A sauna is used traditionally after a workout or swim, for relaxation benefits. Saunas have been used for centuries, since the time of the ancient Romans and Greeks, and are still enjoyed today by many cultures in the world. Using a sauna is easy. once the sauna has been built, it takes little work to keep it warm and steamy, as it uses natural sources of heat and steam. Whether you're using a community sauna, or your own private sauna, you can make the experience better by preparing for and using it properly.
Step 1
Allow the sauna ample time to heat before you enter. This may mean that you go to the sauna and turn on the heating element for a while, but give enough time for the heat to permeate through the traditional cedar walls and benches so that you get the maximum benefit. The temperature should reach around 160 degrees F for the best experience.
Step 2
Refrain from eating for an hour or two before entering the sauna. The heat can make some bathers nauseous, and having a stomach full of food can only make it worse. Learn how you react to the sauna before you decide whether you can eat beforehand or not.
Step 3
Shower before you enter the sauna. This is a courtesy to others who may be using it. In the warm, steamy environment, you don't want to spread germs or odors. Use a towel to sit on, so that you don't leave sweat and germs behind for the next bather. Even in a private suana, it helps to keep the sauna cleaner for longer.
Step 4
Pour a ladle of water directly on the rocks when you enter the sauna. In public saunas, this is a polite consideration; just be sure to announce it to everyone so that you don't inadvertently burn someone with the steam as you pour, and everyone has time to move out of the way.
Step 5
Stay in the sauna for 20-minute periods. Because of the heat, anything more could be dangerous. While some tolerate the heat for longer, if it is your first time, start with 20 minutes at a time before you know how the steam will affect you.
Step 6
Cool yourself off after 20 minutes. Some sauna enthusiasts prefer to use snow, but others use a cool shower. A shower is especially helpful to wash away the sweat and toxins that have been released from the skin while steaming.
Step 7
Turn the sauna off when not in use to prevent overheating or fires.
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