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Saunas first originated in Finland, hundreds of years ago. They are small dedicated rooms where steam baths are created by pouring water over hot rocks or heated elements. This is believed to be good for the health and generally well being. Most people in Finland have their own home sauna. They are considered a necessary place for relaxation, as well as a place to socialize with friends and family. They are found everywhere ' in private homes, corporate headquarters, gyms, and even in governmental buildings.

The first step, if you are using a Finnish sauna, is to take off one's clothes and shower. While this may seem counterproductive, it is considered polite, and it removes dirt that might otherwise contaminate the sauna. Experienced sauna bathers usually take a seat on an upper bench when entering a sauna, but it is acceptable to use a lower bench, where the temperature and steam are less intense. You then settle in and relax. The heat of the sauna will begin to soak into your body. The steam in the air will make it seem hotter than it is, so if things get too intense, feel free to move to a lower bench. If you should feel dizzy or ill, leave the sauna immediately. Beginners might want to use the sauna for only short periods of time to start with.

When you're ready to take a break, just step out of the sauna for a cool down. Many people take a shower, have a drink of water, and cool down in the dressing room for a little while before re-entering the sauna. You can make as many trips into the sauna as you like, though be careful to keep track of how you feel. When you are finally done in the Finnish sauna, have another shower to wash off the sweat, and cool your body down entirely. Before getting dressed, be sure that you are cool and dry. You should be sure to rehydrate after the sauna. Most people lose at least a pint of water through sweating in twenty minutes of sauna time, and that water should be replaced.

The traditional Finnish sauna, whether taken in Finland or at home, can be a relaxing social occasion. It is usual in Finland to sauna with friends and family, and even business contacts. Because the customs of the Finnish sauna came about many years ago, they can seem odd to those who are not familiar with them. Some people may be uncomfortable with the casual nakedness that is common in saunas in Finland, for instance. In the case where the sauna is located near a lake, bathers may jump into the cold water to rinse off, instead of taking a shower. Rolling in snow is also sometimes practiced. These practices are less likely to be encountered in Finnish saunas outside of Finland.