Finland is known for its saunas. A Finnish sauna is a room or small hut with temperature over 80 degrees C. When water is poured over the hot furnace stones, a steam cloud fills the sauna taking the temperatures to an even higher level. Sauna bathing in Finland typically lasts between half an hour and two hours. The sauna is often followed by a shower or swim in a lake. In winter, many of the Finnish rub snow on their skin after their sauna. Some beat their skin with birch twigs soaked in warm water to exfoliate and clean.
Using saunas is the most popular leisure activity in Finland. A visit to Finland sans sauna would be incomplete. The Finnish admire saunas for their healing properties. Millions of people in Finland use saunas and on average, each household has one sauna.
Saunas can be used to gather socially and relax with family and friends. In private settings, men and women often share saunas, while single sex saunas are norm in the public places.
In the past, saunas used to be wooden compartments near lakes. Wood was burnt under flat stones and arranged in rows, to produce heat. Steam was generated by pouring cold water on these stones. Usually temperatures in these steam huts ranged between 70 degrees C and 90 degrees C. It could go up to 120 degrees C.
In Finland, there is an annual competition to honor people who can spend the most time in a sauna.
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An Introduction to Saunas
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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A sauna is a bathroom, house or hut especially constructed so that someone can enjoy a steam bath. Generally, temperatures are more than 80 degrees C in these structures. Taking a sauna is a relaxing experience that leads to sweating, which has many health benefits....
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The Benefits of Steam Saunas
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One can achieve the best result from a steam sauna when the temperature is between 43 degrees C and 46 degrees C and there is a relative humidity of 100%. Saunas should have mist or steam. Hence, saunas must have steam generators and control systems...
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Types of Saunas
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A sauna is a small room or bathhouse designed to be heated to very high temperatures with well-controlled humidity. It is used for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. Saunas give great relaxation and health benefits. Also, the sweating delivers toxins from the body. Most saunas...
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Personal Saunas
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The personal sauna is a bathhouse designed for taking dry or wet heat sessions. Personal saunas help you get relief from the discomforts of asthma, allergies, sore muscles and joints. The vaporized essential oils help to calm your mind and body. There are wet saunas,...
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Residential Saunas
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Residential saunas are small rooms designed to enjoy wet or dry heat bathing in high temperature. These are found in most new apartments and modern hotel bathrooms. Residential saunas include one-person saunas, two person saunas, and four person saunas. Portable type residential saunas are also...
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The Benefits of Infrared Saunas
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Sitting in a sauna for a period of time will lead to sweating, which has many health benefits. Infrared saunas, specifically, are used for weight loss and relaxation. Infrared, a type of light, is used to heat objects in the sauna instead of air. One’s...
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Steam Saunas
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Had a difficult day? Time to head for a steam sauna. One of the most luxurious ways to unwind and relax is by enjoying a long session in a steam sauna. Your whole body enjoys the treat of hot steam, washing away tiredness from your...
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Portable Saunas
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Portable saunas are a great option for people on vacations and business trips. These are also ideal for people living in small quarters, apartments and condominiums. Usually, people living in small quarters may be unable to accommodate a permanent sauna installation in their room. Some...
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The Benefits of Owning a Home Sauna
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While a home sauna would seem like a luxury to most people, there are health benefits that make the price of it much easier to swallow. Saunas cause sweating which have many benefits including removing wastes from our bodies and regulating our body temperatures. Sweating...
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Commercial Saunas
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Found in most public sports centers, famous hotels, ski resorts, fitness centers, swimming pools, and other commercial facilities, commercial saunas are rooms designed to uphold dry heat environment with high temperature. These are found in varying size options. Commercial saunas require different design strategies than...