Beginners Tips On How To Use a Sauna

There’s no wrong time to learn to use a sauna. Spending a few minutes in the high temperatures and elevated humidity makes many people feel lighter in spirit. Sauna’s can also offer benefits to your body and improve your health.

Whether you visit a sauna alone, with a partner, or alongside a group of friends, you’re sure to have an experience you’ll never forget.

How To Use a Sauna

 The first thing to know is what you should wear in a sauna. You have tons of choices here. Saunas are meant to be relaxing and calm spaces where you can let go of your worries. That means the most important thing is wearing something you find comfortable.

 Bathing suits are common in saunas since they can also be worn in pools or showers afterward. Some people add a towel to create extra protection from the heat of the seating in the sauna. A cotton towel helps wick away sweat and keeps you comfortable throughout the process.

If you prefer something more modest, loose-fitting clothes are an excellent choice. Think along the lines of shorts, sundresses, and t-shirts. Those who are using an home sauna can even choose to wear nothing at all. However, avoid wearing shoes in a sauna. If you want your feet covered, consider sandals or shower shoes.

Hydration in the Sauna

 Since you sweat while in the sauna, you need to be sure you’re hydrating yourself to replace the water you’ll lose. The best option is crisp, clean water. This will ensure that your skin and internal organs are replenished throughout the process. For the best results, try using room temperature water. The general rule of thumb is to drink about 48 oz of water throughout your sessions. Drink before you get in, while you relax inside, and after you get out.

Typical Sauna Session Length

Spending time in the sauna can be rejuvenating, but make sure you don’t stay too long. If you’re new to using a sauna, it’s recommended that you stay in only about five to 10 minutes each time. Those who are more experienced can stay longer but try not to push it past 20 minutes.

 Saunas can be dehydrating, which is why you need to watch the clock. Another rule of thumb is that you should avoid using the sauna for at least 10 minutes after a workout.

Watch the Temperature

Rather than starting at a super-hot temperature of around 140 degrees Fahrenheit when you step into the sauna, it’s better to take things slowly. Some people like milder temperatures and others enjoy the hottest sauna possible.

 As someone new to saunas, start at the lower end of the scale. Consider setting things at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit and slowly increasing the temperature. If the sauna is too hot, use the control buttons to lower the temperature. This gives your body time to get used to the new experience.

 If you’re feeling good and want to bump up the temperature, you can do that. Many people feel most comfortable at a temperature between 100 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pay attention to your body and how you feel when you select a temperature. Whatever is relaxing to you is going to be the best bet.

Make Sure To Cool Off

Once you leave the sauna, it’s time to cool down. Spend a few minutes in fresh air so you can cool down, consider using a flood shower, a cold water shower, or a plunge tub bath. Alternatively, for those who don’t want to be cold shocked, air cooling can be used.

When you alternate between hot and cold, it improves your circulation. Heat makes the blood vessels dilate to create better blood flow. This means more nutrients and oxygen reach your organs and waste products are more easily removed. This can help your kidneys, liver, and lymph glands work harder.

Coming back to a lower temperature makes your blood vessels constrict. This prevents your blood pressure from rising too high. Not cooling off after a sauna session can cause headaches since your blood pressure is higher than usual.

Studies show that getting used to the changing temperatures can help improve your resistance to illness, making it less likely you get the flu or a cold. In addition, the shock of the cold will make your body create endorphins. These hormones fight stress and make you feel great. They can also help you with sleeping and even make you feel less pain.

Make sure you take time to cool off after a sauna session for the best results.

Safe Ways To Use a Sauna

Most people can use the sauna without any risks, but it’s better to be cautious. In some situations, it’s better to stay away from the sauna for a certain amount of time. Below is some vital information so you can decide whether it’s time for a session or you should wait it out.

 Are you feeling sick? In most circumstances, it’s a bad idea to spend time in the sauna. If you feel unwell, avoid the sauna. The same applies if you start to be sick while in the sauna. It’s not worth it since you could end up feeling even worse.

 If you have been drinking alcohol or consuming drugs, this is also not the best time to use a sauna. Research shows that intoxicated individuals tend to experience many more accidents in saunas than sober people. There’s no reason to risk it.

 It might sound like a good idea to have a meal and visit the sauna, but it isn’t recommended. Instead, feel free to enjoy a large meal, but wait to spend time in the sauna. After a couple of hours, the food will have primarily moved through the stomach and intestines and you can sweat it out in the sauna at that time.

 The last thing to be aware of is that you should not spend time in a sauna if you are pregnant. Many doctors recommend entirely avoiding the process until after your child is born. This is because even short periods in the sauna may be bad for your developing baby.

 It also bears mentioning that you should leave the sauna if you start to feel sick. Step outside as soon as you begin to feel lightheaded or dizzy. If you get a headache or feel nauseous, this also indicates you could use a break. Extreme thirst is another sign from your body that suggests you should end your sauna session.

Final Thoughts

 Are you excited about the idea of enjoying a sauna? Then, there’s no better way than to acquire a sauna of your own. At Sun Home Saunas, we offer a variety of saunas to meet your needs. In addition, we offer both indoor and outdoor saunas so you can choose the exact sauna to fit your preferences.

 In addition, we offer a selection of sauna accessories to elevate your sauna experiences. Consider adding products that offer red light or halotherapy to increase the benefits you get every time you step into your sauna!