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. The word sauna is derived from Finnish “savuna” that means “in smoke.”
In the early days, saunas were huge holes in the ground that could accommodate entire communities or tribes. In the center, there was a pit for fire. The hole was covered with a roof to prevent rain, cold, and heat from entering. Saunas have been in use since 1700 when public bathhouses were equipped with sauna facilities.
Saunas are used in both hot and cold climates. Though sauna use is a national tradition in Finland, it is also popular in other countries under different names. These include bania/banya in Russia; thermae in Rome; hammam in Turkey and sweat lodge in North America. Today, saunas are common in public sports arenas and physical education complexes of universities and colleges in North America. Very low humidity levels in the Swedish and Finnish Saunas, combined with high temperatures make the heat bearable for us as our bodies can not withstand temperatures over 100 degrees C.
Saunas have many health benefits. Sweating releases toxins from the body. Heat promotes white blood cell generation and improves the immune system. But saunas could be harmful for people with high blood pressure. A cool shower after a sauna may increase blood pressure. Saunas could cause heat stroke. In America, the sauna industry is expected to grow with increase in health awareness.
Wood saunas of the past have generally been replaced by electric and gas saunas, which are more environmental friendly. Finland dominates the global sales of saunas.
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A Look at Finnish Saunas
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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...
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The Benefits of Steam Saunas
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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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The Benefits of Infrared Saunas
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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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The Benefits of Owning a Home Sauna
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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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Residential Saunas
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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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Personal Saunas
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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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Portable Saunas
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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 Many Benefits of Using a Sauna
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Saunas cleanse and rejuvenate skin. A radiant and pink skin become a reality. Mental and physical relaxation is also a major benefit of sauna use. In addition, saunas relax sore muscles and help in relieving stress and tension. The sauna also improves one’s immune system,...
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Commercial Saunas
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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...