You should always sit on a towel in a steam room for hygiene and comfort, ensuring your skin doesn't directly touch the moist surfaces, and it's often recommended to use slip-resistant shower sandals or go barefoot, avoiding street shoes. Bring a large towel to cover yourself and the seat, and consider showering beforehand to rinse off oils and sweat.
Yes, sitting on a towel in a steam room ensures hygiene and protects against hot surfaces.
In a steam room, it's best to wear as little as possible to allow your skin to breathe and sweat freely. Wrap a towel around your body. Also, if you're in a public or co-ed facility, a swimsuit, preferably a simple and breathable one, is also appropriate.
Although it is customary to sit on a towel in every other type of sauna, steam rooms are the exception. Although you can keep your towel with you, it will get very wet so it is best to leave it hanging outside the steam room.
The "sauna 200 rule" is a guideline for traditional saunas where the temperature (in Fahrenheit) plus the relative humidity percentage should equal approximately 200, creating a balance for comfort and safety, such as 160°F with 40% humidity or 190°F with 10% humidity. It helps novice users find ideal settings, though seasoned users can adjust for personal preference, but it generally doesn't apply to infrared saunas.
Beyond pleasure and relaxation, emerging evidence suggests that sauna bathing has several health benefits, which include reduction in the risk of vascular diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and neurocognitive diseases; nonvascular conditions such as pulmonary diseases including ...
This leads to a more restful sleep, which is crucial for overall health and well-being. In conclusion, the best times of day to use an infrared sauna for maximum benefits are in the morning to start the day, midday for a pick-me-up, evening to relax and unwind, and nighttime for a deep and restful sleep.
In summary, numerous clinical studies have shown that utilizing an infrared/steam sauna is able to remove many toxins through sweat; these include but are not limited to, heavy metals, phthalates, flame retardants, Bisphenol A, pesticides and PCBs.
Aerobic exercise is not recommended in the sauna or steam room. No food in the sauna or steam room. Please do not leave any personal items unattended in the sauna or steam room.
Sauna and Steam Room Etiquette
Make sure to sit on your towel. It's more hygienic than with your bare bottom on the wood or tile. Shower before you come in – Shower off after your workout prior to entering the sauna or steam room. You'll feel more comfortable and your fellow members will appreciate a clean environment.
Using your home sauna while on your period can offer direct relief from cramps and muscle tension. The heat improves blood circulation, which might help in reducing menstrual pain. However, because you're losing fluids during your period, it's crucial to stay hydrated if you're planning a sauna session.
In addition, the heat of the steam helps to stimulate blood circulation to your skin's surface. This means dead skin cells are removed and pores are hydrated, resulting in younger-looking and glowing skin.
Steam rooms and saunas don't technically burn fat, but they do help to burn slightly more calories than you would otherwise. The higher temperature causes your heart rate to increase, in a similar way to exercise.
When looking for what to wear to a sauna, whether public or a private spa, you'll find that a swimsuit is often appropriate. Choose a swimsuit composed of breathable fabric to maximise comfort and allow your skin to breathe. This solution provides coverage while keeping to the standards of many communal saunas.
How Long to Sit in a Steam Room. Steam rooms operate at a lower temperature, ranging between 110°F to 120°F, but the humidity makes the heat feel more intense. Because of this, steam room sessions should generally be shorter than sauna sessions—aim for about 10 to 15 minutes.
If you spend any more time, you run the risk of overheating and dehydrating yourself. Spending more than 20 minutes in the moist heat could cause you to pass out or dangerously affect your heart. It is also recommended that you cool off for about 20 minutes after a steam room session.
The "sauna 200 rule" is a guideline for traditional saunas where the temperature (in Fahrenheit) plus the relative humidity percentage should equal approximately 200, creating a balance for comfort and safety, such as 160°F with 40% humidity or 190°F with 10% humidity. It helps novice users find ideal settings, though seasoned users can adjust for personal preference, but it generally doesn't apply to infrared saunas.
Cooling off after the sauna is important because you can catch a cold if you sweat too much. Sauna-goers should leave enough time to cool down before warming up again. If you can, don't have a shower straight after the sauna. It's better for the body if you cool off in the fresh air first.
Common Sauna Detox Myths
While sweating releases some waste products, it plays a minor role in detoxification. The liver, kidneys, and digestive system handle the bulk of toxin elimination. Sauna therapy can support this process by promoting circulation, but it is not a primary detox pathway.
A 20-minute sauna session offers benefits like improved circulation, stress reduction, muscle relaxation, and potential heart health boosts by increasing heart rate and expanding blood vessels, with frequent use linked to lower risks of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and better pain management for conditions like arthritis, though hydration is key.
Bacteria thrive in warm and moist areas, making a steam room a hot spot for risky organisms. Contact with them can cause a variety of health complications, such as skin problems or upset stomachs.
In conclusion, while the research on saunas and belly fat loss is still emerging, preliminary studies suggest that regular sauna use could potentially aid in weight loss and fat reduction when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Eating and drinking before you take a sauna
The answer is yes, but in moderation. You shouldn't go for a sauna with an empty stomach as the body requires energy. A light snack such as fruit, yoghurt or wholemeal bread is the perfect option.