Saunas 101: Everything You Need to Know About Saunas, their Types and Benefits
What Is a Sauna?
A sauna is a small, enclosed space designed to deliver dry or wet heat sessions, typically ranging from 113°F to 212°F. This ancient practice, originating from Finland and Turkey, promotes relaxation, improves circulation, and encourages sweating.
Types of Saunas
There are several sauna types, each offering unique benefits:
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Wood-Burning Saunas
- Located outdoors and fueled by wood.
- Heat is generated via an internal stove or an external fire.
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Electrically Heated Saunas
- Equipped with a heater and rocks that emit heat.
- Users can splash water on the rocks for added humidity.
- Often referred to as Finnish or traditional saunas.
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Infrared Saunas
- Use light rays to produce radiant heat absorbed directly by the body.
- Provides deeper heat penetration compared to traditional saunas.
- Sessions last between 20-60 minutes.
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Steam Saunas
- Generate moist heat using a steam generator.
- Feature lower temperatures with high humidity for rapid sweating.
- Recommended session limit: 10 minutes.
Health Benefits of Saunas
Saunas offer numerous health benefits, backed by scientific research:
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Promotes Relaxation & Reduces Stress
- Heat exposure helps regulate stress hormones and induce relaxation.
- Sauna use may also improve sleep quality, with 83.5% of users reporting better sleep.
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Eases Pain
- Helps alleviate chronic pain conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia by relaxing muscles and improving circulation.
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Boosts Heart Health
- Regular sauna use reduces risks of heart attack, stroke, and overall mortality. Benefits increase with frequency.
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Enhances Respiratory Function
- Saunas can improve airway health, reducing the risk of conditions like asthma, COPD, and pneumonia.
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Reduces Inflammation
- Frequent sessions strengthen the immune system and lower chronic inflammation, potentially preventing diseases like heart disease and arthritis.
