There is no one right way to take a sauna. Above all you should be in good company, so that you can enjoy the experience in peace. Beginning users should use the sauna judiciously to start. As long as you feel comfortable, you may stay in the sauna, or repeat a hot-cold cycle as often as you wish. Avoid using a sauna if you have a fever or an inflammatory disease or injury, if you are pregnant, or if you have been drinking. You may want to consult your physician if you have a disease, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma or skin disease. To get the most of the sauna, you will need: At least half an hour of time, preferably more, so you have ample time to relax.
A large towel to dry yourself
A smaller towel to sit on
A bathrobe to wear while cooling down Try this first, and once you've tried it out, you can change it to suit your taste: Disrobe completely. It is also important to remove watches, rings and all other jewelry because the heat of the sauna may distort the metal and burn the flesh that wears it. Contact lenses and glasses should also be removed. Let's face it, modesty is a universal trait - or is it vanity, and the suspicion that we look rather better clothed than we do disrobed? The first-time sauna bather often finds this casual intimacy in the company of new acquaintances, if not total strangers, a little daunting. The only way to deal with this is to simply take the plunge. The chances are you'll discover your beer gut or your birth marks are in good company, and any self-consciousness is soon dispelled by the camaraderie of the visit. Bathing suits or towels don't really belong into the sauna, but I feel everyone has a right to experience the sauna in comfort. If a towel makes the sauna less intimidating, by all means use one. Start by taking a shower. This helps to keep the hot room clean. Enter the sauna and sit on the upper bench. You may want to use a small towel to sit on. Sit back for a few minutes and let the heat permeate your body and open the pores of the skin. You may adjust the air moisture by throwing water on the stones of the heater. The steam will make the room feel hotter. It is good to meditate, take a small nap or ponder over days events. |
