Sauna
Bathing
Sauna bathing often claims health benefits that include detoxification, increased metabolism, weight loss, increased blood circulation, pain reduction, antiaging, skin rejuvenation, improved cardiovascular function, improved immune function, improved sleep, stress management, and relaxation.
Benefits of Sauna
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May reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and stroke
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May reduce the risk of certain types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
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May alleviate common respiratory ailments like asthma
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May improve pain for people with conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia
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May help reduce stress and improve quality of life
Traditional Finnish Sauna
Traditional Finnish Sauna. Historically people visited the sauna, which was originally a heated cave or pit, to keep warm during winter. Thankfully the traditional Finnish sauna has evolved somewhat since its invention. Nowadays a Finnish sauna is a cosy wood-lined building or room, warmed to a temperature of around 80°C (176°F). It’s a place where Finns come to unwind, whether that’s on their own or with friends and family. An integral part of Finnish saunas is a pile of hot stones that sit atop the heat source. While you’re in the sauna, you’ll see bathers occasionally ladling water from the sauna bucket onto these rocks. This creates steam and maintains the humidity of the sauna.
Get the most of your sessions
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Aim for four to seven 20-minute sessions per week in a sauna heated to around 80° to 100° Celsius (176° to 212° Fahrenheit). This frequency has been shown in research to offer the most health benefits—but even just 2 to 3 times a week can be beneficial!
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Build up your tolerance slowly. Start with 5 to 10 minute sessions and gradually increase your sitting time until you can stay for about 15-20 minutes.
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Drink a glass or two of water and take a rinse-off shower before and after using the sauna.
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Wear light, loose-fitting clothing or a towel.
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If you begin to feel dizzy, sleepy, lightheaded, faint, ill or uneasy, leave the sauna immediately.
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Always make sure someone knows you are in the sauna