Tips to Stay Safe in the Sauna
Many people appreciate the health benefits of saunas: relieving muscle and joint pain, improving circulation, and getting the body to sweat out toxins. But before you start using a sauna for health purposes, it's best to heed a few safety tips, especially if you have any health issues that extreme heat could exacerbate.
Once you know the safety tips for using a sauna and are ready to reap its health benefits, take a look at the high-quality saunas we offer for anywhere from one to four people at a time!
Saunas are great for relaxing your muscles and joints after a hard workout. That's why many gyms include at least one sauna. But you should keep some safety tips in mind before you get into one. For example, even though it's tempting to head right to the sauna after a workout, you should rest for a few minutes first. It's best to let your heart rate return to normal before you raise it again in the sauna.
When you do get in, take off any metal jewelry you're wearing, since it will heat up fast and burn your skin. If possible, bring a friend or workout buddy with you, and don't stay in there longer than about 20 to 30 minutes. Pay attention to how you're feeling in the sauna rather than simply going by a timer. If you start feeling nauseous, dizzy or generally uncomfortable, get out immediately to avoid overheating your body.
When you get out, try to rest for about 10 minutes, or even take a lukewarm shower to gradually reduce your body temperature. As an added advantage, the shower can remove any toxins you sweated out that may still be on your skin after your time in the sauna.
Drink plenty of water before and after using the sauna to avoid dehydration. Try to drink one to two glasses of water before you enter the sauna, and two to four glasses once you leave. If you have access to juice or mineral water, even better, since it can help replace the electrolytes your body lost by sweating in the sauna. Eating a salty snack once you get out is also recommended for this reason.
However, you should try to avoid eating right before getting into the sauna, since you might end up feeling sick due to the heat. Additionally, do not drink alcohol before you get in, because it can affect your judgment and might lead to you staying in longer than you should.
Despite the many health advantages saunas can offer, some people are better off avoiding them, because the heat can make certain medical problems worse. For example, if you have a heart condition of any kind, avoid going into a sauna unless your doctor specifically says it's safe for you. The same goes for anyone with high blood pressure. The high temperature will make your heart work a little harder than it usually does, which can make hypertension or heart problems worse. In addition, pregnant women, as well as children, should avoid saunas altogether. And if you're not sure if a sauna is safe for you, or if you want to know any more safety tips, talk to your doctor.
Once you know the safety tips for using a sauna and are ready to reap its health benefits, take a look at the high-quality saunas we offer for anywhere from one to four people at a time!
Exercising and Using the Sauna
Saunas are great for relaxing your muscles and joints after a hard workout. That's why many gyms include at least one sauna. But you should keep some safety tips in mind before you get into one. For example, even though it's tempting to head right to the sauna after a workout, you should rest for a few minutes first. It's best to let your heart rate return to normal before you raise it again in the sauna.
When you do get in, take off any metal jewelry you're wearing, since it will heat up fast and burn your skin. If possible, bring a friend or workout buddy with you, and don't stay in there longer than about 20 to 30 minutes. Pay attention to how you're feeling in the sauna rather than simply going by a timer. If you start feeling nauseous, dizzy or generally uncomfortable, get out immediately to avoid overheating your body.
When you get out, try to rest for about 10 minutes, or even take a lukewarm shower to gradually reduce your body temperature. As an added advantage, the shower can remove any toxins you sweated out that may still be on your skin after your time in the sauna.
Eating, Drinking and Sauna Usage
Drink plenty of water before and after using the sauna to avoid dehydration. Try to drink one to two glasses of water before you enter the sauna, and two to four glasses once you leave. If you have access to juice or mineral water, even better, since it can help replace the electrolytes your body lost by sweating in the sauna. Eating a salty snack once you get out is also recommended for this reason.
However, you should try to avoid eating right before getting into the sauna, since you might end up feeling sick due to the heat. Additionally, do not drink alcohol before you get in, because it can affect your judgment and might lead to you staying in longer than you should.
When to Avoid the Sauna
Despite the many health advantages saunas can offer, some people are better off avoiding them, because the heat can make certain medical problems worse. For example, if you have a heart condition of any kind, avoid going into a sauna unless your doctor specifically says it's safe for you. The same goes for anyone with high blood pressure. The high temperature will make your heart work a little harder than it usually does, which can make hypertension or heart problems worse. In addition, pregnant women, as well as children, should avoid saunas altogether. And if you're not sure if a sauna is safe for you, or if you want to know any more safety tips, talk to your doctor.
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