So, you’ve made the leap and purchased your very own home sauna. Congratulations! You are very fortunate to have one to use at your leisure. Now it’s time for you to get the most out of it. How can you do that? By knowing the best practices and routines for sauna usage. In this article, you’ll find some helpful tips from a fellow sauna user to make sure that your sauna doesn’t just go unused. That would be quite a shame after all!
Incorporate Sauna Sessions Into Your Routine
The best way to make sure you’re using your sauna enough to make up for the cost is to incorporate it into your daily or weekly schedule. It’s helpful to pick a particular time of day that you’re going to use the sauna and stick to that, much like a healthy gym habit. Speaking of gym habits, if you are maintaining a thorough fitness routine then planning to go to the sauna right after you work out can be excellent timing. Many people find it really helps reduce the amount of soreness and fatigue they feel throughout there body to have a quick sauna session after good exercise. You’ll really need to make a point to drink plenty of water though, as exercise takes a lot out of you and a sauna certainly does too. It can actually be very dangerous to sauna in a dehydrated state. Just make sure to get as much water as your body needs, and if there is any question or concern at all just speak with your doctor to clear things up.
Other great times to use the sauna include first thing in the morning, and in the evening. People who sauna in the morning tend to find that it helps wake them up fully, and leaves them energized and revitalized ready to conquer the day. On the other side of the spectrum, those who sauna at night find it’s a great way to decompress and that it may actually help them fall asleep and stay asleep better.
Pay Attention to Temperature, Humidity, and Time
Another thing to keep in mind is what temperature you’re operating the sauna at. They often take a long time to heat up, so it’s recommended that you preheat your sauna well before you get in to use it. Nothing is quite so disappointing as a sauna that’s just not hot. There is definitely such a thing as too hot though, make sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations and do your own research as well to make sure you’re not overdoing it on your body.
As far as humidity goes, some people prefer dry saunas while others prefer a little bit of humidity. As a quick primer in this respect, a humid sauna feels a lot hotter than a dry sauna at the same temperature. Also worth noting is that it really doesn’t take all that much water to increase the humidity in a sauna, so go easy at first until you get the hang of it.
Then, of course, there is the amount of time you spend in a sauna, and this is really where you’ll need to consult professionals, your manufacturer’s recommendations, and listen to the feedback from your body. You obviously want to get enough time in the sauna to get the job done, but you don’t want to overdo it. Again, make sure you drink plenty of water before and after your sauna to keep dehydration at bay.
Finish It Off With A Bath
A shower works just fine too, just make sure to get all that sweat cleaned off and you’ll be left feeling like a brand new person when you’re done. If you’re a little adventurous, try taking a cooler or even cold bath after the sauna. It can make your body feel amazing. It’s definitely not for everyone though, because you have to be able to put the high level of initial discomfort to the back of your mind.