The Sauna Throughout The Ages
Sauna bathing is an ancient past time although the activity is quite popular in the modern world as well. What is it that makes the sauna such a timeless pleasure?
A sauna is a small room or dwelling specially designed for bathers to experience wet or dry heat sessions.A bather, or group of bathers, can gather inside of a sauna to experience temperatures as high as 80 degrees Celcius or more. The opening of the pores and sweating make it possible for impurities to easily be removed from the body. In fact, the sauna’s popularity can be attributed to its many health benefits such as stress reduction, detoxification of the body, an improved immune system and other positive changes.
The word sauna simply means a traditional Finnish bath. In ancient times, saunas were small dwellings dug in the bottom of hills and slopes to keep people warm in winter. The first known saunas were essentially the lowest points dug in a slope in the ground mainly used as dwellings during winters. At the time the sauna included a fireside where stones were heated to very high temperatures. Afterwards, water was thrown on to the hot stones thus producing steam and heat.The temperature would increase so dramatically that people removed their clothing.
Eventually the home sauna was improved with the addition of a metal woodstove and chimney. Although the temperature was generally set somewhere between 70 and 80 °C, a traditional Finnish sauna could sometimes get as hot as 90 °C. Spraying water onto the hot rocks helped perfect this experience by adding a soft steam.
Historically, the Finns used a vihta, a bundle of birch branches with small fresh leaves. They would bind the branches together and use it to gently swat themselves and other bathers. The vihta was used by bathers to gently swipe the skin in order to stimulate the pores, enhance cell production and improve blood circulation. Another benefit of the vihta was that it gave off a very pleasant scent that stimulated relaxation in the same manner that many of today’s aromatherapy products work. In fact, the vihta is still used by some individuals in the sauna.
Saunas provide stress relief in two ways. Not only do they help you relax from simply spending time relaxing within, but they also help your body relax physically. When the sauna heats your skin, it helps to detoxify your body by making it sweat out more harmful toxins than you would have without its aid. Removing these chemicals helps your body fight stress and feel healthier
Since the sauna makes you sweat, and the sweat removes toxins, the overall experiences helps to detoxify your body by forcing toxins out through the skin.
The Finns keep the rich history of the sauna alive today by making it a part of their daily ritual. In Finland, saunas are considered to be a natural and effective way of refreshing both the mind and spirit. There was a time in history when members of a Finnish family would bather together in their sauna at home. Another interesting fact about the Finns is that many Finnish women used to give birth in the sauna!
As more and more Finns moved to other countries, their customs moved with them, including the sauna. Cultures all over the world now enjoy the pleasure of the sauna. Today, many modern saunas have been improved further, from electric saunas to infrared saunas. The popularity of the sauna has only increased, and people from all over the globe now recognize and enjoy the benefits of the sauna.
More Home Improvement posts:
- Design Strategies for a Gorgeous Bedroom Retreat - February 6th, 2010
- The Difference In DIY Solar Hot Water Panels And Their Advantages - January 17th, 2010
- Advantages Of Electrical Testing Equipments - January 17th, 2010
- Make a Good Decision a Home Solar Power Kit and Save - January 13th, 2010
- Fitting Decorative Mirrors - January 7th, 2010
- Searching For Decorative Bathroom Mirrors - January 7th, 2010
- Know What For DIY Solar Water Panels Is Made - January 7th, 2010
- Best Entry Level DSLR Cameras - January 4th, 2010
- CCTV Services Provide More Than Just Shrinkage Control - January 4th, 2010
- Searching For The Best Replacement Windows On The Market - January 4th, 2010
- Seasonal Swimming Pool Maintenance - January 4th, 2010
- Designs Of Shower Curtains - January 4th, 2010
- Knowing About Hardwood Floor Care - December 29th, 2009
- Used Solar Panels eBay: Ideas To Build Your Own System - December 27th, 2009
- Ideas On How To Install Hardwood Floors - December 27th, 2009
- Mistakes When Planning Your Ikea Kitchen - December 23rd, 2009
- The Role Of Decorative Mirrors - December 20th, 2009
- Don't Be Led Astray by the Boxes on Cheap Landscape Gardening Computer Software Programs - December 19th, 2009
- Would you like to Know How to Find a Hot Deal on a Gazebo - December 18th, 2009
- It's Critical to Make the Right Choice for Your Landscaping Contractor - December 14th, 2009

(9.00 out of 10)



