I’d forgive you for thinking that because I’m from the Caribbean I don’t mind the heat. Well, I do mind. Still, I appreciate a sauna sesh. I began weekly saunas in my early 30s it was a perk of my gym membership. Eventually, I moved house and changed gyms. Suddenly, I didn’t have access to a sauna for years! Flashforward to the present day, I’ve moved into my forever home and joined a gym with a sauna. Now, using the sauna is part of my health and wellbeing regime. Middle age and menopause have brought with them achy joints and crap sleep. Going to the sauna after aqua aerobics is a wonderful treat that guarantees blissful rest. I’ve noticed sauna facilities are popping up in cities and near the seaside. If you have not tried one yet, I’ve got you. Here’s all you need to know about sauna therapy.
What Is A Sauna?
Saunas are therapeutic, heated, enclosed, unpainted wood-lined rooms. Their size varies, and the seating inside can be stools or bleachers. The intense heat generated within the sauna encourages detoxifying perspiration, relief from aches and pains, and deep relaxation.
There are sauna rituals around the world. However, for this blog look let’s look at the Finnish-style and infrared sauna therapy.
Types Of Saunas
The Finnish Sauna Society recognises 3 main types of saunas: wood, smoke, and electric. They’re named according to their heat source, and each will give you a slightly different experience. For example, the wood burning and electric saunas are normally warmed to 80-110°C (176-230°F).
Smoke saunas on the other hand, although they might feel just as warm, may only reach 60°C (140°F). This is because their higher humidity makes them feel hotter than they are.
Finally, the infrared sauna uses light to make heat. “This type of sauna is sometimes called a far-infrared sauna. “Far” describes where the infrared waves fall on the light spectrum. A regular sauna uses heat to warm the air, which in-turn warms your body. An infrared sauna heats your body directly without warming the air around you.”
The temperature of an infrared sauna usually get to between 120˚F and 140˚F (49°C and 60°C)
Benefits of Sauna Therapy
Although, more research is needed, some studies have shown that there are many benefits to sauna therapy. The list below is just some of them:
- Cardiovascular health
- Arthritis relief
- Chronic Pain relief
- Mental Wellbeing
- Lung and airway health
- Muscle repair
- Detox
After the heat of the sauna, a cold plunge or cold shower usually follows. I tend go for swim in the pool. I don’t have the fortitude for the ice cold water.
NB: Always check with your GP before trying new therapies, especially if you have a health concern, on medication or are pregnant.
Find A Sauna Near You
Saunas are popping up all over the country in the cities like London’s King Cross Slomo and by the seaside like Brighton’s Beach Box Saunas and the South Sea Sauna in Hampshire.
Also dotted around east and south east London are the Community Sauna Baths located in Hackney, Stratford, Peckham and Bermondsey.
However, if you want to escape the every day, why not try a wild sauna! The Wild Sauna website can help find one that suits your needs. The website has a map of wild sauna locations.
Get Social
Would you try going to the sauna this year? Comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Finally, if you like this, check out my other wellbeing posts.
Be sure to follow on me Instagram @MsXpat and @xpatathome
Feature Image: Filipp Romanovski via Pexels.com Hot Stones Photo: HUMM via Pexels.com
