Used for centuries in the Scandinavian countries, saunas originated in Finland. The word “sauna” refers to traditional baths or bathhouses. Originally, these were simply small dugouts that were dug into the ground, and could be used as habitation in the winter. The heat source was a fireplace that contained stones that would be heated up to an extremely high temperature. Water was then thrown over these in order to produce the steam that is so characteristic of a sauna, increasing the feeling of warmth in anyone nearby. This proved to be an extremely effective way to stay warm in the frigid Scandinavian winters, and provided enough heat to allow people to take off their clothes and bathe in the steam.

Smoke saunas were then the next type that was developed, and differed from the original stone pits in that they used wood to heat piles of rocks. The wood would be kept burning for anywhere from six to eight hours, and then the smoke would be let out before anyone would go inside to enjoy the heat benefits. This early type of sauna is still used in Finland to this day, but usually only on holidays or for other special occasions, as there are more convenient methods that can now be utilized to provide the type of heat that is necessary. Metal woodstoves began to appear after the Industrial Revolution, and steam vapor could be controlled in a more effective manner.

There were a number of reasons that Finns utilized saunas in their daily life. It was primarily a way to keep clean, and was thought to rejuvenate the body and mind. To accelerate the cleansing effects, they would slap the body with a bundle of birch twigs. This helped bring blood to the surface, improving circulation and helping open pores and drive out toxins. Because the sauna was one of the most sanitary areas, it was also used to prepare the dead for burial, and was used by pregnant women to give birth.

Over time, as the Finns migrated to other countries, they brought their tradition of saunas with them. The health benefits and soothing effects of heat therapy quickly caught on in other areas, and led to further developments in the technology used. Electric sauna stoves were first devised in the 1950’s, and the most current type of technology that is used is the far infrared type of energy.

Infrared heating technology is the current rage in the sauna industry. This exclusive heating technology with proprietary blends of wavelengths are fully customizable across the entire infrared spectrum to consistently deliver your desired health result. Infrared heating helps with detoxification, pain relief and more. If you are looking to lose weight, infrared heating technology can help. These saunas were shown in a recent study to help reduce waistline by burning calories while you relax in comfort. If you can maintain a healthy weight, you increase your likelihood of a longer, healthier life. When it comes to infrared heat’s ability to help burn calories, it’s very obvious why these saunas have been clinically shown to aid in weight loss.

Saunas have evolved over the years, and they continue to offer numerous, valuable health benefits. In addition, they allow users to take advantage of these health benefits while enjoying a relaxing experience.

Author Bio: Studies have shown that a 30 minute infrared sauna session can burn upwards of 600 calories.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: infrared sauna