It’s getting cold out there for most of the country, I am always thinking about how I can try and stay healthier and enjoy myself when I get home from the 9-5 job.

I wanted to touch base on Sauna’s; they are a great way to detoxify the body. You can heat up a sauna and get in and relax, maybe listen to the stereo that are usually part of the sauna’s or read a good book, and when you come out you will feel refreshed and cleansed.

These units have come a long way since there creation, they are usually cedar lined so they have a great smell to them and now a days you can get air fresheners built into the units if you do not prefer the cedar smell. They come in all shapes and sizes from the basic 1-2 person unit, and go up to a 4 person corner unit, they even make outdoor saunas with a shingled roof, “for the person who has everything else”.

Let’s discuss some of the health benefits of owning a sauna.

1. Detoxify the body: the saunas heat will help the body to detoxify by means of sweating. The heat will increase the blood flow; this will increase the circulation which will release the toxins through the sweat.
2. Weight Loss: Because you are in a heated space and sweating the heart is pumping a little harder to create the better circulation, this in turn burns calories.
3. Aches and pains: The heat from the sauna will loosen joints and tight muscles they become more flexible and the increased blood flow will deliver more oxygenated blood to the joint to help relieve pain.

Complexion: The heat will open the pores and the sweat will cleanse the skin. It can give better clarity to your face and skin.

Now let’s talk about the different heat sources available.

1. Steam: Steam is the traditional source of heat for saunas, it uses an electric heater to form steam by way of hot rocks and water. The rocks will retain the heat very well and when you pour water over the rocks you will produce steam. These run at a temp of around 140-190 degrees.
2. Infrared: Infrared heating uses a wavelength of energy to heat up the body; these types are usually much cooler than stem saunas, these units run at a temp of around 105-140 degrees.
3. Carbon Fiber: These units work very similar to Infrared, by using a wavelength of energy but the wavelength is more optimized to penetrate deeper into the body. These units run at an even lower temp of about 100–125 degrees.

So as we see the newer style Carbon fiber heater will give you the best overall detoxification with the lowest heat and if you are like me I would rather get the most from the least.

Now is a great time to research a new sauna and get it installed in time for the holidays, it would make a great present for the ones you love. These come in kits and need assembly but most of the manufacturers out there give very good installation instruction and some just go together with clamps.

article written by, Rick the spa guy from www.fixmypoolandspa.blogspot.com