The sauna experience is one of the most popular lifestyle trends to hit the UK since the hot tub and while it appears to be the latest health kick it’s certainly not a fad. In fact, its origins are steeped in tradition, a few thousand years of it to be precise.
Said to originate in Northern Europe, Saunas have been around since 2000 BC and are a deeply important part of cultural life most commonly associated with Finland and Sweden.
Thanks to the Industrial Revolution and their modern-day evolution, mass production was made possible. Their arrival in the UK has been a welcome addition to spas and gyms, where most people have experienced the relaxing heat of a traditional steam sauna.
Yet only the most dedicated followers of sauna life and probably the wealthiest folks have been fortunate enough to have a sauna installed at home.
Are saunas just for rich folks?
The cost and the space factors have, to date, been prohibitive but now that’s changing and the home sauna experience is fast becoming a popular addition to homeowners throughout the UK.
Thanks to advances in infrared heat technology, home saunas have not only become more compact and convenient to use, but the cost of each unit has been reduced significantly meaning that it really is an affordable option for those who love the sauna experience.
Even the smallest one-person home saunas have the same benefits as the spa-type steam saunas we’ve usually experienced, making them accessible for everyone.
But is it all simply another lifestyle indulgence or is there more to it?
For thousands of years, the Europeans have understood the cleansing and health benefits of steam. Originally, man-made caves, lined with animal skins and a fire burning underneath a pile of stones where water was poured over to create steam have been used, not only to keep warm but the smoke also sterilised the space, helping them stay healthy and free of disease.
Evolving over the centuries, the original design has changed quite significantly but the concept and the benefits have not.
The benefits of regular saunas are well-documented.
Whether steam or infrared, the benefits of saunas have been well-documented especially across Europe. Today research and studies continue with extensive insights into the effects on the brain, muscles and pain receptors from across the globe including USA, Australia and the UK.
Recent articles report the use of heat therapy through saunas reducing the risks of heart problems, dementia and even Alzheimer’s. You can read more in our blog on ‘The Benefits of Regular Saunas.’
What’s the difference between a traditional sauna and infrared?
The main difference is how they heat your body. Traditional saunas use high temperatures with rocks or logs and water to create steam while the heat of the infrared sauna is lower as it uses infrared light technology to heat the body.
Tech innovations mean that designers have been able to harness the healing effects of heat in a clean and compact unit that is easily fitted into residential homes and far more cost-effective.
Will I enjoy infrared saunas as much as the traditional steam style?
Yes, the beauty of infrared systems is that they deliver the same health and well-being experience at a fraction of the cost. Plus, you’ll still be cocooned in a warm, yet traditional woody environment with each home sauna built from real spruce wood panels.
And the safety of infrared saunas is imperative. For example, the Dual Healthy sauna includes two types of infrared emitters, Magnesium and Full Spectrum Quartz, which are operated according to the desired results: one promotes sweating and detoxification of the skin, and the other muscle and joint relaxation.
So, if you’re ready to try a modern take on a traditional therapy in the comfort of your own home, you’ll be following in the footsteps of those tried and tested generations that have not only embraced sauna life but embedded it so deeply in their psyche it’s simply a way of everyday life.