Optimal temperature and humidity in the bath: Russian steam room, Finnish sauna, Turkish hammam

Finnish sauna and Russian bath - similarities and differences

So, perhaps, the first difference between a Finnish sauna and a Russian bath is the principle of influence, which depends on the conditions created. Thus, the approximate temperature in a Finnish sauna is about 100–120 °C, and in a bathhouse – 60–70 °C. The operating principle of a Finnish sauna is dry air, while a Russian bath is steam. It follows from this that each steam room has its own effect on the human body.

If you ask the average visitor to steam rooms what is the difference between a sauna and a bathhouse, he will answer that in a Russian one it is not so hot and more humid. This opinion does exist, but rather exclusively in Russia. For example, Finns also like to steam in saunas with brooms and happily pour water on stones, despite the fact that this establishment is characterized by dry heat.

Benefit

The beneficial qualities of the Finnish sauna are obvious. A visit to the steam room has a beneficial effect on all organs and systems:

• helps improve blood circulation, dilates blood vessels;
• normalizes the condition of the skin, deeply cleanses its pores;
• helps cleanse the upper respiratory tract and lungs;
• allows you to relax, improve your emotional state, and banish anxiety;
• normalizes metabolic processes, improves metabolism, which, in turn, leads to weight loss;
• strengthens the immune system, disinfects the body, and therefore is an excellent prevention of colds.

Distinctive features of the Russian bath:

• the temperature at head level does not exceed 60–65 °C, but in this air there is a higher concentration of steam than in a sauna;
• breathing in a Russian steam room with such indicators is very comfortable;
• the average temperature in the steam room is about 60–70 °C;
• average humidity level - 20%;
• in a bathhouse, the main operating factor is steam; the level of thermal conductivity of moist air is 1.5–2 times higher than dry air;
• against the background of high humidity in the steam room of a Russian bath, moisture from the body does not evaporate so quickly, and therefore the body warms up more thoroughly and effectively.
• Basic principles of visiting a Russian bath: consistency, gradualism, optimal tolerance.

In the classical sense, a Russian steam room is a wood-burning bathhouse, but the modern market has elevated steam rooms with heaters to the rank of relevant and universal ones. In fact, the heating technology is not a fundamental difference, therefore the presence of an electric stove is quite acceptable for a Russian bath. In addition, electric ovens are much simpler and more convenient to use.

It is believed that the Russian steam room in its properties is as close as possible to the natural conditions for the human body. Wet steam gradually affects the body and does not provoke a “shock” effect, which can sometimes occur in a Finnish steam room.

Although electric stoves cannot provide large clouds of beneficial smoke, you can practice aromatherapy, which saturates the air with beneficial components.

Sauna for weight loss

If you visit the sauna to lose weight, then again, once a week is enough. But in this case, it is not the quantity that is important, but compliance with the rules:

• for the purpose of losing weight, you should not cool down suddenly in a font, under a shower or in any other way;
• Between sauna visits, drink unsweetened diaphoretic tea. For example, herbal tea with honey;
• There is no need to visit the sauna on an empty stomach; you must eat 30-60 minutes before the sauna;
• There is no need to eat between sauna visits.

Go to the sauna for health!

Distinctive features of the Finnish sauna:

• dry air has lower heat capacity and thermal conductivity, and therefore temperatures of 100–120 °C are especially easily tolerated due to the relatively low humidity;
• humidity level - 5–10%;
• the average temperature in the steam room is about 100 °C;
• It is very important to add water to the stones correctly so that it does not lead to burns. The Finns do this slowly and in small portions, while the humidity increases for a short period of time;
• dry air gradually warms up the body, profuse sweating occurs, which is considered a kind of protection of the body from overheating.

Thanks to the active process of sweating, thermoregulatory functions are activated in the sauna, as a result of which waste and toxins are effectively removed from the body.

Stones are another difference between Russian and Finnish steam rooms. So, in a Russian bathhouse, the stones are located inside the stove behind a closed door, which is opened to add water. As a result, the stones heat up three to four times more than when they are lying on an open base.

In a Finnish sauna, the stones lie on the open surface, but they can be watered with water to also receive healing steam. True, such clubs quickly evaporate. Modern saunas use electric heaters with stones to heat the air. A distinctive feature of such a “firebox” is the ability to regulate the intensity of the furnace operation and select the optimal temperature level.

Temperature and humidity in a Turkish hammam

A hammam is a cross between a Russian bathhouse and a sauna, but it is still closer to a steam room. There is almost 100% humidity , but the temperature rarely exceeds 50 degrees Celsius. The dense and dense steam in a Turkish bath is very easy to tolerate, and in combination with a pleasant temperature, it allows you to stay in the room for a long time and is not particularly tiring - this is why women love the hammam so much.

If the sauna heats up very quickly, then the Russian bathhouse needs to be heated properly, for at least 6 hours, gradually increasing the temperature. And only when the stones are sufficiently hot, and the room is dried and warmed up, can you make steam. Another important point is that it is better to lie down or sit in a bathhouse or sauna, change your body position, incl. You need to get up gradually, slowly.

Please note that you should not visit the bathhouse or sauna in the following cases:

• for cardiovascular diseases;
• for hypertension;
• for skin diseases;
• at a temperature;
• in case of aggravated chronic diseases;
• for diseases of the central nervous system;
• during menstruation.

Visiting a bathhouse is an art made up of little things that everyone should know.

Alternative opinion of bath experts

Some experts who study the principles of the effects of steam on the body agree: there are no significant differences between the Finnish sauna and the Russian steam room. Finns enjoy pouring water on stones and steaming with healing brooms. And the difference in humidity and temperature is not so great as to have a radically different effect on the body.

The Finns themselves do not consider their sauna dry. In their opinion, with the correct organization of the process, it is possible to achieve optimally moist steam, in which it will be easy to breathe, and high temperatures will be perceived by the body quite adequately.

But most bath experts still note differences between steam rooms, at least in terms of activity level. For example, a Finnish sauna involves being in a calm state: a person mainly lies or sits, trying to relax as much as possible. In a Russian steam room, guests steam with brooms, add steam, wash, and relaxation sets in after they leave the steam room.

Contraindications and harm

In order not to cause harm to your body, it is not recommended to exceed the duration of a visit to the steam room by more than 15 minutes. The last meal before visiting the sauna should be 1.5-2 hours before.

• postoperative period,
• elevated temperature,
• oncological diseases,
• acute respiratory tract diseases,
• tuberculosis,
• serious diseases of the cardiovascular system,
• high blood pressure,
• the presence of stones and sand in the kidneys,
• epilepsy,
• acute skin diseases.

People over 60 years of age and children under 4 years of age should also avoid bathing procedures.

How to train before going to the sauna

For some athletes, nothing pleases them more than a sauna after fitness. Whether the procedure will be beneficial or harmful is of no concern to anyone. However, possible negative health effects can lead to serious consequences. And if you follow these recommendations during training and while in the sauna, then you will spend your time profitably:

• Do not overwork your body; the activity should be moderate in intensity.
• Spend no more than 45 minutes training.
• Drink clean water periodically during exercise.
• After training and before visiting the sauna, also drink some clean water.
• One sauna session should not last more than 20 minutes.
• After leaving the steam room, be sure to take a dip in the cool pool or take a shower.
• Immediately after the sauna, eat something carbohydrate and protein.
• If you have the opportunity to visit the sauna on a day when you are not working out, do so.

We figured out the effect of a sauna on the body after a workout. But sometimes people want to visit this place just before class. This has its positive and negative sides.

A little about the infrared sauna

Description of the procedure

Today, infrared saunas are available in almost all modern beauty salons. Moreover, such procedures are very popular. However, many people do not think about the effect they have on the body. The inventor of the infrared sauna is a Japanese doctor named Tadashi Ishikawa. Such procedures are especially popular in Western countries. How an infrared sauna works, the benefits and harms of visiting it will be discussed below.

Most beauty salons present this procedure as an excellent way to quickly and easily lose weight. Is it so? It is known that infrared radiation has a wave structure and has a fairly strong effect on the soft tissues of the body. At the same time warming them up. During this session, blood vessels dilate, blood flow normalizes, and excess lactic acid is removed from the muscles.

In addition, the procedure can stimulate metabolism. After all, accelerating blood circulation activates metabolic processes. For this reason, in just half an hour spent in an infrared sauna, you can burn more calories than in the same time during a regular walk. Here it’s worth saying right away that energy expenditure is individual for each organism.

For some, the period of adaptation to such procedures passes quickly, while for others it is much slower. If you want to lose weight and get a slim figure only with the help of this procedure, then you should know that your efforts will not be crowned with success. After all, to effectively get rid of extra pounds, you also need proper nutrition and at least minimal physical activity.

During the procedure, exposure to thermal or infrared radiation occurs, which comes from special heating. Such waves are not harmful to the human body, unlike ultraviolet or x-ray radiation.

When visiting infrared saunas, it is worth remembering several rules that must be followed:

1. Thermal procedures should be taken no longer than 20-35 minutes a day.
2. It is recommended to cleanse your skin before going to the sauna.
3. If you want to lose weight, then you need to use an infrared sauna in combination with other procedures.
4. It is best to attend the procedure after training in the evening. You can do a massage before it, but just don’t forget to wash off the oil or cream afterwards.
5. Do not sit in the booth after a heavy dinner or on an empty stomach. It is advisable to drink citrus or vegetable juice before going to the procedure. It will also be useful to eat a small protein dish with a green salad.
6. If you have a headache, weakness, cold and temporary malaise, then refrain from attending the procedure. The fact is that due to heating, the body feels even more stress.
7. During the procedure, it is advisable to drink enough water, but know when to stop. After all, if you drink too much liquid, it will not help to better cleanse the body, and excess moisture will only create additional stress on the heart.

If you follow these simple rules, you can be sure that an infrared sauna will only bring benefits to the body. And don't forget to watch your diet.

Infrared radiation can undoubtedly benefit the body. Thus, during the session the tissues are gently warmed up and blood flow is normalized. If the procedure is carried out regularly, it can prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Consequently, the risk of developing diseases that may be caused by vascular dysfunction is reduced.

During the procedure, unlike the Turkish and Russian baths, there is no suffocating steam, intense heat and excessive sweating. After all, warming occurs mainly as a result of accelerated blood circulation, and not due to an increase in air temperature.

An infrared sauna has far fewer contraindications than similar procedures. These conditions may well be tolerated by people who have problems with the autonomic and vascular systems.

It is believed that infrared waves have a good analgesic effect. They are able to influence the production of so-called happiness hormones. This means that after the procedure your mood may improve. If you regularly visit infrared saunas, you can improve your immunity. It is also worth saying that such procedures are an excellent remedy for fatigue. With their help, you can relieve muscle tension, relax and improve your emotional state.

During the procedure, in the first few minutes the body temperature rises to 38 degrees. In this case, most of the harmful microbes die. As we already know, an infrared sauna leads to intense sweating, and, therefore, during its use, the skin pores expand. Thanks to this, a fairly large amount of harmful toxins are eliminated along with sweat, the body is cleansed, and well-being improves.

The benefits of an infrared sauna also include improving the functioning of the immune system. Thanks to this, the human body acquires greater resistance to colds (flu, acute respiratory infections). Bacteria and viruses simply die under the influence of elevated body temperature. With the help of such procedures you can relieve headaches, pain in the muscles and back.

You should not carry out this procedure if:

• pregnancy,
• diseases of the thyroid gland,
• the presence of malignant tumors,
• uterine fibroids,
• mastopathy,
• tachycardia,
• arthrosis, arthritis,
• pathologies of joint capsules,
• coronary heart disease,
• endometriosis,
• prostate adenoma,
• cystitis,
• jades,
• neurodermatitis and skin diseases at the acute stage,
• heart failure and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.

It is also contraindicated for people with low or, conversely, very high blood pressure.

Today, the infrared sauna is gaining popularity. This procedure is used both on the day of training and as a separate full-fledged service in various beauty salons.

An infrared sauna differs from a regular sauna in that it helps warm up the human body from the inside. This means that the body is renewed at the tissue level. The skin becomes firm and elastic, and excess fluid is completely eliminated from the body.

Which sauna to choose is up to each person to decide for themselves. Weigh the pros and cons before you decide to introduce your body into a kind of stressful situation.