Saunas have long been present in gyms and health clubs to help us relax and recover and a hard workout, but what few people realize is how easy it is to own a sauna in their home and how much benefit they can have from one. It’s easy to build a home sauna and the advantages of having one so convenient for daily use are incredible.
The Greeks were the first to realize the benefits of temperature bathing and created what amounts to be the first steam rooms. It was the Romans who took the sauna to its height of development in the ancient world by building entire complexes centered around temperature baths. Thought the centuries the power of heat to help relax and heal has been respected and appreciated. There is no better way to unwind than to relax in a warm soothing environment free of the distractions of the world.
It was in the first part of the 20th century that the idea of home based saunas was first thought of. Items known as steam cabinets or “hot boxes” were sold by major catalog retailers as health improvement tools. They had a wide range of effects attributed to them and sold well. The units were basically metal boxes with a hole in the top that the head went though and doors on the front to step through. Under a wooden seat inside was a heating element and a water tank. The user could choose between hot and dry or hot and wet by simply omitting the use of water.
The debate over hot and wet or warm and dry has been a virulent one. These days it is the general consensus that hot and wet is best for deep relaxation and recovery from strenuous workouts, while warm and dry is best for mild to moderate daily relaxation and assistance with medical conditions. The truth is that the best type of sauna for the home user is the dry style since not only does it provide the best results for the casual users needs but it is also easier to build since it only requires a power connection for the heating unit and lights. This is unlike the steam room style which needs gas for the heater, electric for the lights and plumbing for the water.
If you want a moist environment from a dry sauna you can always add water to the rocks or place a pan of water on the grill. This gives you the best of both worlds. Of course there are major advantages to having a dry sauna that a steam sauna cannot accommodate. The first is the ability to read, watch TV or use a cell phone or cordless phone while relaxing. These things are out of the question in a wet environment.
The personal benefits of having a sauna are tremendous. Think of the joy after a long, hard day of being able to strip off your clothes and relax with a good book, or a long leisurely conversation with your spouse. Think of the advantages of having a pale to connect with friends and enjoy some peace and quiet with the newspaper. Most importantly think of how great it could be to have a place where you can reconnect with yourself.
There are health benefits to be had by the use of a sauna as well. Some of these benefits include a reduction in tension related headaches, a lowering of toxin levels in the body and an increase in the strength and response of the immune system. Some studies have also shown that regular users of saunas have less stress in their lives and are happier, this means that they are less likely to depend on “comfort” addictions such as alcohol, overeating or tobacco use.
There are also medical advantages to the use of pre-fab saunas. Doctors have long been in the habit of prescribing dry heat saunas to aid in respiratory illness and recent studies have shown that they are beneficial for the alleviation of suffering from arthritis and some skin disorders. This all due to the fact that heat is a healer and can help the body to deal with certain conditions. The heat of the sauna can loosen stiff joints, exfoliate the skin and relax the lungs to allow for easier breathing.
Having access to home saunas can have an amazing impact on the quality of your life. Owning a home sauna is fun, economical and offers a wide variety of benefits. If you have not ever considered the installation of a home sauna, you should keep it in mind, there really is not better way to relax than a sauna in the privacy and convenience of your own home.
Find the right home sauna to add to your home. Sauna showers and baths are the perfect way to unwind after a day at work and improve your health and mentality. Also available are infrared saunas, outdoor saunas, and sauna material kits.