Choosing the type of sauna for a home is an important decision. But, when everyone claims their kind of sauna is the best, the choice can be difficult. Looking at reviews of different saunas can be a big help. What are the different types of saunas? Is the newer infrared sauna better than a traditional sauna?
Infrared Saunas
Infrared saunas are a newer version of the traditional sauna for home use. They do not use flame-stoked heat or steam. The user does not pour water on heated rocks. Instead, the sauna is heated with infrared lamps and electromagnetic power to create a healthy warmth. These newer-tech home saunas take up less room and operate at a lower temperature to deliver health benefits.
Light panels in infrared saunas direct a penetrating warmth directly to the user’s skin rather than heating the whole sauna. The infrared sauna operates at a lower temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or up to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Getting reviews of different infrared saunas is as easy as going to https://infraredsaunaexpert.com/.
Clearly, enjoying the benefits of a sauna has come a long way from the backyard sauna where people sat around pouring water over stones heated by a wood fire and then ran out to jump in the snow or a lake to cool off. Now, a sauna can be a small structure in the corner of a room with no mess or fuss. Just plug it in, adjust the temperature, and enjoy the benefits. This type of sauna will take about 15 minutes to heat up.
Traditional Type Saunas
The new traditional type of saunas can be purchased as units to be located outdoors or units to be used indoors. They use a heater that heats the whole unit as well as the user. A single electric or wood heater is filled with rocks and works kind of like the older wood-burning stoves for outdoor saunas. There is a wood-lined unit with benches to sit on. To raise the temperature, water is poured over the heated stones creating steam. This creates moist heat for the whole interior of the unit. The temperatures run between 140- and 176-degrees Fahrenheit with humidity of 20 to 40%. This type of sauna will take approximately 30 minutes to heat up.
The benefits of using a Sauna
The benefits of using a sauna are true for both types of saunas. They include:
- Improved heart health and reduced blood pressure
- Relaxation and reduction of depression, stress, and anxiety
- Improved sleep
- Pain relief
- Help for sore muscles after exercising
- Fighting off illnesses like the common cold and other diseases
Proper use of a sauna will increase the benefits and reduce any risks. Start with lower temperatures and shorter times while getting used to using a sauna. Even after getting used to using a sauna, limit the time to 30 minutes per session. Limit sessions to three or four times per week.
In addition, take non-alcoholic drinks like water in the sauna to keep hydrated. Take a shower after each session in the sauna to get rid of toxins that sweated out during the session. Regular use of a sauna can have lasting health benefits, but always check with a physician before starting sauna use, as some health conditions preclude sauna use.
