Top 10 Tips to Enhance Your Sauna Experience

Sauna experiences differ from one person to another. The very first one is especially peculiar since it can make you either like or dislike the sauna. If you are a first-timer, you do not have to worry; there are some tips that will help you prepare sufficiently for your sauna experience. It is time to get used to the heat and the sweat, and as such you should not be scared if you sweat too much or feel as the heat is abnormally high. Most of all, you will be able to reap the numerous benefits of the sauna, and your body will react positively to it. The key point is that you need to prepare adequately, whether it is psychologically, or otherwise.

Top 10 Tips to Enhance Your Sauna Experience

After making up your mind to join the sauna, there are other things you need to know, others you need to do, and others you need to prepare for that wonderful experience at the sauna.

Do not take a heavy meal in the sauna

You should not have a full stomach in the sauna, and neither should you in on an empty stomach. You can eat a light snack before sauna sessions to keep your body active. The lighter the meal, the better it is for you; make it either yogurt or fruit. When you practice this regularly, it will help you lose some pounds which are not necessary for the body.

Carry cotton towels

Cotton towels have been known as the best since time immemorial, as they help to absorb water well when drying oneself and they are also friendly and soft to the skin. You will need your towel when you hit the shower afterward, when diving, when sitting, or lying on the bench in the sauna.

Take off all metal objects

Inside the sauna, the temperature is quite hot and you can get burnt from the metallic objects you have worn when they get hot. Since you want to feel relaxed and comfortable, the metal objects like earrings and necklaces will have to go, especially if they are not resistant to the heat in the sauna; consequently. Alternatively, they will get damaged which is a loss too. They will also prevent good sweating since they are covering some parts of the pores which are not open to breathe. If some of them have a loose coating, it may peel off in the sauna heat and make you susceptible to infections as a result.

Take a warm shower or hot water and wash with soap before entering the sauna

This will enhance your body’s hygiene as well as purpose to prepare the skin with open pores to relax the muscles throughout the body during your sauna session. Ensure you have dried well before entering the sauna for a better sweating experience. Enter the sauna covered in a towel, and either sit or lie on the benches. Begin by using the lowest bench as you move up gradually with the increase in heat.

Play music

Most saunas have music for the purposes of relaxing entertainment. Ensure that the music is meditative and soothing, and in favorable volume; too loud music will not allow you to relax. Soothing music ensures you are in an environment that makes you feel relaxed as you go through your session. Feel free to ask for adjustments from the operator if what they have is not working for you.

Use a fragrance

Use of the aromatherapy from oils such as pine, citrus, peppermint, lavender, and pine adds to better your experience in the sauna. Oils like lavender help in tension release and mind relaxation and eucalyptus scents clean the air to leave behind natural and fresh aroma.

Run a medical check-up

Always visit your doctor for a checkup before taking on a sauna session. It will enable you to relax your mind knowing that you are okay and in case you had something coming up you will be notified immediately. This step will help to reduce the risk of being sick and keeps you safe while in the sauna. Not all diseases can be taken care of; however, when you are in the sauna, it is good to carry out precautions.

Avoid taking alcohol before entering or while in the sauna

You must stay hydrated in the sauna, and no alcohol is allowed. Alcohol lowers blood pressure while the heat raises blood sugar in the body. Alcohol will make you dehydrated in the sauna and it is risky for your body. If you are dehydrated in the sauna, you will experience light-headedness and dizziness as your body will become weak from both the heat and the alcohol effects.

Shower with cold water after the sauna

You should always take a cold shower after the sauna. A cold shower takes you back to the average body temperature and exercises the blood vessels especially the capillaries. The cold bath will also refresh your skin, rinse off the sweat and close the pores immediately. Do not shower directly; you should start from the far side of the heart going down to the left leg, knee and the entire parts of the legs. Do the same to the left leg up the arms, shoulder face and backward, because your body is not used to the heat, your system may be shocked if you do it suddenly.

Take a dive or plunge

If you do not suffer from high blood pressure, low blood pressure, and heart conditions, you should consider taking a full immersion in cold water after the sauna session, or a plunge. It will cool you down, seal the open pores, and facilitate faster healing for you.

Resting

This stage is critical before partaking in any chores. You can take a brief nap or rest and if necessary, use a blanket to cover yourself up. Do not engage in any strenuous activities right after, until you are relaxed well. When you have full rested, you can return to your busy schedule slowly. After a good rest, you can decide to go back and have a sauna bath for the second time. Remember, being the first time, you have to take it easy.

Conclusion

The sauna experience is the best thing to have after a long tiresome day full of activities. Our bodies need rest at times because they are always busy most of the time and a good sauna experience can allow you to enjoy the rest as long as you follow the tips given.