Key Takeaways:

  • Appropriate attire for a steam room is typically a bathing suit or towel
  • The recommended duration of time to spend in the steam room is between 10-15 minutes
  • Hydrate before, during and after using the steam room by drinking plenty of water
  • After exiting the steam room, it’s important to shower off any sweat that may have built up
  • Steam rooms help improve skin health through detoxification and improved circulation
  • Regular use of the steam room can provide relief from muscle aches and pains as well as respiratory illnesses

Throughout Scandinavia and Finland, steam rooms and saunas are a common form of relaxation -especially during the cold winter months. More than offering relaxation, steam rooms can also provide a number of health benefits ranging from your skin to your blood pressure.

But how do you use a steam room? Well, you should always ensure you dress light to prevent overheating, and it's important to remain hydrated. However, you should also ensure you are only in there for 10-15 minutes, and it should only be used once or twice a week.

Of course, there is more to steam room usage than this, and that's the purpose of this guide. We're here to take you through the ultimate guide to using a steam room, so you're fully prepared for your first encounter with this northern wonder.

Get Ready to Relax: Your Comprehensive Guide to Using a Steam Room

Steam Room Usage Tips

Before you step into the steam room for the FIRST time, you must ensure you know what you're doing [2]. Here are some of the most IMPORTANT pieces of advice for you to remember:

  • Dress light. Wearing light clothing and shorts is recommended, as this will allow your body to cool off when necessary by evaporating sweat.
  • Start slow and easy. When first entering the steam room, start with just a few minutes in there while you adjust to the heat before increasing your time incrementally.
  • Remain hydrated. Since you're sweating profusely in the steam room, it's important that you stay hydrated throughout so that your body can adequately regulate its temperature and avoid dehydration or other health issues arising from the severe liquid loss.
  • Stop immediately if feeling unwell. If at any point during your steam session, you feel uncomfortable due to dizziness or nausea, leave immediately and take some time outside of the sauna until those symptoms pass away completely before reentering again gradually after a short break period of 10 minutes or more between sessions
  • Limit usage frequency. Too much exposure to high temperatures can be counterproductive for health purposes; therefore, limiting usage frequency should be considered (1 - 2 times per week).

How Long Should You Stay in a Steam Room?

When using a steam room, it is important to understand how LONG you should stay in there and why. The length of time spent in the steam room VARIES from person to person, but generally speaking, most people should NOT spend more than 15 minutes at a time.

This is because PROLONGED exposure to high temperatures and extreme heat can be counterproductive for health purposes and may CAUSE dehydration.

It's also important to start SLOW and easy when first entering the steam room, with just a few minutes while adjusting before INCREASING your time incrementally up to the maximum 10-15 minute limit PER session.

You must REMAIN hydrated throughout your steam session, as this will help regulate body temperature and prevent any POTENTIAL health risks associated with sudden changes in TEMPERATURE or dehydration.

Pro Tip: Take a short break of 10 minutes or more between sessions.

How Often Should You Use a Steam Room?

As with the AMOUNT of time spent in a steam room, it's important to understand how often you should use one. Generally speaking, most people SHOULD limit their usage frequency to no more than ONCE or twice a week.

Pro Tip: A steam room session can be a fantastic workout recovery due to the dry heat provided (as opposed to moist heat).

In addition, it's important to NOTE that using a steam room can be helpful for reducing stress levels and blood pressure, but this should NOT be used as an excuse to overdo it and use the steam room too frequently. Stick to once or twice per week at MOST for optimal health benefits.

Should You Shower Before or After a Steam Room?

Showering before AND after using a steam room is considered good hygiene practice, as it prevents dirt and bacteria from being TRANSFERRED into the steam room.

It's also important to shower AFTERWARD to rehydrate your body since prolonged exposure to a steam room, and steam heat can cause dehydration if NOT managed properly.

Pro Tip: Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after your steam session to stay adequately hydrated.

Steam Room vs. Sauna

A steam room and a sauna are two POPULAR options for those looking to relax, rejuvenate, and PROMOTE their overall health.

While they may appear quite SIMILAR at first glance, there are several distinct differences between the two that should be taken into consideration BEFORE making a decision on which one to use.

The main DIFFERENCE between a steam room and a sauna is temperature. A steam room typically has a much more moisture-filled and HIGHER temperature than a sauna, which is dryer and operates at LOWER temperatures.

Pro Tip: Steam rooms are also often more humid than saunas due to the high amount of water vapour present in the air.

In addition, while they can both be BENEFICIAL for relaxation and health, steam rooms are often RECOMMENDED for those with respiratory issues like asthma or allergies since the moist air can help alleviate SYMPTOMS.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that when using EITHER a steam room or sauna, you must monitor your body's response and be AWARE of any potential adverse reactions. Stick to the recommended usage guidelines, and be sure to pay ATTENTION to your body's needs.

Should You Use a Sauna or Steam Room First?

When DECIDING whether to use a sauna or steam room first, it is important to consider the reasons why you are using EITHER one.

If you want to PROMOTE relaxation and reduce stress levels, a steam room may be better suited since its higher temperatures, and moist air can HELP with this goal.

Additionally, if you have any respiratory ISSUES such as asthma or allergies, a steam room may be the better CHOICE since it can help alleviate symptoms.

On the other hand, if you are looking for physical health BENEFITS like improved circulation and muscle recovery, then a sauna may be the BETTER option due to its lower temperatures and dry air, which can PROMOTE these goals.

What are the Common Features of a Steam Room?

Getting familiar with how a steam room works is ESSENTIAL before you use them. Here are some of the most COMMON steam room features to keep in mind:

  • High temperatures: The temperature in a steam room is usually much higher than that of a sauna, ranging from 40 - 60 degrees Celsius (104-140 Fahrenheit).
  • Moist air: Steam rooms are filled with moisture-filled air and release water vapour during use, which can help clear the lungs and promote relaxation.
  • Ventilation system: Most modern steam rooms have built-in ventilation systems to regulate humidity levels and ensure comfortable usage for all users.
  • Seating area: Many steam rooms include seating areas or benches so that users can sit while enjoying their session without having to stand alone in the hot temperatures for extended periods of time.
  • Showering facilities: Most steam rooms also provide showering facilities so that users can properly rinse off before entering the main chamber, as well as after exiting it at the end of their session.
  • Towels/Hats/Goggles: Depending on the type of facility you visit, there may be certain items provided, such as towels, hats or goggles which are designed to protect your skin from any potential harm caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures or excessive amounts of water vapour present within the chamber itself.

Steam Room Benefits

When you use a steam room, there are SEVERAL health benefits that you can take advantage of [1]. It's no wonder they are so POPULAR in Nordic countries, and these are just some of the key things you MIGHT experience:

  • Increased relaxation: The heat and moisture from the steam room help to relax muscles and promote a feeling of calmness.
  • Improved respiratory health: Steam rooms are filled with moist air, which can help alleviate symptoms caused by allergies or asthma.
  • Enhanced circulation: The high temperatures in a steam room can help improve blood flow throughout your body (including skin blood flow), which may aid in muscle recovery after strenuous physical activity.
  • Cleansing effects: Sweating profusely while using a steam room can help rid your body of toxins, making it an excellent choice for those looking for natural detoxification methods.
  • Cardiovascular health benefits: Prolonged exposure to steam rooms may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by improving oxygenation levels, reducing cholesterol levels and preventing hypertension.
  • Stress relief: Spending time in a hot, humid environment helps ease tension in both mind and body while providing an overall calming effect that may improve sleep quality at night.

Pro Tip: Those with high blood pressure should avoid the steam room experience as it dilates the blood vessels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Steam Room Better Than a Sauna?

If relaxation and improved respiratory health are your goals, then a steam room may be better suited. On the other hand, if you are looking for physical health benefits like improved circulation and muscle recovery, a sauna may be the better option due to its lower temperatures and dry air.

How Hot Does a Typical Steam Room, Get?

The temperature in a steam room typically ranges from 40 to 60 degrees Celsius (104-140 Fahrenheit). It is recommended that you check the temperature setting before entering to make it comfortable for you.

To Conclude

Steam rooms offer a WIDE range of benefits for physical and mental health, from improved circulation to stress relief - all from the COMFORT of a heated room with hot rocks.

They are also more suited than saunas if RELAXATION is your ultimate goal. However, it's important to REMEMBER that steam rooms can be very hot and humid, so they should always be used CAUTIOUSLY.

Whether you're looking for an ALTERNATIVE way to relax or want some added respite after exercising, using a steam room may just be the PERFECT solution.

Sources:

[1] Johnson J. What are the benefits of a steam room? Medicalnewstoday.com. Published January 18, 2023. Accessed March 21, 2023. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320314

[2] Chuze Fitness. Chuze Fitness. Published January 31, 2019. Accessed March 21, 2023. https://chuzefitness.com/blog/7-benefits-of-using-a-steam-room/

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