Saunas have been used for centuries because of the many health benefits they promote. They are good for your mind, body, and soul. With that being said saunas can still be dangerous and should be used with caution.
In an effort to help you we have written the following guideline down below. Try to follow each of these tips as they can benefit you greatly. Hopefully, by the end of the article, you’ll know how to use a sauna safely and responsibly.
Health Safety Tips
* Consult Doctor – The first thing you should do before ever using a sauna is getting your doctor’s permission. If you’re a person who has certain diseases or disabilities then saunas might not be the best for you. So consult your doctor and get his/her’s permission.
* No Small Children – You should never allow any children in the sauna without adult supervision. So if you have a child that likes using the sauna then go in it with him. We also don’t recommend any child under the age of 10 to go in the sauna at all.
* Hydration Is Key – Always make sure you’re completely hydrated before getting into the sauna. This is essential since your body will be perspiring at extreme levels. You should also bring a bottle of water in the sauna. This will allow you to hydrate while in the sauna and make it able for you to pour water on your head.
* Good Nutrition – Since your body is operating at an extreme level while in the sauna, you need some food to get this extra energy from. So make sure you always have some food in your stomach. (On the other hand, you don’t want to come into the sauna with a full stomach.)
* No Pregnant Women – We advise not to use the sauna while pregnant. The extreme conditions that saunas promote can be too strenuous on the baby and is possibly not good for its health. There is also a chance you can over-push your body which isn’t smart for your sake or your baby’s sake.
* Stay Sober While Sauna Bathing – While enjoying a sauna while intoxicated can be fun, it’s very unsafe. Why? Drinking alcohol dehydrates your body. Since the heat is so extreme you’re going to be sweating and dehydrating your body even more. This can cause you to pass out or possibly even harm your body. It’s also recommended to not use any other substances while going in the sauna. So stay sober and enjoy a healthy/natural sauna experience.
* Don’t Push Beyond Your Limits – Many people tend to push beyond their limits while in the sauna. Meaning they stay in the sauna for too long even though they are feeling extreme dizziness and fatigue. This of course is counterproductive because you’re using the sauna for its health benefits. So if you’re trying to lose weight with the sauna or you just like staying in it for long periods of time, then make sure you don’t overpush your body.
* Never Sleep In The Sauna – Even though saunas can be very relaxing and make you want to sleep, you should never do it. There have been many instances where people have fallen asleep in a sauna and died from the extreme temperatures in the sauna. So please be careful and never sleep in the sauna. If you go against our advice then make sure you have a loud alarm or someone to wake you so you don’t harm yourself.
* Limit Yourself To 30 Minutes – This tip goes along with pushing beyond your limits. You should never stay in a sauna longer than 30 minutes. If you do you increase the risk of heatstroke and dehydration. So time your sauna bathes and never go more than 30 minutes in a sauna.
Structural Safety Tips
While there are many things you can do to prepare your body for a sauna bath, there are also structural things you can do to stay safe. If you own a home sauna then we recommend following these below tips. They can make your sauna experience much better and save you from harming yourself while in the sauna.
* Proper Sauna Rocks – Using the correct sauna rocks in a traditional sauna is essential as it can make or break your sauna. So make sure you buy the correct ones. Also, make sure the rocks are still usable and don’t need to be changed. Old rocks don’t distribute heat efficiently and can possibly explode (in some circumstances). So visit our sauna rocks page and find out which ones are best for you.
* Proper Electrical SetUp – Since most all saunas need electricity to work, you need to make sure that the electrical system is safe (especially if you’re doing a DIY sauna). You should use a ground fault circuit interrupter, install the main panel on the outside of the sauna, and replace all electrical wires when damaged. Just make sure to always shut off the power when working with electrical equipment. Also, make sure that all wires and equipment used is water-proof or water-resistant.
* Venting & Air Flow – It’s essential to have a properly vented sauna. This is so it provides fresh air for yourself and the heater. It might not seem so, but fresh air is essential for a sauna heater to work properly. So install a vent beneath the heater itself for air to come in and a vent on the roof of the sauna for air to leave. (Make sure these vents aren’t too big as they can provide too much airflow and make it difficult for the sauna to produce heat.)
* No Locks – While some people want locks to prevent small children from entering their home sauna, we advise to not do this. There is a very high risk when installing locks on a sauna. So please don’t use them as entrapment is a possibility.
* Secure Guardrail – If you purchase a home sauna and it doesn’t have a guard rail then we recommend installing one. These rails are essential as you can fall into the heater and burn yourself on the rocks. While you’ll still burn yourself with a guard rail, it will provide enough protection to not harm yourself permanently. (Make sure you buy the proper rail for your traditional sauna.)
* Floor Mats – It might be a good idea to install floor mats in your sauna. This will prevent you from stepping into a pool of sweat/water and will also prevent you from falling. So if you want extra protection then this might be a purchase for you.
* Hand Rails – Installing handrails in your sauna is a must-do. Saunas can sometimes be slippery and you want to have something to grab onto when falling. So take some time to install some rails in your home sauna. (Make sure you use the proper wood when installing these rails.)
Other Resources:
This website isn’t the only resource on sauna use. There are many 3rd party resources that we believe can help you. Down below we have placed the top resources related to this topic.
Books:
* The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy
* Sauna Therapy for Detoxification and Healing
* The Sauna: A Complete Guide to the Construction, Use, and Benefits of the Finnish Bath
