During the global pandemic, people spent more time in their homes. In fact, many people found they could not leave, as they were quarantined to prevent the spread of the illness. This time at home led to countless individuals discovering they wanted to change their residences. They wanted to have their dream homes and determined what they needed to achieve that goal.
For some individuals, an indoor sauna was lacking during this difficult time. They desired the benefits of a sauna and couldn’t get them because they were trapped in their homes. Now, they are preparing to have an indoor sauna installed. Before doing so, what should they know about indoor saunas for sale online?
The First Saunas
Historians believe saunas were first used in Africa. Sick people would sweat out infectious diseases over a fire. However, over time, modern saunas came to mimic the bathhouses of Rome and Greece. They were also used to purify and detoxify the body initially, but people began using them as gathering places.
Turkish Hammams served a similar purpose. People would gather in these intricately designed buildings by gender to socialize. The Hammams offered beauty treatments in addition to the sauna.
Native Americans also used sweat lodges like saunas. People would gather in a sweat lodge to pray and connect spiritually. These dome-shaped structures sat on a frame of lashed saplings that were held together with grass, rocks, and clay. To keep heat within the lodge, the Native Americans would place animal skins or blankets over the structure. The interior of the sweat lodge would remain completely dark and up to 15 people could fit inside.
However, it was the Finns who coined the word sauna and designed the structures people use today. They have used saunas for centuries to relax, bond with others, and improve their health. Today, many people want a sauna at home and can easily have one. To choose the right unit, however, they must consider the following.
Shape Options
Indoor and outdoor saunas work in much the same way. However, there are differences homeowners must know before making a purchase. For example, saunas come in different shapes.
Standard or cubical saunas remain the most common today, and they will easily fit in the interior of a home. They are ideal for small spaces and come in traditional models and infrared versions. The homeowner must choose between electric and wood-burning sauna heaters.
Barrel saunas are best for outdoor use. They require no insulation, and the shape allows the sauna to shed water naturally. In addition, the circular shape allows more air to flow, and no insulation is required for this style. It heats up faster than other styles, but its size and design are best for outdoor use.
Pod saunas are fairly new and designed for outdoor use. Some individuals find they prefer this style because it gives them more head space. As with barrel saunas, no insulation is needed, and many people find they love the raindrop shape.
Manufacturers offer other shapes today. However, most indoor saunas are rectangular. A few styles fit in a corner of the home. The homeowner must determine the space they have for this addition and narrow the choices based on this factor.
Traditional, Infrared, or Hybrid?
Traditional saunas pull from the steam therapy techniques used in the past. The owner places sauna stones on a stove to heat them. When water drizzles over the hot stones, steam is created. The temperature and humidity in the sauna increase, leading to the individuals using the unit sweating. Most traditional saunas get to be between 150- and 195-degrees Fahrenheit.
Infrared saunas use infrared waves to produce the desired level of heat. Infrared rays warm the user’s body rather than the entire unit, and humidity levels remain lower because no steam is present. People who are sensitive to heat often prefer this style, as they find the heat easier to tolerate. Infrared saunas only reach between 120 and 140 degrees.
Hybrid saunas allow the user to choose between the infrared option and the traditional one. Both settings cannot be used simultaneously, however. The temperature within the unit varies by the setting selected.
Why Choose an Indoor Sauna?
Indoor saunas increase the value of the home, and the person never has to leave the house when they want to relax. This provides an excellent way to fill unused space in the residence, and there will be more room outdoors for other activities.
What Benefits Come with an Indoor Sauna?
Indoor saunas are easy to maintain. A person won’t need to worry about the elements damaging the unit, and neighbors won’t be asking to come and join in the fun. They don’t need to know the home has a sauna unless the homeowner wants to share this information. In addition, the homeowner never has to step foot outdoors to get the health benefits of using the sauna.
Installing a sauna indoors makes it easier to connect the unit to water and electricity. In addition, it leaves the backyard free for other things. For those who struggle to heat the home during the winter months, an indoor sauna is wonderful to have. It adds heat to the home, which the homeowner will appreciate. They can turn the heat down and still say warm. Health benefits also come with sauna use.
The Health Benefits of Saunas
One reason many people choose to buy a sauna is to improve their health. A sauna can help them do so easily. What health benefits come with using a sauna?
Saunas help detoxify the body. Numerous studies have shown this to be the case. Toxins were present in the sweat in higher concentrations than seen in the blood and urine of individuals participating in a study about saunas and their benefits. In addition, saunas may help individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
Exposure to the high temperatures found in saunas along with the sweating these temperatures induce may be good for the heart. A study conducted in Finland found that regular sauna use brings with it a reduced risk of fatal cardiovascular disease, sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease, and all-cause mortality. Researchers need to study this more to determine why this is the case. However, it appears using a sauna can reduce the risk of heart-related deaths by as much as 50 percent.
These are only two of the many health benefits that come with the regular use of a sauna. Researchers have found numerous others. Learn more today about these benefits to determine if a sauna is a good choice for the home. Many homeowners will find it is.
Indoor or Outdoor Unit?
A person doesn’t need to give any benefits up when choosing between an indoor or outdoor unit, as both are equally effective and provide the same health benefits. The owner can customize the unit to meet their specific needs, and both indoor and outdoor models will last for decades. The owner just needs to follow the maintenance recommendations of the manufacturer. Many people choose an indoor unit simply for convenience.
Sauna Safety Tips
Keep sessions short when using a sauna. Build up a tolerance over time. However, all sauna sessions should be limited to 30 minutes or fewer, and a person should exit the sauna if they experience any dizziness, nausea, or other signs of discomfort.
Always try to bring a buddy into the sauna so someone is there to help if problems arise. Drink plenty of water, and cool down after each session. Sit for ten minutes, and take a cool shower to restore the body’s normal temperature.
Dress appropriately for the sauna. Remove all jewelry and cover your hair. Wear a towel or swimsuit to prevent overheating. Another option is to wear loose-fitting clothing.
Never allow children under the age of five into the sauna. For children between the ages of six and 16, only allow them to use the unit when an adult is present. Furthermore, nobody should enter a sauna immediately after exercising. Wait at least five minutes to allow the body to cool down.
Women who are pregnant should not use a sauna. Those who have a chronic medical condition ought to speak to their doctor before using the unit. This includes individuals with diabetes, seizures, high or low blood pressure, epilepsy, and heart disease.
Never allow anyone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs to use the unit. This includes many prescription medications, such as anticoagulants and stimulants. Doing so could lead to health issues or death.
If using a traditional sauna, avoid touching the stones. They become extremely hot. In addition, never attempt to dry clothing in the sauna. Placing clothing, swimsuits, or towels near the heating element can lead to a fire.
Do not bring reading materials into the sauna, as they can be a fire hazard. In addition, refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking in the unit. As the sessions are short, save refreshments until after a session.
An indoor sauna offers numerous benefits a person should consider when deciding whether to make this investment. The installation of the unit increases the value of the property while providing the home’s occupants with stress relief. People often choose an indoor unit to make the most of their living space while leaving the backyard free for other amenities.
Indoor saunas are designed for small areas and can be customized to meet the needs of the owner. Speak with a reputable sauna dealer to find the right model for the home. Men and women who do so wonder how they ever lived without a sauna in the house.