School Assignment: The ultimate guide to saunas
Does this schedule sound familiar to you?
Wake up way too early, sit in stop and go traffic for eternity, send emails for eight hours straight, sit in traffic again, eat dinner, watch 'This Is Us' on the couch, then go to sleep. Rinse and repeat until Friday.
With the non-stop pace of our everyday lives, we lose touch with our bodies. We eat dinner while working in front of the computer screen, we spend hours just trying to get from A to B, without ever really paying attention.
Sometimes we need a reminder to stop and enjoy the little luxuries in life. I am here to tell you exactly that; stop and enjoy! Saunas are a great way to re-connect to your body and unwind from the daily grind.
Saunas have been used throughout history as a way to promote health and wellness. Finland, for example has been using saunas for thousands of years, and it's no surprise to us that the Finnish are ranked the happiest out of 156 countries. (source: https://bit.ly/2R288lQ)
What is Löyly?
Pronounced as “Loyal-Lee”, this is a Finnish word that has ancient roots. The sauna was considered to be a holy place that purifies the body and Löyly was the word used to describe the cleansing mist, literally translating to ‘spirit of life’. Now it is used to describe the steam heat that rises and spreads throughout the sauna when water is poured onto the rocks. You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them.
Timing is everything
While taking a steam in the sauna is a relaxing and reinvigorating experience, there is a schedule to follow in order to get the most out of it. We've outlined a schedule that'll get you started!
Tip: Stay in the moment Take a deep breath and scan your body from head to toe. Watch the steam rise off your body. You will notice the difference in sensation from how you felt before the sauna session and how you feel now.
Start the sweat!
When you first get in there, it’s time to get comfortable! (Tip: An ergonomic sauna backrest can help you sink further into your comfort zone. rgsaunas.com/purchasebackrest ) It will take about twenty minutes for the sauna to heat up you up. This is your chance to forget about everything else going on in life. Make an intention that these next 40 minutes are dedicated to doing something good for your mind and body.
Tip: Don’t forget to drink water! Sweating can dehydrate you. Keep water on hand throughout your session. You can keep a bottle of water right outside the sauna door so it stays cool.
Löyly
Once the twenty minutes are up you can pour some water on the rocks. (Tip: Pour a little bit of your favourite essential oil into the water beforehand. It'll add even more to the invigorating experience!) Immediately the steam will begin to rise and roll around the sauna. It’s time to sit back and soak it in. For the novice, the heat might be a bit too much. Pay attention to what your body is feeling and respond accordingly. You may need to open the door to let some heat escape, or start with shorter sessions.
Tip: Don't overheat keeping a damp wash cloth in the sauna to put on your head will help you from overheating. Or go full pro mode and invest in a sauna hat. Get our favourite one here: www.saunahats.com
The cool down
It’s time to exit the sauna for a 5 minute cool down. Step outside the sauna and breath in some fresh air. How you cool down is up to you! Having some comfortable chairs outside the sauna could be a cozy spot while you replenish with some cool water. A dip in the lake will refresh you and get you geared up for the second round of heat. Or get creative! If it’s winter, and you're exceptionally brave, why not do some snow angels?
Reminder: Always check with your doctor prior to using a sauna. While it is a great way to relax and reinvigorate yourself, it can be unsafe during pregnancy or for those with certain heart conditions.
The ‘warm down’
After that refreshing cool down it’s time to warm back up. This fifteen-minute session is your final time to take in the heat. Enjoy it!
After
After finishing your sauna session, it's time to enjoy the benefits of the good you just did for your body. Make sure to drink some water and to have a soothing shower to wash away the sweat.