One thing you should know about saunas is the difference between a dry sauna and a steam room. Both are utilized for sweat bathing but they use various types of heat to achieve it. Dry saunas, as the name suggests, are using dry heat from a stove or hot rocks to heat up the room up to 195°F with very low humidity. Conversely, steam rooms have moist heat and they work at lower temperatures, which is at around 110°F with 100% relative humidity.
The health benefits of saunas
There are two major benefits that sauna goers can enjoy. One is relaxation because as the heart goes up and blood vessels dilate, there is an increased blood flow going through the skin. Saunas can also help improve blood circulation. These results in long-lasting benefits and may even help you have a better night’s sleep. Another key benefit is pain relief. Using a dry sauna can make you feel invigorated because of improved blood circulation, which, in turn, helps reduce tension in the joints and relieve sore muscles or muscle pain.
When to avoid saunas
Though there are great health benefits you can enjoy, certain health conditions are not compatible with saunas. If you have heart disease, asthma, epileptic, taking mind-altering drugs, with very high or too low blood pressure, check with your doctor first before using a sauna.
Finally, before entering a dry sauna room, remove anything metallic from your body. Whenever you feel dizzy, unwell, or have a headache while inside a sauna, leave immediately. And make sure that you rehydrate with several glasses of water after using a sauna.