The tradition of saunas goes back more than two thousand years. Its exact origin would be difficult to pin down to a single geographical location. The oldest descriptions can be found in the nearly thousand-year-old written memories of the Scandinavian peoples. Apart from the northern areas, saunas were of great importance to the Indian peoples (in the form of a pit bath or a sweating tent), as well as to the lives of the Turkish and Greek peoples.
When most people hear the word sauna, they only think of the Finnish sauna or the infrared cabin. Perhaps because these are the most common in Hungary. The tepidarium, the laconium, the caldarium or even the Turkish bath are less well known. It is a misconception that saunas are not recommended for everyone. The combination of modern technology and the wisdom of ancient times now gives everyone the opportunity to find the form of sweating that can safely enjoy its beneficial effects.
Let’s now compare the two most common forms of winter wellness!
The Finnish sauna
- Temperature: 90-100°C
- Time spent in the sauna: 12-15 minutes
- Humidity: 6-15 %
- Recommended time of use: 2-3 times/day
- Sweating: 10-20 g/min
In the Finnish sauna, the air first warms the skin, this stimulates the body’s thermoregulation system, and sweating starts. Dirt accumulated on the surface of the skin is separated, and then the waste materials of the body leave with the help of the sweating process.
Regular sauna use increases our body’s resistance to infections, keeps our heart in training, and thus also has a beneficial effect on blood pressure.
- Some good tips for the Finnish sauna:
– always take a shower beforehand
– let’s warm up our feet so that they sweat more easily
– afterwards, not only a cold shower or immersion bath is recommended, but also a few minutes in the fresh air
– a minimum of 10-12 minutes of rest is required between warm-up cycles
– if using a plunge pool, use a sauna sheet instead of a bathing suit, as the chemicals in the pool evaporate into the air
The infrared sauna
- Temperature: 45-75 °C
- Time spent in the sauna: 30-60 minutes
- Humidity: 40-50 %
- Recommended time of use: 1-2 times/day
- Sweating: 10-15 g/min
The infrared sauna emits a beam of a specific wavelength, which penetrates the skin and reaches the internal organs almost without loss. Its operation is similar to a microwave oven; it warms the human body in its path from the inside out.
In addition to its health-preserving effect, its curative effect is also important: anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, blood circulation-stimulating, slag-removing and immune system-boosting.
- Some good tips for the infrared sauna:
– let’s take care of the liquid supply
– between saunas, let’s not only refresh ourselves, but also ventilate the cabin
– wipe yourself dry after showering or diving
Openonline
The post Let’s be braver in the sauna! appeared first on .
Source: www.patikamagazin.hu
