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If you love the feeling of warm steam in your shower, you might very well find yourself a fan of the steam sauna. Saunas were first invented in Finland centuries ago. In their traditional form, saunas are wooden structures in which rocks are heated, and water is then thrown over them to produce clouds of steam. The steam heats your skin and body, producing many health benefits, including improved circulation and cleansing of the body through sweat. Most people lose over a pint of water in a steam sauna session. That water carries with it the impurities and toxins that have built up inside us. Steam saunas are also said to relieve sore muscles, clear the respiratory system, help us to relax, improve our metabolic rate, and renew and refresh the skin.

Steam, or wet, saunas provide the benefits of a cardiovascular workout without stress or strain on the joints. Your heart rate speeds up 50% to 75% in a twenty minute steam sauna bath. This will also help speed up the metabolism and increase fat burning. In the long run, a steam sauna can help you lose weight. The steam sauna also draws toxins out of tense and sore muscle tissues, relaxing them and repair damaged tissues. This is especially helpful after a workout. Aromatherapy oils can be added to the water in the steam sauna for further emotional and health benefits. This allows a dual effect of cleansing and healing when using the steam sauna.

Traditional steam saunas are made of wood, but there are modern saunas more like molded shower units. In these saunas, jets release steam into the air. Some even are meant to replace the conventional shower. They feature massaging water jets, bench, shower head and steam generator. Also available are steam cabinets * portable steam saunas with water tanks that can be plugged in. These are very useful for people who don't own their own homes and can't install a full steam sauna, or who move often.

Steam saunas have been used for generations to promote health and improve general well being. The benefits of steam saunas and their safety are well documented. If you use a steam sauna, be sure to limit your time to fifteen or twenty minutes, and leave if you should feel dizzy or ill. People with heart problems are also advised to check with their doctors before using a steam sauna, because the dilation of blood vessels can be risky in some people. For most, however, the steam sauna is the perfect way to rejuvenate after a long hard day.