The sauna, a healthy habit
The principle
The sauna is a small wooden hut or a room in which you take a dry steam bath. In this closed environment, a wood - or electric - stove heats some sauna stones that are located in a container. When these stones have collected enough heat (they are special stones, which do not burst under the effect of thermal shock), a ladle of water is poured over them to produce heat.
Unlike the Turkish bath, the sauna is dry, and has only between 3 and 20% humidity. This is why the temperature is higher: on average from 80 ° to 90 ° C.
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The rules of use
In the sauna, nudity is a rule: any dress or bathing suit would obstruct the evaporation of sweat and therefore create hygiene problems. On the other hand, you should always put a towel between the bench and your skin to protect yourself from the heat and absorb sweat.
According to the rule, a sauna must last 1 hour and 30 - 2 hours and include 2 - 3 phases.
It is imperative to start with a shower, soaping from head to toe. This first phase has three objectives: to eliminate germs and bacteria, to warm the body (especially the extremities) to avoid temperature excursions when entering the sauna, and to clean the skin to facilitate perspiration.
After this phase, the first step in the sauna can be carried out. You have to sit on the towel, preferably with the limbs (arms, legs, feet ...) all at the same level, trying to relax. Breathing deepens, heart rate and blood circulation speed up, and blood vessels dilate. When the sweat starts to run on the body, you have to get out. This phase, which should not exceed 15 minutes, is followed by another warm or cool shower. After a shower, you dry off and then lie down, allowing yourself a few minutes to relax.
We then proceed to a second passage in the sauna, of the same duration as the first. When you leave, the ritual is the same: shower, dry and relax.
You can also do a third step, but be careful: you have to stop as soon as you feel tired. The last session must be followed by 20 minutes of rest.
Since the temperature in the sauna is particularly high, perspiration can lead to the elimination of even more than 1 liter of water per hour and the body temperature can rise up to 40 ° degrees. To compensate for this dehydration, it is essential to drink water between the various passages in the cabin.
Contraindications
The sauna favors the dilation of blood vessels, so it is strongly not recommended for people suffering from hypertension, venous insufficiency, heart problems and cardiovascular diseases. It is best to consult your doctor in case of renal insufficiency or epilepsy. sauna is prohibited for pregnant women.
Any use of drugs, alcohol or drugs is prohibited.
During a sauna, it is advisable to listen to your body, to go out at the slightest sign of discomfort, to respect the rules and not to skip ahead.
Benefits
Thanks to its essential element, heat, the main objective of the sauna is to reduce or eliminate physical and mental tensions. It is excellent for eliminating stress and nervous fatigue.
By accelerating sweating, the sauna facilitates the elimination of toxins from the body, loosens the muscles and purifies the skin. On the other hand, it is not very helpful in losing weight, since the sauna allows you to eliminate water, not fat!
