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Tips for Making the Most of Your Sauna
Saunas are an excellent addition to the home. Used correctly, they can be a novel and luxurious way to unwind, socialise and keep healthy. Saunas are so versatile, and the low upkeep surrounding infrared versions make them a wonderful addition to almost any home!
Any form of sauna has the potential to provide significant benefits to your everyday life. Here, we talk through some ways in which you can maximise your sauna experience, both physically and mentally.
Saunas provide their users with a wide range of benefits, some of which change with the time of day. For example, somebody who uses the sauna after they wake up will feel energised and focused, while someone at the end of the day can use a sauna to unwind.
If you are looking for a particular benefit from your sauna, then it can help to create a schedule. It doesn’t have to be every day – if you want to improve your sleep on Sundays, making time in the evening to enjoy your sauna is enough.
The reason two people might experience different benefits from their sauna use is mostly down to the mind. Another important reason for creating a sauna schedule is facilitating that mindset change.
If you use the sauna on impulse, you may not be in the best headspace to reap its full benefits. Ensure you give yourself adequate time to prepare and enjoy your sauna, especially if you want the advantages that come with a good session!
While the mind is essential, ultimately, saunas influence the body. There are ways in which you can prepare your body for a sauna, which can support the positive impacts of a session.
One of the best things you can do to prepare your body is shower beforehand. One of the most significant impacts of a sauna on the body is how it promotes sweating; showering clears your pores, which allows this to happen faster.
Another way to prepare is to enjoy some light movement or stretches, similar to a warm-up before exercise. Exercises like yoga can help to open your blood vessels beforehand, preparing your body for another of the sauna’s benefits.
It’s also important to note that you must hydrate before and ideally during your sauna use. Due to the amount of sweating your body will go through, it’s vital that you take on enough fluids to compensate.
Ideally, you should stock your body with water before entering. It’s also recommended that you drink a glass of water just before entering, and take some in with you if possible. Some people also consider specialist rehydration drinks to replace other minerals lost during a session.
Despite the constant sweating, you should not feel dehydrated during or after your sauna session. If you find yourself needing a drink afterwards, this is a sign that you should drink more before your session.
Once you’re in the sauna, how you sit can also make an impact. The ideal seating differs slightly in traditional and infrared saunas, but all advice comes with the same idea in mind, maximising heat exposure and comfort.
Traditional saunas can come in various ways, but this typically applies to anything using steam or heat that is not infrared. In these saunas, the warm air travels upwards, so the higher in the sauna you are, the more heat you’ll feel.
When using a traditional sauna, you’ll need a towel or something similar to sit on, to avoid potential burns. You can lie down in a conventional sauna, but if you want the full experience of its heat, it’s recommended you remain seated.
Infrared saunas work by using specialist light to heat the body directly. You can learn more in our blog outlining the differences between traditional and infrared saunas.
To achieve the maximum benefit of an infrared sauna, your body must remain in-line with the infrared lights. The majority of infrared lights are installed vertically for those who are seated. Therefore, you must remain seated in front of these lights to achieve the best results.
After your sauna, make time to have a cold shower. Taking a shower is important for wiping away the toxins in your sweat and also closing the body’s pores. Also, taking time for yourself afterwards is another way of helping the mind adjust to the benefits of a sauna session, instead of jumping head-first back into your routine.
With these tips, you’ll be able to experience even more benefits form your sauna sessions! Here at 1st Direct Pools, we offer a range of infrared saunas alongside our swimming pool chemicals, hot tubs and much more! If you have any questions about purchasing an infrared sauna, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced UK team who will be more than happy to help.
