When people talk about Finnish saunas, they are usually referring to the type of saunas that have been popular in Finland for thousands of years. Over there, saunas are like cars or televisions, everybody has one; they are not considered a luxury item, rather they are a way of life.

To give you an idea of just how popular they are, there are over 2 million saunas in a country with just 5 million people, with an average of one for every household. They can be found in homes, office buildings, hospitals and even prisons, as they are seen as a necessary part of life, something that even prisoners should not be without.

Due to the popularity of Finnish sauna bathing, many cultures around the world have adopted some features of Finland’s tradition when putting their own saunas together. Although not all of the elements are practical in today’s home settings, many people try as best they can to duplicate the feel of age-old Finnish saunas.

How do the Finnish do it? They start with a shower first, then step into a home or lakeside sauna set between 80 and 100 degrees celsius. Wood is burned creating smoke that warms the stones on the sauna stove. (Electric stoves replaced wood burning stoves in the 1930s and 40s) Water is thrown on the hot stones to create steam, which makes the environment feel hotter.

One feature of Finnish sauna bathing that you won’t find anywhere else is the tradition of using leafy boughs of birch to gently beat yourself, which supposedly loosens up the muscles in your body. Although I’m sure this works, I doubt many people try it out.

After anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours (which seems a tad excessive), or whenever one decides it is time to take a break from the heat, it is time to step out and dive into a lake or pool to cool off for a bit. If it is winter, the Finnish might roll around in the snow to relieve themselves from the heat.

This is followed up with a drink or two outside the Finnish saunas. Then the process starts all over again, with two more rounds in and out of the sauna.

It is difficult to fathom spending that many hours bathing in a sauna, yet for the Finnish, it is part of a complete day. People talk for hours on end with family and friends. Business is conducted inside the Finnish sauna. They are meeting places for companies and gathering places for families for special occasions. Just like we go to the movies, BBQs and baseball games, the Finns go to saunas…it is simply a way of life.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go all the way to Finland (although it would be nice) or even a local spa to reap the many benefits of sauna steam bathing; now you can purchase your very own home sauna and just pretend you are there!

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If you are a health enthusiast like I am, you get a joy and high after a workout that is hard to duplicate in any other way. I have found however, that I get an intense glow and further stress reduction benefit to my work outs if I jump in the steam sauna after I work out. It relaxes my mind, soul and body, and gives me a much needed break as a busy Mom working full-time in a high stress occupation.

These are some tips to getting the maximum stress reduction benefit to your after work out sauna therapy. I often go into the steam sauna first and then after I take a shower I sit with some lotion in the dry sauna. However, great benefit can be found from using either steam or dry heat if you are pressed for time:

1. Before you get in the sauna, add some deep conditioner to your hair. This will save time and give you a deep conditioning treatment while you lie down and relax in the sauna.

2. You should also add either face cream or a mask to your face so that you can get a deep steaming treatment for your face while you are in the sauna.

3. Purchase some relaxation music CDs and if you do not have a sauna that plays CDs, you can take a player in the sauna with you. Some great selections can be found on Amazon under the keyword “relaxation” in the music and CD section.

4. While you are lying in the sauna is a great time to practice relaxation techniques. Clear your mind of all thought and do not allow it to race in any direction. Completely clear your mind of thought. Attempt to hold it for 5 minutes. Release and allow thoughts to enter and then hold again, this time for 10 minutes. Slowly you will built up your ability to clear your mind at a snap of your finger whenever you need a mental break.

These are some of the methods I have found most effective for prolonging the high and relaxation I feel after a work-out. You can experiment with some of my suggestions and create your own best practices for after work out treats.

Gina Mills is an attorney and expert in alternative health. When she is not practicing law, you can find her in a gym, alternative health bookstore or a gourmet cooking class.

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Lazing around in a sauna steam room is equivalent to escaping the stressful real life and sighing in the luxury of warm, relaxing steam. Sitting in a sauna room provides relief from the fatigue resulting from the active daily life and tiring, time-consuming needs of family and work. An hour in this healing room will leave you energetic and ready to face the world once again.

Steam saunas are usually designed for custom showers. However, they may be installed in any place that can be enclosed to keep the steam inside. The ideal height for the ceiling of your steam sauna is seven feet. A good steam sauna will provide a hundred percent humidity in the cubicle. Experts design the seat away from the ceiling so that the condensed water droplets do not drip over you.

The sauna heater works in tandem with a steam generator that is guided by a digital control panel. The heater is generally kept inside the room. A low temperature will result in high humidity in the room; similarly, a high temperature means having low humidity in the room. Once the bathing cycle is complete, the control panel turns on the heater to dry up the place. The optimal temperature inside the sauna room is between 160 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

Steam saunas are generally sold as complete rooms, either in kit form or as assembled units. Cedar wood is one of the popular choices for sauna rooms, as it doesn’t get heated up, feels cool upon touching, and can be washed clean with water. Besides this, cedar wood resists staining and doesn’t splinter easily, thus providing a smooth and clean place to spread on. Installing waterproof speakers in your steam sauna room will add musical flavor to an already soothing atmosphere. While installing your steam sauna room, make sure your unit has automatic back flush and drainage of steam. This will stop any lime or chemical build-ups. Ask for installation assistance and inquire about repair services before you decide to purchase the unit.

Steam Saunas provides detailed information on Steam Saunas, Home Steam Sauna, Sauna Steam Rooms, Sauna And Steam Baths and more. Steam Saunas is affiliated with Sauna Kits.

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