Want to learn how to take a sauna correctly? For newbie sauna bathers this is very important as you don’t want to harm yourself. Instead, want to achieve the maximum health benefit from your efforts.
Since sauna bathing correctly is extremely important we had to write an article on the subject. Down below we have placed all the steps on how to sauna bath. We highly recommend following each step as they can enhance your sauna bathing experience and keep you safe.
How To Take A Sauna
1) Turn on Sauna
If you own a home sauna its essential to turn on the sauna at least 30 minutes before. Traditional sauna heaters take a while to fully heat up so it’s important to turn them on 30-45 minutes before hand.
If you’re using an infrared sauna than warm up times will be much lower at 10-15 minutes. This is due to their different heating styles and smaller heating area.
2) Shower
While it might sound counterproductive, it’s important to shower before you enter the sauna. This is because bacteria multiplies very quickly while in hot environments like the sauna.
In addition most people use the sauna after they had a work out. During this time your body releases sweat and oils that should be washed off. You don’t want to enter the sauna while having B.O.
3) Put on Appropriate Attire
After showering you should change into appropriate attire for the sauna. A general rule of thumb is the less clothing the better. So taking a sauna in a bathing suit or towel is recommended.
If it’s allowed, then sauna bathing in the nude is a great option. Just remember to not every establishment allows this so be sure to check the rules. In addition remember to sit under a towel if bathing nude.
4) Grab Other Essentials
Before entering the sauna you should have some basic essentials with you. A water bottle is one of the most important things to bring with you as you want to stay hydrated.
In addition to a water bottle you should bring a few towels. There should be one towel for underneath your bum, one underneath your feet, and one to wipe the sweat off your face.
5) Enter Sauna
Once you’re showered and have everything you need you can finally enter the sauna. The first thing you should do when entering is find a spot to sit. Place down your towels and other belonging. From here you simply sit and relax.
6) Relax for 10-20 minutes
While in the sauna you should focus on your breathing while enjoying the heat. This will aid in relaxation and it puts you in a meditative state of mind.
If you’re new to sauna bathing then you should only relax in the sauna anywhere from 10-20 minutes. This is enough to give you the health benefits of the sauna, but not long enough to damaging your body. (If you’re an advanced user then use it at maximum of 30 minutes.)
If at any point you feel nauseous or light-headed then exit the sauna immediately and drink water. You want to try to cool down and drink as much water as possible.
7) Exit Sauna
Once you’re finished when your sauna session you should pick up your towels and use them to clean the sweat on the benches/floor. You do this to reduce bacteria growth and so that it dries quickly so that others can use the spot you were in.
8) Cool Down
After exiting the sauna it’s essential to sit down for 10-15 minutes. During this time you should be drinking water to replenish your body of the water it lost during the sauna session.
This cool down period is possibly one of the most important steps when sauna bathing so be sure not to forget it. Not doing so can harm your body and give you heat stroke.
9) Take a Shower
After cooling down you should then take another shower to clean your body of all the sweat and toxins you lost while in the sauna. Be sure to use cold water as this will aid in cooling down your body.
Other Sauna Activities
While the above steps are a general guideline of how to take a sauna, you can also do a few other things while in the sauna. These activities aren’t essential, but can greatly enhance your sauna bathing experience.
- Use Essential Oils: Using essential oils is one of the best things you can do to enhance your relaxation while in the sauna. These aroma compounds can alter ones mood while also making the sauna smell great. (Just be sure to ask other sauna bathers to make sure they aren’t allergic to certain essential oils.)
- Meditate: Meditating while in the sauna is very fun and is one of the best ways to relax after a stressful day. The hot sauna environment makes it easy to meditate since your body is already relaxed. You simply focus on your breath as you slowly enter a meditative state.
- Listen To Music: Listening to music is another thing you can do to enhance your sauna bathing experience. While we don’t recommend using electronics in the sauna, it can be extremely relaxing to listen to music sauna bathing. (Just be sure not to overheat your electronics. They’re batteries not meant for the extreme environment that saunas promotes.)
- Do Yoga: Hot yoga has become a very popular activity over the last few years. This is because of the many benefits of doing yoga while in a hot environment. Your body is naturally loose due to the extreme heat which allows you to do poses you weren’t able to do before.
- Stretch: If yoga sounds like too much then simple stretches are great to do while in the sauna. These stretches aid in muscle recovery and make your body much more flexible. They can be highly beneficial, especially after a long workout.
