Saunas are very powerful weapons in the maintenance of our health and with more research being published around infrared saunas, we are finally beginning to understand the benefits, mechanisms, and risks of them.

Are saunas bad for your lungs and respiratory system – that’s the question. The truth is that it’s rather the opposite. Saunas pose no risk to your respiratory system and on top of this, they can actually help in times of symptoms of asthma, cold, flu, or congestion. Here’s a little bit more regarding what the research tells us about saunas.

Where did saunas come from?

Today’s saunas originate from the concept of ‘sauna bathing’. All in all, this is heat therapy originating in Finland and the Nordic part of Europe, then spreading outwards. In those cultures, saunas are used primarily for pleasure, culture, and socialization. People will go to spend 5-20 minutes in these heated rooms, some of which are up to 100 degrees Celsius. They often interchange these heated room visits with time in a cool-off pool or shower.

Looking further into saunas, they’ve been around for 1,000s of years with evidence of them in Turkey, Russia, and other parts of the world. In each of these cultures, a sauna looked a little different. Some blended in other spa-esque treatments into

Something odd is happening over in Sweden. Looking across their ports, you may notice a type of property unfamiliar to some. They’re floating saunas. Although technically banned by port authorities, owners of Oslo’s first floating sauna said the heck with it and begun essentially taking it on a tour which has sparked major attention.

Saunas in Sweden have a long history. After all, sweat rituals are a huge part of European culture. Millennials have been brought to sweat rituals and saunas through a search for something real, healthy, and authentic. In next-door Finland, there are saunas almost everywhere. In people’s homes, businesses, spas, and yes, even on their ports. In Sweden however, the admiration for saunas is a little less. How they came to arrive at the concept of a floating sauna has to do with Oslo’s re-building port culture.

Years ago, Oslo’s ports were filled with bustling industry – warehouses, shipyards, and water unfortunately heavily pollute. Since the early 1980s when the shipbuilding industry in the city was shut down due to mounting competition in Japan and Korea, Sweden’s ports have only been getting lonelier. In 2000, Oslo decided to open its ports to the general public and redeveloped over 52 hectares of parks and public spaces, brought in more than 50,000 workplaces, and apartments.

In this hub of activity, within the past few years, the friendly floating sauna in Oslo, Sweden has arrived. Built with a driftwood exterior, it resembles as if the sauna was born from the ocean. All clean and cozy, these floating saunas fit about 12 people. Unlike contemporary sauna design trends which focus on minimalism and sleekness, these floaters are more anarchist and artistic. Unfortunately, Oslo authorities didn’t appreciate it very much when these saunas first began making their appearance. The response was that it looked like garbage and thereby, was banned.

Installing a steam shower is easy to do, no matter what model you might be working with or additions you’ve chosen to include in your design. That said, simple mistakes can mean trouble down the line. Here’s a few quick tips on how to install a steam shower in your home.

Setting up the base

Every steam shower requires a base which needs to be levelled in order to ensure the unit’s fully stable. When a base is level, water will drain as you intend it to and there shouldn’t be any problems. The front of a steam shower is usually your door. This is the first wall you will want to connect to your base. A lot of these systems tend to have self-tapping screws and bolts.

Connecting the walls of your shower

Just like you want to ensure the base is level, every wall of your shower should be connected, installed, and screwed or bolted in. Once the first wall is connected to the base, next comes the other walls. Assemble the rest of the walls and connect them to the bottom. Ensure they’re securely fastened into place before moving on.

Always read the instructions

Unless you’re a professional steam shower installation expert working only with your one model again and again, read the instructions. You may be tempted not to but always read the instructions. These directions are necessary. Every maker may have their own unit installation procedures. Just because you’ve done an install on another model doesn’t mean this will be identical. For example, in some steam showers, a layer a silicone is applied to all sides to seal corners. Comparatively, other models have rubber seals. Always check the directions – bottom line.

A steam shower builds on concepts of contemporary bathrooms, conventional Western steam saunas, and even pulls from far-away cultures to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience. Steam showers and saunas are bought and installed in gyms, fitness centers, spas, corporate retreat settings, hotels, and high-end facilities. Every steam shower builds around a steam generator. Here’s how they’re built and how they work.

Where does a steam shower come from?

A steam shower is a modern contemporary interpretation of a traditional steam bath. Once favourite by our ancestors, steam baths harken as far back as to the Roman Empire. In that time, they had large natural springs and large bathhouses to enjoy. They were a place to bath and socialize both. In some cultures, these sort of venues still exist such as in Japan. The Greeks, the Turkish, and others also came to use these sort of steam showers to achieve social, health, and therapeutic benefits.

A steam shower generator and other features

A steam shower requires a generator but there’s so many other features that can be added to one’s customized design. Steam showers are usually compact so space is of the essence. Every inch counts, literally. A steam shower needs to be placed in a certain area and at a certain distance from the wall, with the necessary electrical and plumbing components. The most common features and customizations for a steam shower include chromotherapy, water jets, massagers, essential oil aromatherapy, hands-free technologies, and more.

A high quality steam shower designed in a modern aesthetic and equipped with the customizations you want adds property value while producing serious health benefits. Steam showers are the most advanced way to clean and unwind after a day of work, tension, and whatever’s come with it. Here’s just a few of the health benefits to a steam shower you should know about.

Immune system function

An unexpected effect heat has on a person’s internal systems is stronger immunity long-term. Mechanisms that play into maintaining a strong immune system are supplied with more momentum when a person regularly undergoes steam shower sessions. The heat produces more white blood cells. This gives you more ability to fight off colds, flus, and any viruses that would normally attack or compromise a person’s immune system.

Respiratory conditions

If you are suffering from a sore throat, a coughing fit, nasal congestion, bronchitis, asthma, or allergies, a steam shower is no cure but it can oftentimes treat the symptoms. When we discuss respiratory conditions like these, the intense heat of a steam shower can help loosen breathing passageways, ease coughs and soreness, and more. It accomplishes this by loosening mucus, enabling more oxygen to move to the lungs, and more.

In Japan, saunas have long had an association with middle-aged, male clientele but that’s changing. Thanks to the use of saunas by celebrities, social media influencers, and trend-conscious millennials, more young people than ever are finding saunas, creating sauna businesses, and embracing the activity for the many health benefits it brings.

A complete sauna experience awaits

In Japan, there are many saunas in spas that are full-service, full-experience. Inside, you’ll find shampoos, conditioners, massage therapists, restaurants, and more. You’ll find all sorts of interesting businesses that grab onto sauna culture, exploiting it through connected products or services.

The history of saunas in Japan

The first sauna in Japan ever was created over 50 years ago by a Japanese businessman. Ujitoshi Konomi first came to learn about saunas from Finnish Olympic athletes in the 1956 Olympics in Australia. When Konomi returned to Japan, he build a sauna in a public bathing facility he operated. It wasn’t long before they spread across the country. Today, there are more than 11.5 million Japanese who visit saunas at least once every month. Needless to say, sauna culture’s grown so much!

Saunas in Japanese media and culture

Much like what you will find in places such as Finland where traditional saunas are most popular, Japan’s media and culture regularly features saunas in different television shows, magazines, literature, and more. There are entire TV serials build around sauna users – affectionately known as ‘saunners’ or ‘sauna junkies’.

When we see a sauna, we see somewhere we can get a lot of health benefits. Too much of a good thing though can cause harm. Even if you’re deep invested in a sauna, it’s important to know what the best amount of time is to reap the most benefit. When we’re talking detoxifying the body, this is what the science says.

How long to stay in a sauna for

The general rule on how long to stay in a sauna for comes down to whether you’re a beginner, experienced, or using it after a workout. Beginners shouldn’t use a sauna for longer than 5-10 minutes. This is because their body isn’t yet adjusted to heat stress. If you’re using a sauna post-workout, wait at least 10 minutes for your body to relax a bit afterwards. If you’re experienced using saunas, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends going no longer than 15 minutes although some go to 20-30 minutes.

Always start small when using a sauna

We all have to start somewhere. Don’t go in for longer than you need to. You wouldn’t go out onto the gym floor and lift 400 pounds without building up to it slowly over time. You should approach the sauna the same way. Also, the longer you stay in a sauna, the more likely you’re going to be to dehydrate. For this reason, always hydrate before, during, and after. Over time, you’ll find you can extend your sauna visit but to get going you want to take it literally minute by minute.

So you’ve decided to buy a steam sauna for your home. There are so many health benefits to having a steam sauna there and ready to use whenever you want or need. They’re not only complete relaxation in a room but they also produce dozens of positive changes in the body. Installing a steam sauna however can prove challenging. The wrong judgment, a neglectful installation, and/or accidentally committing a mistake in measurement can mean long-term damage.

Find the right steam sauna for your home

If you’re dealing with a poorly designed steam room or sauna, there’s not a whole lot you’ll be able to do to keep it in tip top shape for endless years. To combat this, find a steam sauna company you can trust. If you’re uncomfortable with installing a sauna, they should have instructions that are easy to follow. Take it slow and double-check so that every step of installing your steam sauna is being followed. Assess and measure, and measure again ensuring requirements of your sauna are being fulfilled.

Do you have everything you need to install your steam sauna?

Check your steam sauna kit. Is everything that’s supposed to be there included – if not, figure out why. Do you have all the tools you need to complete the job – if the answer’s no, get them. Compromises aren’t something you want to make on installing a steam sauna. Thankfully, with how a lot of these steam saunas are designed, almost anyone can install them. Everything’s outlined in some detail, hopefully with photos showing how to get it right. Ensure you have a beverage, relax, take it slow, and stay calm. Whether you’re experienced or inexperienced, mistakes can be made by anyone.

The best steam shower for you relies on space you’re working with, features you want, and purpose. The major mistake homeowners make when choosing a steam shower is size, for example. This is a quick buyer’s guide to steam showers and what to watch for when combing through the different options.

Quality

Steam showers aren’t just differentiated by the price tag and price does not equate to quality.

Some key areas to look at regarding how to tell if what you’re looking at is a good quality enclosure begin with the thickness of the glass. Ideally, you want 8-10mm glass thickness and 4-6mm glass panels.

Look at the base to ensure there’s a full metal frame underneath to support weight. Cheaper showers also don’t tend to come with very good warranties. Warranty-wise, a great warranty for a steam shower is anything from 5 years and up.

Features

There are literally dozens of add-on steam shower features to choose from, which is in part why there’s no better time to buy a steam shower.

Every new feature comes at a cost though. Homeowners can easily go crazy adding and adding more and more. Consider the essentials. Look at what would make you feel most comfortable and what contributes value to your experience.

Essential oils have been used for centuries by cultures all over the world, drawing from plants to inspire all-natural healing in the body.

Although they can be used in diffusers, more people are coming to find value in combining essential oils with their home steam sauna experience. The result is what we call steam shower aromatherapy.

Unlike perfumes which merely produce scent, essential oils have been scientifically proven to produce a number of benefits mentally and physically. Depending on what you want from your steam shower experience, any number of essential oils can help you achieve that. These are the most preferred aromatherapy oils for steam showers and saunas, used in households and commercial steam sauna environments across the country.

Frankincense

Frankincense has been used for a wide variety of infections, stomach discomfort, menstruation issues, some skin disorders, younger-looing skin, accelerated healing, and more. If you are unsure what sort of oils you may like to combine with your steam shower or sauna, frankincense may prove to be an excellent starting point for your health.

Far infrared saunas are being touted as a solution for sore muscles and like a must-have for rehabilitation among athletes. If you don’t already have a sauna but are thinking about getting one, it’s important to have realistic expectations about what’s accomplishable and to know what’s real about saunas.

In athlete circles or at the gym, we hear a lot about all sorts of trends in muscle repair and strengthening. If there’s one thing all serious athletes have in common, it’s that they’re willing to take extensive measures to keep their physical bodies in tip top shape. Infrared saunas are an opportunity to keep your body relaxed, de-stressed, and to keep soreness down to close to nothing. But does it work – here’s what we know.

Far infrared saunas use far infrared radiation. ‘Infrared’ is a type of light humans cannot see, somewhat similar to UV light. In a traditional, old-fashioned sauna, no infrared is used. Instead, heat is applied to the air in an enclosed space. As we sit there, it’s the heated air that warms us. Infrared saunas use light instead of heat. This light heats the body directly, targeting it straight without the need to heat the environment. Penetrating two to three inches deep, it heats the body from the inside out.

Infrared heat therapy has a number of claims to it. For athletes, there’s obviously a lot of truth to separate from what hasn’t been proven. Science backs up a number of infrared sauna claims including its ability to relax the body, achieve better sleep, improve blood circulation, help with muscle recovery, relieve joint pain, and improve range of motion. Now there are some claims unverified that are currently being studied that a sauna may help with including weight loss, detoxification, and improving the skin’s complexion.

Saunas have been extensively studied and continue to be. Some claims around a sauna have been proven untrue while others have been found to be accurate to a tee. On the subjects of heart health and lifespan, saunas have been shown to help in a very significant way. Where industry meets science, here’s the real, testable biomedical science on saunas and the health impact.

For saunas to produce maximum benefit on heart and lifespan, frequent sauna bathing is necessary. Studies have shown this is 4-7 times a week, for roughly 20 minutes, and at 174 Fahrenheit.

Using a sauna under these conditions, studies have found a 50% lower risk for fatal heart disease, a 60% lower risk in a sudden cardiac death, a 51% lower risk for stroke, and a 46% lower risk for hypertension. Although this doesn’t happen overnight, these health improvements are absolutely amazing. You may be able to save someone’s life simply by adding a sauna to their weekly routine.

Even a single sauna session has an effect on the body and gets you on the fast-track to heart health support. Science has shown one session lowers blood pressure, improves heart rate variability, and improves arterial compliance.

Why we think a sauna is so good for the heart is because of the heat. Applying heat, there’s up to 70% redistribution of blood flow away from a body’s core and to the skin to allow for sweating. At the same time, heart rate increases to 150 bpm approximately just like if you were performing moderate-intensity physical exercise. As this happens, the amount of work the heart must perform to move oxygen through the body will increase by 60-70%.

Saunas are absolutely great for athletes! There’s no arguing that. It’s a fact. That said, where experts may disagree is on when to use the sauna. Some will say to use it before a workout to loosen up the muscles while others will say this is a bad idea because it will relax a person to an extreme degree which isn’t conducive to a good fitness session. Then, there are others who will argue the best time to use a sauna is after a workout as it relaxes the muscles and de-stresses them. Well, which is it – here’s what we know.

Using a sauna after the gym

After the gym, plain and simple, it’s a nice way for a person to relax. It relaxes the muscles, the nervous system, and helps to move blood. It rewards your mind, body, and spirit. Research suggests the increase in circulation will help relieve sore muscles and help with recovery in the days ahead. It keeps the heart rate up, almost as a form of passive exercise or like a mild cardiovascular routine. For all these reasons, people like using saunas after the gym.

There aren’t really any disadvantages to using a sauna after the gym. The benefits are virtually identical to what they would be if you went and sit in a sauna before an athletic performance. What we’re talking about difference-wise is the effect it has on a workout. After a gym, it’s an excellent way to wind-down and re-energize, re-focusing you back on the rest of you day ahead.

Using a sauna before the gym

We mentioned how a sauna keeps heart rate up and acts as a form of passive exercise. This is why some experts are arguing that it’s better to use it before a workout. The thinking here is that saunas will help to warm up the body and loosen it up. If you’re someone suffering from chronic pain or who has mobility issues, there’s certainly something to be said for this. After all, a sauna literally warms up the body.

Sciatic nerve pain is a debilitating condition, usually characterized by pain going down the leg originating from the lower back. Sciatic nerve pain can occur suddenly, usually following heavy lifting. That said, others may experience a more gradual onset of discomfort or a more constant pain. Weakness or numbness can be present as well at various points of a leg and potentially down the foot. What would you say if we told you there was a way to relieve sciatic nerve pain – one possible solution may be the use of a sauna.

Sciatic nerve pain can have different origins but it most often comes from spinal disc herniation. The disc herniates which then presses down on a lumbar or sacral nerve root. Other cases of sciatica can be from spinal stenosis, pelvic tumors, or pregnancy. The commonality is a pressing down on the nerve root. How medical doctors will commonly resolve this is through pain medications or muscle relaxants. For others, they are recommended rest with the hope that this will resolve symptoms. Surgery is sometimes given, in severe cases.

Now, enter in a sauna. This is a treatment which is completely safe, carries no risk, and doesn’t have any tough-to-handle side effects. A case study recently examined a patient who had somewhat severe sciatic nerve pain which was almost always present. The patient has tried multiple therapies with no lasting effect, including deep tissue massage, yoga, chiropractic adjustments, and prescribed exercises. The medications given were primarily over-the-counter, with risks and dangers involved. Then, he tried an infrared sauna.

An infrared sauna provides a person the opportunity to engage in hot-cold therapy. In a sense, heat brings with it increased circulation, nutrients, and oxygen through the body. The heat can also be very calming not only to the muscles but also the central nervous system and other systems. Now, add cold which is a method to reduce swelling and inflammation, and which numbs. The most successful treatment of a sciatic nerve pain patient using a sauna involved repeated hot and cold therapies. A short sauna session to heat up, back into a cold shower, followed by another session in heat, and then back into a cold shower, and then, one more sequence.

Choosing a steam shower for your home or bathroom renovation can be life-changing. Having your very own spa-like conditions to enjoy after a long day can make it all worthwhile. With different steam shower designs to choose from, features to consider, and some basic guidelines on where to install, here are the most common questions we receive about steam showers.

What is a steam shower?

A lot of people unknowingly group together a steam shower with a steam room and a sauna, despite all three being considerably different. A steam shower is just that – a shower. It is an enclosed area where instead of a steady stream of water, electricity is used to create steam. Using steam, the body is cleansed and relaxed.

Is a steam room and a steam shower the same?

No but they can be used within the same enclosure separately or at the same time. A free-standing steam shower can be enjoyed just for the steam function to relax. Alternatively, some choose to use it as a sort of shower to clean themselves. After you have a steam shower, you decide how you want to use it.

Cold and flus are a part of winter. Almost every one of us will, at some point this winter, get a sickness of some kind. When we get sick, this means the body has an infection usually caused by a bacteria or virus of some kind. Some colds and flus are tougher to shake than others however what can help in every case is a steam room. As a preventative and a treatment method, enjoying a steam can produce some really strong health benefits.

When you walk into a steam room to treat cold and flus, it’s more of a preventative than anything. How a steam helps is by elevating the body’s temperature in the same way a fever does. Our bodies don’t know the difference when this elevation happens and they believe it to be a sickness. This activity causes the immune system to kick in, fighting the artificial fever and perceived infection. In time, this makes a person more resistant to illness and strengthens the immune system.

It has long been understood that heat therapy such as that which comes from a steam room successfully boosts the immune system. This occurs primarily due to the boost in production of white blood cells. When a cold or flu hits come fall or winter, your body’s already equipped with everything it needs to fight back and get you back on your feet. This sort of goes against what decades of medicine and research in medicine has told us. The story’s always been ‘Fevers are bad!’ What we’ve come to understand now is, under controlled conditions, fevers are actually very good.

A steam shower’s the perfect end-day solution for tired, achy muscles or combating harsh Canadian winter chills. With a steam shower installed in your bathroom, you push a button, step in, sit, and let all your worries melt away in a soothing cloud of steamy heat. In twenty minutes, you’re more relaxed and feel renewed, ready to take on the world!

For years, this sort of relaxing steam would only be found at a spa. A steam shower in your home saves yourself the trip to the spa, recreating this same experience in your own personal warm heaven. As modern steam showers are digital-based, you don’t need to do much to enjoy a steam, shower, and some time to yourself. Here’s more about how a steam shower works, technically speaking.

When you hit the button to get the steam shower process going, an electric valve is triggered. A generator’s filled with cold water, usually around two litres’ worth. Just like what happens with a kettle, the generator uses electricity to bring water to a boil and then, within seconds, steam’s produced. A pipe channels these hot vapors to the outlet port which is connected to your stall. Within a minute or less, the steam arrives and the temperature begins to rise.

Less than thirty minutes later, you’re done. A steam shower costs pennies to operate and consumes only two litres of water per session. You’re saving yourself a ton of water, when you use a steam shower instead of taking a regular shower which can use up to 50 gallons or more. In a sense, all that’s being done with a steam shower is creating a moisture-sealed room with a controlled temperature.

There are many different types of steam showers and steam baths. Some require more time to build up steam, which is also affected by the size. Some have with more features, going beyond temperature. There’s also some auto-flush components and other maintenance-friendly elements, as a means of helping your generator and the more technical parts of a steam shower. Ultimately, this is an indulgence you can customize to your liking and your needs.

Any advantage an athlete can legally take to make them stronger, be more equipped for the challenges ahead, and more likely to succeed is usually worth taking. The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers were recently found working out in the hot, humid temperatures of a sauna. How can a sauna help a football player – well, the answer’s pretty advanced.

A football player’s going to be working in some pretty hot and humid temperatures at times. Football players are expected to perform regardless of climate. If one practices their workout in regular weather, they don’t get the experience of what it’s like to have to push back against humid heat. The 49ers aren’t coming into battles unprepared, adding temperature and humidity to their workouts. This gives them the full experience of what it’s like to have to succeed in less than desirable environments.

A sauna creates heat tolerance in people who work out in them as it causes the body to work harder. Then, when someone is faced with high heat, the body’s already used to working out in these conditions. It doesn’t phase the body as much. It’s built up the endurance to keep going. Subsequently, in non-high heat, the body benefits from having extra energy and endurance. A body’s strength slowly builds, which is precisely why the San Francisco 49ers use these saunas.

How the 49ers have done it is by taking stationary bikes inside a tent with sauna conditions. Temperatures inside reached north of 100 degrees, giving them a little bit of what it’s like to play in territories like Tampa Bay where the temperature can be expected to climb high for some games and where humidity can soar. This is called ‘hyperthermic conditioning’, working from what’s called ‘heat stress’. Normally, we may think that stress is bad. In an environment like this, stress is actually a good thing. Here’s why.

Steam showers are a powerful weapon in the day-to-day of skin care, taking care of skin, cleansing pores, and keeping us looking glowing and young. In bathroom renovations and remodelling, homeowners are choosing to install steam showers for the skin benefits and more.

Steam showers are a form of high heat steam therapy. They build on heat therapy designs and benefits that have been long established both in science and cultures from all over the world. Modern designed steam showers have proven to be very impressive aesthetically and tremendously effective at delivering targeted health benefits.

Install it in almost any home. A steam shower works from a steam generator and uses less water than the average shower. In fact, only two gallons of water is needed to fuel steam for up to twenty minutes. As you enjoy a steam bath, your body sweats in a high-humidity environment. What this does is that it cleans your body more effectively than a normal shower would. In the average shower, water from the shower head is hitting your body and cleaning these areas however other areas aren’t being touched. Comparatively, a steam bath cleans a person’s skin from the inside out.

All-natural healthcare and health maintenance is available, with dozens of benefits, from the installation of a steam shower. Canadians from coast to coast swear by their steam shower. Forgoing the fees of a gym or spa with access to a steam shower, here are 10 reasons why Canadian homeowners like you have chosen steam showers for their home.

Lowers blood pressure

High blood pressure is a serious illness that few take as seriously as is probably recommended. Steam showers cause the body to sweat and as the skin pores open up, excess sodium in circulation is excreted through the skin. This, in part, is one of the ways a steam can lower blood pressure.

Skin moisturizer

The #1 reason why Canadians love steam rooms is because the humidity provided is ideal to moisturize the skin naturally without drying it out and with no product. Regular sessions mean healthy skin.

Less stress

A lot of illness is directly tied to stress. When we lower the mental and physical stress we carry on the body, we can help remedy a lot of illness. Soothe body and mind in a steam shower, and you’ll feel so much better.