What is a sauna?
The term "sauna" originates in the Finnish language, although this type of bathing soon found acceptance in Germany and other countries. The primitive ritual was not very different from that practiced today, as it was carried out in a closed room, subjected to a high temperature (approximately 90°C) and with a relative humidity of no more than 20%. The air also had to remain dry enough to allow the abundant sweat released from the body to continuously evaporate.
Today, sauna bathing is a common practice for many people who want to take care of their health and stay in shape. Its positive effects on our bodies (relaxing, hydrating, etc.) have made it an essential part of our culture. Typically, when we take a sauna bath, we first warm up the body, followed by a deliberately induced cool-down. The lungs cool down more quickly in contact with fresh air (air bathing), and the skin cools down more quickly with cold water. A sauna is, therefore, an alternating bath: warming up in the dry air of the cabin and cooling down in fresh air or cold water.
Benefits of the Sauna
Stress and the decline in free time have given rise to a new culture based on wellness and self-care. One of the main characteristics of this new way of life is the incorporation of habits and activities into our daily lives that aim to pamper our bodies and minds. For all these reasons, more and more people are choosing to incorporate leisure and wellness facilities into their homes.
Sauna bathing can help with a multitude of illnesses (skin, respiratory, etc.) as it triggers a highly beneficial positive action mechanism in our bodies. The high temperatures and high humidity are the decisive factors.
The first result is perspiration, thanks to which we achieve significant skin cleansing, the first visible sign of the therapeutic qualities. Then, a series of complex mechanisms are set in motion, not as visible to the human eye, but which also produce positive effects. Here, we should mention the adaptation of the cardiovascular system, which will work at a faster rate than normal, causing "cardiac gymnastics" (under normal conditions, this is very beneficial), as well as the significant effect of heat on nerve endings, which will produce significant anti-stress and sedative effects.
Secondly, hydrophoresis, or the opening of the skin's pores, allows all the toxins that form behind the vascular network to come to light, eliminating them completely. Furthermore, heat is an excellent anti-inflammatory and, when combined with a therapeutic oil (menthol, eucalyptus, etc.), it will have a very positive fluidifying effect on the bronchial tubes and the respiratory system in general.
Usage Tips
Taking a sauna bath means alternating between "heating up" and "cooling down" (at least two or three times). We commonly say we do two or three "repetitions" (cycles). A swimsuit would retain sweat on the skin, irritating it and ultimately causing eczema; it would also prevent the free evaporation of water from the epidermis. It is considered good practice to take a hygienic shower before bathing. In public baths, this measure is mandatory (as in swimming pools). There is a designated area for this purpose. Upon exiting, users should dry themselves, as dry skin perspires more quickly under the influence of heat.
The advantage of a sauna is its greater tolerability compared to other forms of bathing, based primarily on the speed with which the desired effects are achieved. The time the body endures the heat is so short that it has no impact on the heart or blood flow. Therefore, in a sauna that has reached its optimal temperature, it is best not to sit on the lowest level, but rather on the middle or top bench, sitting or lying down in a relaxed position, with your legs at the same height, so that they are at the same temperature as the rest of your body.
The warm-up phase is reached when you're sufficiently warm and feel like cooling down. You no longer need to consider whether you've sweated enough. With proper sauna heating, the skin can reach 39 or 40°C, and the inside of the body 38 to 38.5°C. The feeling of thinking, "Now I've stored enough heat and I want a cold shower," doesn't always manifest itself at the same pace for people. There are differences, depending on individual disposition and the age of our autonomic nervous system. For this reason, we speak of a time period between 5 and 10 minutes, in general, and a maximum of 15 minutes.
Before leaving the booth, sit on the bench to allow blood circulation to adjust to the upright position of the body (suddenly rising from a horizontal position risks causing blood to pool and cause a kind of vertigo or fainting spell). It is also recommended to step off the bench calmly and take the most direct route to fresh air. During this phase, the body is indeed in dire need of oxygen, and will receive it quickly if the airways are cooled by breathing outdoors.
The novice repeats the sauna cycle and the hot/cold alternation only once; experienced users repeat it twice. More than three sauna cycles provide no additional benefits for the body; on the contrary, they often result in unnecessary fatigue. A proper cool-down after the last time is very important and advisable to avoid sweating after dressing, which could cause a cold.
Sauna Today
The modern sauna retains the same properties as those known to primitive Nordic peoples, although its design has evolved to truly elegant and spectacular models. Today's saunas can be built with windows, glass doors, heaters under the benches, domed roofs, with special designs and shapes, lacquered exteriors in various colors, and so on. Their installation is increasingly common in our homes, as is the case in the rest of Europe.
As for the material, saunas are usually made of Nordic spruce or Canadian hemlock wood. A small family sauna can take up minimal space and also requires, in a convenient location, a hot shower and cold water for the cleansing bath. A relaxation bench is also provided to allow users to cool down.
Aside from the mere wooden structure, other elements are important parts of the sauna, such as the heater and the control panel. Freixanet Wellness features a new SMART-TOUCH control panel, featuring a modern design and incorporating a microprocessor with customizable temperature settings. All models feature anti-spray and overheating protection (thermostats). If the sauna temperature accidentally reaches 140°C, the heater will automatically shut off.
Furthermore, it allows you to configure the appropriate humidity and activate special features, allowing you to choose your daily program. It also distinguishes between devices such as chromotherapy, fragrances, or beauty programs, up to a total of twelve fixed programs. All of them offer tips on the process and the medicinal effect. Ten individual programs can also be defined, depending on your mood.
Leader in innovation and quality
Freixanet Wellness, committed to providing saunas with the most outstanding innovations that will also enhance their beneficial properties, has conducted research, through its R&D department, in the fields of chromotherapy and oxygen therapy, concluding that, due to its configuration and the atmosphere of total relaxation it provides, the sauna is an ideal place to implement these techniques.
As for chromotherapy, its effect is very beneficial, as the colors penetrate not only the eyes but also the skin. Heat will help enhance these effects even further. This innovative and easy-to-use therapy can be practiced and installed in any sauna.
Regarding the length of the sessions, chromotherapy is not harmful, so there is no set time limit for enjoying it. Each person should practice it for as long as they feel necessary to improve their ailments or achieve the desired psychological balance. Chromotherapy sessions should be performed every day or every two days. The effects usually appear after just a few sessions.
Another perfect accessory to accompany your sauna session is the BONALUMIA: an aesthetic and innovative accessory whose function is to project a continuously changing color effect onto the sauna wall. Its effects produce rapid and deep relaxation, which is even better when combined with music that evokes open, tranquil spaces in nature.
Finally, it's worth mentioning the gentle steam, a combination of a sauna and a steam bath, which Freixanet Wellness offers users, allowing them to choose the level of heat they prefer, or even steam, if desired.
