Picture coming home after a long, tiring day and heading straight into your sanctum – a tranquil place where stress evaporates, muscles feel relieved, and the brain becomes restful. This is now slowly becoming an achievable reality with the surge in the popularity of home saunas. Once exclusively reserved for spas and wellness resorts as luxuries, saunas are now slowly transforming into self-care essentials that can be found in homes around the globe.
If you are mulling over the idea of getting a sauna for the home but are completely lost, fret not. This guide will help you discover the benefits of saunas, the different types, how to choose the right one, and even some useful tips on how to set it up and maintain it. We are a step closer to turning your home into a wellness paradise.
The Benefits of Home Saunas
What are the reasons that you should consider placing a sauna in your home? The perks go further than mere relaxation. From improving your sleep to positively affecting your mental health, home saunas can impact your physical wellbeing remarkably, making it a great addition to your self-care activities. Here is what you stand to gain:
1. Stress Reduction and Relaxation
Sitting in a sauna and relaxing can help turn around even the worst of days, and that is not just a feeling. Heat therapy is shown to increase the feel-good endorphins in the body while also reducing cortisol levels.
2. Improved Cardiovascular Health
Sauna use has also been associated with improved cardiac health. The heat seems to boost heart function, increase blood flow, relax blood vessels, and provide benefits similar to moderate aerobic exercise.
3. Detoxification
Sweating helps in removing toxins from the body. Sauna encourages deep sweating which helps in removing heavy metals and other impurities from the body.
4. Muscle Recovery and Pain Relief
Saunas help ease muscle soreness or pain caused by exercise or working out by soothing stiff muscles and allowing for increased blood circulation. It also helps in relieving pain and soreness in joints.
5. Enhanced Skin Health
Heating the body in a sauna room leads to sweating which unclogs pores allowing for cleaner skin. The heat can aid with replenishing new collagen tissues on the skin providing a beautiful look.
6. Mental Clarity and Better Sleep
Using a sauna provides relief from symptoms of anxiety and improves mental clarity. One sauna session before bed helps in achieving a deeper and restful sleep.
Types of Home Saunas
Every sauna serves a different purpose which is important to note, the following is a list of some of the common saunas that might best suit your needs when it comes to space, budget, and preference.
1. Traditional Finnish Saunas
These saunas utilize electric or wood stoves to warm up the air and stones. Pouring water over the stones generates steam, which ensures you will have an authentic sauna experience.
2. Infrared Saunas
Instead of heating the air, infrared saunas utilise infrared panels to directly heat the body. Because of their lower operating temperatures, they are easier to use for beginners while still promoting healthy living.
3. Steam Saunas
Steam saunas or steam rooms are great for people who enjoy very humid weather. They are also beneficial in alleviating sinus problems as well as improving the overall health of the skin.
4. Portable Saunas
Foldable infrared saunas are an excellent option for people who do not have a lot of available space or are looking for something more affordable.
5. Barrel Saunas
Barrel saunas, as the name suggests, have a cylindrical shape and are primarily intended for outdoor usage. Not only do they look amazing, but they are also built in a way that allows for proper air movement and heat retention.
How to Choose the Right Home Sauna
Selecting a sauna depends on a person’s specific needs, and their choice must be made based on several factors to meet those personal requirements.
1. Space Availability
Can you accommodate space for either an indoor or outdoor sauna? While most traditional models take up more space, some portable versions can fit in smaller spaces.
2. Purpose and Use
What do you intend to do with the sauna? Is it meant for relaxation, muscle recovery or detoxification? Different sauna types serve different purposes.
3. Budget
What is your budget range? Search for different models within the given price range. Infrared and portable saunas tend to be more economical in comparison to traditional and barrel saunas.
4. Energy Efficiency
Infrared saunas tend to be more economical and energy efficient as they heat up quickly and work well at lower temperatures.
5. Design and Aesthetics
Just like any other piece of furniture, a sauna should blend well with the rest of your home. Choose a style that, modern or traditional, supports your design.
Setting Up Your Home Sauna
1. Pick the Perfect Spot
Decide where the sauna will be placed and make sure it fits your space. Most people prefer installing them in garages, basements, bathrooms or in the garden for outdoor saunas.
2. Ensure Proper Ventilation
To prevent mould and overheating, you need to ensure proper ventilation as saunas do create heat and moisture.
3. Electrical Needs
Most saunas require a connection to an electrical outlet or have specialised wiring integrated. When necessary, seek assistance from an electrician.
4. Assembly
Your sauna may come as a prefabricated unit or require additional assembly depending on its type. Most suppliers provide installation services so feel free to consult them if needed.
5. Accessorise
Finally, complete the look with sauna stones, wooden benches, lighting, and aromatic essential oils to really set the mood.
Safety and Maintenance Tips
For safe sauna use and to maintain the integrity of the unit, observe the following recommendations:
• Hydrate: Remember to drink enough water before and after using the sauna to avoid dehydration.
• Time Your Sessions: Limit sessions to 15-20 minutes, especially for those new to the sauna experience.
• Keep It Clean: Regularly wipe down all surfaces and ventilate the sauna to lower the chance of bacteria build up.
• Inspect for Damage: Take the time to check elements for wear and tear every so often. Should any parts be damaged, replace them straight away.
• Avoid Overheating: Place a thermometer in the sauna to ensure that the temperature does not exceed the safe amount for the specific sauna type.
Elevate Your Wellness Journey
Incorporating a home sauna into your way of living goes beyond wellness—it is a strategic approach to improving your health and quality of life. You can improve relaxation, physical wellness, and much more. The benefits of having the sauna are abundant. Any home can be turned into a sanctuary where you can unwind, renew and recharge with the right sauna.
What are you waiting for? Begin shopping for saunas and start building the oasis of comfort that you truly deserve.
