A Sweat Bath Experience
There are many ways to enjoy a sweat bath, one of the basic elements of the detoxification process and on the top of the “things to do when I visit a spa”. Sauna users like their bath hot and relatively dry, while Islamic hammam bathers prefer cooler and steamier sweat baths, and the early Romans incorporated both climates into their bathing rituals. Some cultures like the American Indians chanted, while others basked in quiet meditation in the sweat bath. Today’s spas offer various versions, from the more traditional steam and sauna, to hammams, hay baths, enzyme baths and rock baths – all offering varying levels of heat with differing results. What is most important is to follow a few basic guide lines for use in a sweat bath. Obviously some are ‘bath specific’, while others apply to all forms of sweat baths.
Allow yourself reasonable time for preparation and bathing. Saunas need to “ripen,” time for the kiuas to heat the rocks, walls and benches. Remember, comforting heat radiates evenly from all sides, not from a single source. Sauna is best taken in a leisurely fashion so bathers can savor each other’s camaraderie. Refrain from eating and drinking a few hours before sauna (see precautions.) Before undressing, attend to details such as towels, loofas, soap, vihtas and other sauna implements. Searching for a forgotten brush is annoying once bathing begins.
Attitudes toward nudity are relaxed in many European countries. To bathe clothed is unheard of, however, bathing is often done at separate times for males and females. If inhibitions rule, loosely wrap a towel around your waist and shoulders. Avoid constricting clothing like a swim suit, it will cut off circulation and inhibit sweating.
To promote cleanliness, you should shower or wash before entering the sweat room. In the sweat room a towel or washable cover may be placed over the bench to keep the seat clean for the next user. Immediately after entering the sweat room toss water on the heated rocks (loyly) to help get the negative ions circulating, but warn fellow bathers so they can anticipate the wave of heat by ducking or moving to a lower level.
After sweating, cool off. (Time in the sweat room is an individual matter –15 to 20 minutes is average.) For the hardy, and assuming availability, soft snow and ice water are invigorating pleasures, while hoses, buckets and showers provide gentler cooling.
Heat and sweat purge dirt and pollutants no other bath can reach, including the one you may have taken in the beginning, and must be scrubbed and rinsed off the skin, so washing during your sweat bath is essential for maximum cleanliness. A luxury not to be missed is the back scrub by a friend or a massage given after the body is softened by the heat – this is one of the main attractions to this type of experience in a spa. After two to four sessions in the sweat room, relax in a quiet place. If possible, remain naked and dry naturally, if not a loose robe only should be used. If you skin is dry, moisturize with lotions or oil. Dress only after sweating has stopped.The typical body is 6O% water by weight and while sweat baths may have an indirect effect on weight loss, generally any weight lost during the experience will be promptly regained as soon as you drink a glass of water afterwards.
Precautions
Accidents in the sweat bath are rare and if they do occur, can usually be attributed to a lapse in common sense. The most usual mishaps are hot stove burns or bruises from a slip on a wet floor or bench. Remove jewelry, glasses & contact lenses before entering the sweat room. Do not be excessive with the water you pour onto loyly. Too much can scorch skin and lungs.
Wait 1 – 2 hours after a big meal before using the sweat bath. Eating before sweat bathing puts a strain on the circulatory system, but is also best not to bathe on an empty stomach. Sweat bathing, uses energy and some people may experience nausea or even fainting. If in doubt as to your own state of health, or a beginner bather, use lower temperatures and shorter bathing sessions. If you are physically exhausted or have been suffering from a long illness, avoid all sweat baths.
We all react differently to heat. Learn your own limits by starting with lower temperatures and increasing them gradually. Listen to your body and let it tell you when it has had enough, which will become progressively longer the more you use the sweat baths as your body will adapt with repeated exposure to heat, sweat will flow more readily and your cardiovascular system will function and cool more efficiently.
People not acclimated to heat may feel nauseous or faint. Nose bleeds or other injury to blood vessels may also occur, although there is little danger if treat properly. Nausea can result a poorly vented sweat room, or from bathing on an empty stomach when your blood sugar is low. If you feel nauseous, immediately leave the room, lie down and drink a glass of fruit juice. Fainting may also occur if you stand up abruptly in the sweat room. Blood vessels are relaxed during bathing and when you stand suddenly, fainting may result so MOVE SLOWLY!
Injury to blood vessels sometimes occurs with the sudden dilation of weak vein walls. If this happens, stanch the bleeding with a compress, leave the sweat room and lie down. Next time, try lower temperatures.
IF YOU SUFFER FROM A SERIOUS ILLNESS OR HAVE AN ACUTE HEART, CIRCULATORY OR RESPIRATORY PROBLEM, CONSULT A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SWEAT BATHING.