Steam rooms and saunas are popular wellness practices known for their therapeutic and relaxation benefits. While both offer a warm environment to help unwind, they function differently and provide distinct health advantages. At Wellhealthorganic.Com, we delve into the differences between steam rooms and saunas and highlight the specific health benefits of steam rooms to help you make an informed choice for your wellness routine.
Difference Between Steam Room and Sauna
What is a Steam Room?
A steam room is an enclosed space filled with moist heat, typically generated by a steam generator. The humidity level in a steam room is near 100%, creating a warm, damp environment with temperatures ranging from 110 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (43 to 49 degrees Celsius). The high humidity makes the heat feel more intense and can create a dense, fog-like atmosphere.
What is a Sauna?
A sauna, on the other hand, provides dry heat, usually generated by a stove or electric heater. The humidity in a sauna is much lower, generally between 10% to 20%, with temperatures ranging from 150 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit (65 to 90 degrees Celsius). Saunas are often lined with wood and have a more arid environment compared to steam rooms.
Key Differences
- Heat Source and Environment:
- Steam Room: Moist heat with high humidity.
- Sauna: Dry heat with low humidity.
- Temperature:
- Steam Room: Lower temperatures (110-120°F).
- Sauna: Higher temperatures (150-195°F).
- Materials:
- Steam Room: Often made of non-porous materials like tile.
- Sauna: Typically made of wood.
- Experience:
- Steam Room: Feels hotter due to high humidity.
- Sauna: Feels more bearable due to dry heat.
Health Benefits of Steam Rooms
Steam rooms offer numerous health benefits that can enhance overall well-being. Here are some of the key advantages:
1. Promotes Relaxation and Stress Relief
The warm, humid environment of a steam room helps relax muscles and relieve stress. The soothing heat promotes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones, which can improve mood and reduce anxiety. Spending time in a steam room can be a great way to unwind after a long day and alleviate mental tension.
2. Improves Circulation
The heat in a steam room causes blood vessels to dilate, which enhances blood flow throughout the body. Improved circulation can help deliver more oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs, promoting overall cardiovascular health. Enhanced blood flow also aids in the removal of toxins from the body, contributing to better skin health and faster muscle recovery.
3. Aids in Detoxification
Steam rooms encourage sweating, which helps flush out toxins and impurities from the skin. This detoxification process can leave the skin feeling rejuvenated and may help reduce the occurrence of acne and other skin conditions. Regular steam room sessions can contribute to a clearer, healthier complexion.
4. Supports Respiratory Health
The moist heat in a steam room can help open up airways, making it easier to breathe. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or allergies. Inhaling the warm, moist air can help loosen mucus and phlegm, providing relief from congestion and improving overall respiratory function.
5. Relieves Muscle and Joint Pain
The heat from a steam room can help soothe sore muscles and alleviate joint pain. The warmth increases blood flow to the affected areas, reducing inflammation and promoting relaxation. Steam rooms can be particularly beneficial for individuals with arthritis, muscle strains, or chronic pain conditions.
6. Enhances Skin Health
The steam in a steam room opens up pores and promotes sweating, which helps cleanse the skin from within. This can lead to a brighter, more radiant complexion. The increased blood flow to the skin’s surface also brings more oxygen and nutrients, promoting healthy skin cell turnover and reducing signs of aging.
7. Boosts Immune System
Regular use of a steam room can strengthen the immune system by promoting better circulation and detoxification. The heat can stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infections and illnesses. A stronger immune system can help you stay healthier and more resilient against seasonal colds and flu.
How to Use a Steam Room Safely
While steam rooms offer numerous health benefits, it’s essential to use them safely to avoid any adverse effects. Here are some tips for a safe and enjoyable steam room experience:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and after your steam room session to stay hydrated and replace fluids lost through sweating.
- Limit Session Duration: Limit your time in the steam room to 15-20 minutes per session to avoid overheating and dehydration.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body feels. If you start to feel lightheaded, dizzy, or uncomfortable, exit the steam room immediately and cool down.
- Avoid Alcohol: Avoid consuming alcohol before using a steam room, as it can increase the risk of dehydration and overheating.
Wellhealthorganic.com:Difference-Between-Steam-Room-and-Sauna-Health-Benefits-of-Steam-Room | Types of Sauna
Saunas are classified into several types based on how the room is heated.
These include:
Wood burning
Wood is used to heat the sauna room and the sauna rocks. Low humidity and high temperatures are typical in saunas powered by wood.
Electrically heated
Electric saunas, like wood-burning saunas, have high temperatures and low humidity. An electric heater attached to the floor heats the sauna room.
Infrared room
Far-infrared saunas (FIRS) differ from traditional saunas heated with wood or electricity. Special lamps heat the body of the person being heated rather than the entire room. irrespective of the fact that the temperature is usually lower than in other saunas, the person still perspires in a similar manner. Infrared saunas are typically heated to 60 degrees Celsius.
Wellhealthorganic.com:Difference-Between-Steam-Room-and-Sauna-Health-Benefits-of-Steam-Room | Benefits of a Sauna
The effects on the body are the same regardless of how hot or humid a sauna is. In a sauna, a person’s heart rate rises, and their blood vessels dilate. The sauna improves circulation in a way that is similar to light to moderate exercise, depending on how long you spend in it. While in the sauna, your heart rate may accelerate to 100 to 150 beats per minute. This could be beneficial to your health.
Easing pain
Increased circulation may relieve arthritis pain, improve joint mobility, and reduce muscle soreness.
Reducing stress levels
A sauna’s heat can aid in circulation while also calming you down. Feelings of well-being could thus advance as a result.
Improving cardiovascular health
Stress reduction in a sauna may be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events. A Finnish study followed 2,315 men between the ages of 42 and 60 for 20 years. The findings suggest that people who use saunas may be less likely to develop certain diseases. The study had 878 deaths from heart disease, coronary artery disease, or sudden cardiac death. The participants were divided into three groups based on how frequently they used saunas: once per week, twice per week, and four to seven times per week.
Increased sauna use was linked to a lower risk of fatal cardiovascular diseases after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors. Sauna users had a 22% lower risk of sudden cardiac death than those who only used it once per week. Four to seven sauna sessions per week reduced the risk of sudden cardiac death by 63% and the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 50% when compared to just one session per week.
Skin problems
Dry saunas dry out your skin. Some psoriasis sufferers may notice a reduction in their symptoms while using a sauna, while others may notice an aggravation.
Wellhealthorganic.com:Difference-Between-Steam-Room-and-Sauna-Health-Benefits-of-Steam-Room | Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s
A 20-year study published in 2016 found that sauna use was associated with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The study’s sample consisted of 2,315 healthy men aged 42 to 60.
Those who used a sauna two to three times per week had a 22% lower risk of dementia and a 20% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease than those who did not. People who used saunas four to seven times per week had a 66 per cent lower risk of dementia and a 65 per cent lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease when compared to those who used them only once per week.
Health Risks and Precautions for Saunas
The moderate use of a sauna is safe for most people. However, there can be some health risks for the users, and precautions must be taken.
Blood pressure risks
Changing from hot to cold water in a sauna is not advised. It may increase blood pressure. People with low blood pressure should speak to their doctor to ensure sauna use is safe because it may also lower blood pressure. A recent heart attack survivor should also consult their physician first.
Dehydration risk
Sweating results in fluid loss, which can result in dehydration. Dehydration may be more common in people with certain conditions, such as kidney disease. Some people may experience nausea or vertigo due to the heat.
Precautions
Some precautions that must be taken for a sauna as we expand on “Wellhealthorganic.com:Difference-Between-Steam-Room-and-Sauna-Health-Benefits-of-Steam-Room” are:
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol raises the risks of dehydration, hypotension, arrhythmia, and sudden death. A year-long study of Finns who died suddenly discovered that 1.7% had recently used a sauna within the previous three hours, and 1.8% had done so within the previous day. Many of them had consumed alcohol.
Limit time spent in a sauna
Only spend up to 20 minutes in the sauna at a time. If you’re a first-time user, limit your time to 5 to 10 minutes. As you get used to the heat, you can gradually increase the time to about 20 minutes.
Drink plenty of water
It’s important to replace any lost fluids when using any type of sauna. After using a sauna, you should drink two to four glasses of water.
Avoid sauna use if ill
A sick person should also avoid using a sauna until they recover. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition, such as low blood pressure, consult your doctor before using a sauna.
Supervise children
Sauna use is safe for kids 6 and older. They need to be watched carefully. Each visit should last up to 15 minutes.
wellhealthorganic.com:difference-between-steam-room-and-sauna-health-benefits-of-steam-room | What is a steam room?
Saunas and steam rooms are both similar. Both are supposed to benefit your health while sitting in a small, heated room. Where they differ significantly is in the type of heat they provide. Steam is generated from boiling water to heat steam rooms. The humidity is responsible for the steam room’s unique health benefits.
The atmosphere in steam rooms is tropical. They are usually lined with tile, glass, or plastic to keep moisture inside and seal them off from the outside. They have a humidity level of 95% to 100% and a temperature range of 114 to 120 degrees. You’ll probably immediately notice droplets on your skin due to the high humidity in a steam room.
Benefits of Steam Rooms
There are, of course, multiple health benefits to the use of steam rooms. They are:
Improves circulation
Sitting in a steam room has been shown to be beneficial to the cardiovascular system, particularly in the elderly. A 2012 study discovered that moist heat, such as in a steam room, can increase circulation by dilating capillaries, which are tiny blood vessels. As a result, blood circulates more freely and transports oxygen throughout the body. Steam room therapy can also help lower blood pressure, protect the heart, and heal damaged skin tissue caused by wounds such as ulcers.
Skin health
Perspiration is common in both steam rooms and saunas due to the heat. The skin’s surface is cleansed through pore-opening sweating. Warm condensation can help remove dirt and dead skin cells and may even be used to treat acne. A steam room, as opposed to a sauna, also helps to remove toxins trapped beneath the skin.
