According to wellhealthorganic.com:difference-between-steam-room-and-sauna-health-benefits-of-steam-room.
What is a sauna?
Saunas are tiny room that can provide extreme heat between 180 and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Sauna rooms are generally heated with electricity, wood or gas. However, there are also saunas that use infrared light that make use of infrared lights.
Saunas are all heated rooms which provide dry warmth. In saunas, the humidity is very low. This is the reason why many sauna rooms are equipped with hot rocks. The act of pouring boiling water over heated rocks produces steam, which helps make the atmosphere less dry.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF GOING TO A SAUNA
Regularly using dry saunas can provide numerous benefits for your health, including:
Improved circulation
The dry temperature in saunas can increase your body temperature and heart rate which aids in improving blood circulation and keeps your blood vessels in good shape. Experts believe that being in a sauna may raise your heart rate by just as walking on the treadmill. While there are cardiovascular benefits of relaxing in the sauna, it’s certainly not an alternative to exercise.
Lowering blood pressure
Peer-reviewed research studies from Finland have revealed that regular sauna use (at minimum four times per each week and for 20 minutes every time) can aid in lowering blood pressure, and lower the chance of dying from heart issues, strokes, and dementia. However, experts advise those with high blood pressure stay away from saunas because it may increase blood pressure. rise.
Improving skin health
The warmth of a sauna can stimulate cleansing sweat, rid of dead skin and stimulate the development of new healthy cells for the skin. Saunas can help improve the appearance of the skin, making it more flexible, and sturdy, which is beneficial for overall good health of the skin. Infrared saunas can help repair damaged skin tissues and speed up healing of wounds.
Sore joint muscles as well as stiff joints.
Relaxing in a traditional Finnish sauna can help relax muscles, relax tight muscles, and reduce soreness from the recovery phase of a workout. Sauna sessions can also help ease joint stiffness and pain.
Stress relief
Saunas are great places to meet new people and unwind. The heat therapy that is offered during sauna sessions can reduce stress levels and boost mood. In fact, in Scandinavian tradition saunas are an effective way to relieve stress. Wellness experts suggest the use of relaxing essential oils such as eucalyptus oil to boost the physical health benefits of sauna therapy.
Strengthening immunity
A dry sauna may help boost your immune system by providing relief from stress. Small studies have found that regular sauna use will reduce the amount of inflammatory markers that are present in the body that trigger your immune system.
What’s a Steam Room? What is the difference between it and saunas?
Steam rooms are also an unheated room in which you can enjoy a hot temperature of the air. But, there are two major distinctions between saunas and steam rooms.
One thing to note is that steam rooms aren’t so hot like saunas. The temperature of a typical steam room typically ranges between 100 and 120 degrees.
Steam rooms are a source of humid heat, and are cooler than saunas (with almost 100 percent humidity). Due to this, the heat may feel stronger in the steam room , even when it’s not the same temperature as a sauna.
WHAT ARE SOME STEAM ROOM BENEFITS?
Steam rooms let you experience humid heat and offer numerous advantages as saunas. This can lead to improved circulation of blood as well as less joint pain and stiffness, relaxation of muscles, and relief from muscle soreness that develops following workouts. Similar to steam baths, saunas assist in reducing stress.
The other benefits of steam rooms is that steam therapy can ease symptoms for patients suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies. A variety of medications used to treat these conditions can cause dryness of breathing passages. The humid air that is present in steam rooms aids in moisturizing the air passages and opens the airways. If you’re feeling congested, such as the steamy shower, breathing in steam from a steam room can aid in clearing nasal passages and help breathe easier.
Steam rooms and saunas aid in losing weight?
While the body is heated and burning calories when you go to a sauna and steam rooms, it is not the cause of any weight loss. It is possible to shed a few kilograms of weight due to sweating in the sauna and steam room.
There is also a misconception that you are able to detox in sauna rooms or a steam room following an evening of drinking. While sweating may help the skin eliminate toxic substances, it’s not a way to remove alcohol or other substances you’ve consumed like alcohol.
WHAT ARE SOME PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING A SAUNA OR STEAM ROOM?
The heat intensity can swiftly result in dehydration. Therefore, it is essential to drink plenty of water prior to your sauna or steam room session. You must leave the sauna if you begin feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
Doctors also suggest that those with elevated blood pressure, or who have suffered from a previous heart attack or other cardiovascular event avoid saunas as it could increase the heart rate.
In certain European countries, barefoot is acceptable in sauna or steam room in public. But, unless you have your own steam or sauna, it’s recommended to use towels or lie on a towel as public areas can become the perfect breeding ground for germs.
If you prefer to stay clothed, you can wear natural fibers like cotton or loose-fitting clothes to maximize benefits from steam rooms as well as saunas.
Steam therapy vs sauna treatment — which one is more effective?
Saunas and steam rooms provide similar health advantages. It is possible to choose sauna or steam room (or both) in accordance with your preference. But, it’s better to use steam baths if you suffer from respiratory issues since it helps hydrate the air passages, while saunas can dry them out further.