The sauna comes to us from Finland, where bathing in a sauna is an integral part of the week for people of all ages. The etymology of the Finnish word "sauna" is unknown, but that doesn't stop Finns from being enthusiastic proponents of bathing in saunas, and even bringing sauna culture wherever they go around the world.
History
Although the origin of the word "sauna" is lost to the sands of time, Finnish people have been enjoying saunas for well over a thousand years to bathe and warm their bodies from the brutal Finnish cold. The first saunas were pits dug in the ground used for shelter in the winter; the inhabitants threw water on stones that had been heated in the pit's fireplace to increase the feeling of heat. These ground saunas evolved over time into smoke saunas, so called because the wood burned to heat the rocks covered the inside of the structures with soot. In the 20th century chimneys were added to funnel the smoke outdoors. Nowadays, electrical stoves are the most common heat source.
Types
A traditional Finnish sauna consists of an enclosed room paneled in wood, with wooden benches at various heights so that individuals can adjust their heat exposure by choosing a high or low seat. The seats surround an enclosure filled with hot rocks; you can adjust the humidity by sprinkling water on the rocks. The temperature is usually between 80 and 90 degrees Celsius, or 176 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit, and the relative humidity varies from 15 to 30 percent. A dry sauna has the same architecture as a traditional sauna, but does not allow water to be added to the rocks, which keeps the relative humidity below 10 percent.
Process
Before using the sauna, wet your skin, either by showering or swimming. It is common to use a sauna in the nude, although if you are in mixed company, you can wear a bathing suit. Bring a towel to sit on into the sauna with you. At the start, the humidity will be low; increase it by adding water to the stones. Stay in the sauna for between five and 15 minutes. Then leave the room to cool off for a few minutes before returning to the sauna. In a traditional sauna, you can use a whisk made of birch twigs to increase your perspiration. After a few minutes, leave to cool off and wash up, or return for another round. Make sure to drink fluids after using the sauna, as the heat is very dehydrating. Do not get dressed until you have stopped sweating.
Benefits
In "Health Effects and Risks of Sauna Bathing," a review of the scientific literature pertaining to sauna usage, researchers Katriina Kukkonen-Harjula and Kyllikki Kaupinnen found evidence that bathing in a sauna after exercise led to less musculoskeletal pain than bathing in a neutral bath. Patients with chronic respiratory problems such as COPD and asthma feel temporary relief of their symptoms while in a sauna, and regular bathing in a sauna is associated with fewer incidences of the common cold.
Warning
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you have pulmonary hypertension, you should avoid using a sauna because it will lower your blood pressure and may cause you to faint or even die. Frequent use of a sauna can also overheat the testicles and lower your sperm count. The American Pregnancy Association discourages pregnant women from using saunas, because an elevated body temperature in early pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects in your baby.
References
- International Journal of Circumpolar Health: "Health Effects and Risks of Sauna Bathing"; Katriina Kukkonen-Harjula and Kyllikki Kaupinnen; May 2, 2006
- The North American Sauna Society: Sauna Experience Varies Depending on the Sauna Type
- American Pregnancy Association: Using Saunas during Pregnancy
- International Sauna Society: A Recommended Sauna Procedure
- Mayo Clinic: Pulmonary Hypertension
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