Ready – sweat – go!
Nowadays most gyms, hotels and fitness centres have built-in sauna and steam room facilities. They have a myriad of health benefits, so if you have not visited one yet, it's high time you put it in your bucket list.
There are many variations of the bathhouse, some of which date back to Ancient Roman times, but the word sauna stems from ancient Finnish, and refers to traditional Finnish bathhouses.
There's something intensely rustic about sitting in a small wooden room full of steam, fire and water. The idea does not sound appealing -- going into a room with other people to sit and sweat -- but it does have a lot of healing properties for the body.
Sweating out toxins is generally the main benefit, however detoxification is not the only reason you should visit a sauna. Temperatures in a sauna are usually between 70 and 100 °C, and the heat causes the pores on the surface of your body to open and close effectively. It boosts circulation and perks up your immune system too, and is a good way to prevent the common cold.
Despite the heat and humidity in Bangladesh, we do not sweat all that much on a daily basis. Deep sweating has been proven to cleanse the skin, rinsing out bacteria and dead skin cells and unclog pores.
Deep sweating also promotes better circulation as the increased temperature means our blood vessels dilate, thus increasing blood flow, which is also a good remedy for aches and pains.
The high heat in saunas aids muscle relaxation and reduces muscle tension, so it's always best to spend some time in a sauna room after a working out. It's crucial that, after a session in a sauna, you immediately shower with cold water, in order to fully reap the benefits. Your pores will close back up and blood will return to your vital organs and increase functionality.
If you are looking to lose weight, saunas are not a substitute for healthy eating and exercise, but they do help you burn calories, as the process of sweating requires our bodies to use up a considerable amount of energy. This, in addition to an increased heart rate, means you could be burning at least 300 calories per session.
Sauna etiquette is important to remember as there is no general rule. Some are unisex, while others are for either just men or just women. Some saunas require you to wear some clothing, be it a swimsuit or a robe, while others allow you to wear just a towel.
They may not seem like the ideal place for a social gathering but you can often meet likeminded people as it provides a relaxing environment, closed off from the distractions and stress of the outside world.
Remember to stay hydrated throughout as you can become severely dehydrated if you do not replenish the liquids you lose.
By Zahrah Haider