joints.
Improved Mood and Sleep
A sauna session can help relieve stress, fatigue, and body aches. It can also ultimately help you relax, which can improve one’s mood. When you’re relaxed and in a good mood, you’re calmer and can enjoy better sleep at night.
Safety Precautions in Using Traditional Saunas at Home
Although there are a lot of health benefits from sauna use, it’s best to take safety measures to avoid any negative effects. Make sure to keep the following tips in mind:
Limit Your Sauna Sessions
Never spend too much time inside the sauna, especially if you’re a beginner. Start with 5 to 10-minute durations and add more time as you gain more experience. But, at any time, avoid spending more than 20 minutes. You can also do it per session to enjoy your sauna experience.
Don’t Use If You’re Sick
Remember, your health comes first, so never use a sauna if you’re not feeling well. Wait until you recover and are back in good health. Never use a sauna if you’re pregnant or have medical conditions like low blood pressure. It’s best to consult your doctor first and wait for further instructions.
Always Rehydrate
Heavy sweating in the sauna can lead to dehydration. You must ensure that you drink enough water before having a sauna. You must refill your body with lots of water to replace lost fluids to avoid health problems. So, bring extra water to drink before your session, between your sessions, and after it. Remember to avoid any alcohol as well. This could lead to hypotension, dehydration, arrhythmia, and even sudden death.
Maintenance Tips for Your Traditional Home Sauna
Saunas can cost a fortune, especially traditional ones. It’s important to maintain them so they last long. Here are some tips you can follow to care for your sauna:
- Wipe down the wooden surfaces after every session to remove any excess moisture.
- Leave the door open to let in fresh air inside to speed up the drying process.
- Don’t use paint, varnish, or stain on the wooden interior. Remember, the wood needs to breathe.
- Regularly sweep and vacuum the inside to remove dirt and dust.
- Once a month, clean the surfaces with warm water and a clean cloth or brush.
Conclusion
Traditional saunas are one of the best types of saunas in the market. They offer a lot of health and wellness benefits. But, to use it for a long time, you have to make sure you’re taking care of your health, safety, and, of course, the sauna itself. Follow proper safety precautions to enjoy every sauna session to the fullest.
You can check out our extensive traditional sauna collection. We offer various high-quality products with convenient and amazing features to suit your sauna needs!
