Think about this - leaving your back door and into your personal oasis or paradise where the outside air is cold but it's getting warm because of the stove burning firewood in your sauna while you're listening to nothing but crackling wood and Mother Nature's silence. This is what attracts people to an outside sauna; it's a new trend that incorporates old wellness practices into our modern lives in our backyard. In the past, saunas were only found in Nordic countries or in high-end spas. Today, saunas are becoming more common in homes. By adding a sauna to your home you are adding so many health benefits for both your body and mental state. However, since they can require a large investment in money, how much space you have available, and require your attentionmaintaining, this brings big question marks over the sauna model - is having an outdoor sauna worth the investment? Unfortunately, this is not a question that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Determining if an outdoor sauna is the right choice for you personally is going to depend on your specific lifestyle and health goals, how much money you have available to invest in a sauna, and how much you would benefit from having a personal place to relax and think. In this article, I will attempt to guide you through the many factors to consider: the excellent health benefits from using an outdoor sauna on a regular basis, to body and mind benefits, to the social aspect, and then to the investment you are going to make and what kind of challenges you will face when having an outdoor sauna.
Health Benefits From Using An Outdoor Sauna
At the end of the day, an outdoor sauna is nothing but a heat therapy tool for your body - the positive health effects from repeatedly using an outdoor sauna are well researched. Many studies have been done on the health benefits of using an outdoor sauna and they are showing that people who regularly use an outdoor sauna can experience improved overall cardiovascular health. When we go into an outdoor sauna, the high temperatures make our hearts work harder and pump faster, which leads to increased blood flow throughout the body. Although this "exercise" for our cardiovascular system occurs in a relaxed manner, the improvements from sweating and breathing in steam make using an outdoor sauna a great way to lower blood pressure and enhance physiological function of the inner linings of blood vessels ("endothelial cells") as well as possible reduction in the risk of developing serious heart issues down the road.Many people find the investment worthwhile simply due to the preventative measure of supporting long term heart health through regular sauna use from home. Really, a person with an outdoor sauna is supporting their heart health through regular use of this device, while providing a place to relax at home. In addition to the effect on the heart, saunas are also a popular method for recovering from physical activity or relieving pain due to injury. Deep heat helps relieve pain and stiffness in muscles and joints caused by physical activity or chronic conditions such as arthritis, as well as helps the athlete recover faster. In addition, the production of endorphins by the body provides natural pain relief for those who suffer from chronic pain. Many people also enjoy the experience of sweating profusely in order to detoxify themselves, although this has been laid to rest by science as "the great debate." There is an overwhelming majority of people who have used saunas report feeling lighter after sweating. In addition, the detoxification through sweating provides users with a sense of clarity; therefore it is an extreme level of popularity for those who use saunas and enjoy soothing relief from both chronic pain and injury. Finally, sauna users report feeling an immense sense of peace. For the modern-day individual experiencing extreme anxiety and depressive symptoms, having access to a forced digital detox and a space to engage in mindfulness through Sauna is life-changing. Engaging in a sauna encourages deep breathing and meditation and provides an opportunity to step away from the stresses of daily life; these two combined can result in significant reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms, which in turn will enhance overall sleep patterns. The combination of physical relaxation and mental decompression creates a holistic approach to wellness; it becomes part of daily routine for many people seeking to maintain balance in their lives while developing their mental resilience. An outdoor sauna is much more than simply a health product; it has become the centerpiece of most lifestyles. The outdoor sauna is a year-round oasis for outdoor living; therefore if you have an outdoor sauna, you are encouraging outdoor activity throughout the year, including the cold winter months.Many individuals view this as a great investment; by engaging in sauna therapy regularly, you can protect your heart health over time by using an outdoor sauna at your home. If someone chooses to use their sauna often, they are not only protecting their heart but also creating a wonderful place in their home to relax. Saunas also aid in recovery following exercise as well as help those suffering from injury. The heat generated in a sauna can diminish muscle and joint pain and stiffness, whether due to exercise or from chronic diseases, such as arthritis, and are a great source of recovery for athletes as well as an effective tool for those who suffer chronic pain. Additionally, endorphins, produced by the body as a result of the sauna session, function as a natural pain reliever for many people with chronic pain. In addition to the health benefits, there are a great number of individuals who appreciate the feeling of being able to sweat heavily, because they believe it helps detoxify their body, even though the medical community has established that detoxifying through sweating is a "myth." The large majority of sauna users report that after they have an intense sweat session; they felt more energetic than before entering the sauna. Detoxification through sweating provides many sauna users with greater clarity and peace of mind, making the sauna a very appealing option for those who enjoy finding relief from chronic pain and injuries. Sauna users report feeling an enormous sense of relaxation. For those living in modern society who endure a great deal of stress, the ability to use a sauna can serve as a form of "forced" digital detox as well as provide a private, quiet place to practice mindfulness. In combination, these two activities, when practised in conjunction with each other, lead to reductions in both anxiety and depressive symptoms and will improve overall sleep patterns. Practising in a sauna creates an environment of physical relaxation combined with a moment of mental relaxation or 'decompressing'. By incorporating these two aspects into a daily routine, individuals can establish balance in their lives as well as enhance their mental resilience. An outdoor sauna offers many health benefits; however, it has become an integral aspect of many people's daily lifestyles. An outdoor sauna represents a year-round haven for outdoor enjoyment and therefore supports year-round outdoor activities, even during the harshest winter months.Using a home sauna as an investment in improving long-term heart health through regular use is viewed as an investment by many people. The individual with a sauna at home is able to utilize this equipment to maintain their own heart health, while providing a location where they can unwind at home. Additionally, the use of a sauna is typically associated with the recovery of the body after exercise andFor many people, the ability to regularly use a sauna from home to promote their heart's long-term health is a primary reason for making this investment. Having an outdoor sauna allows an individual to maintain their heart health while creating a home environment conducive to relaxation. In addition to its beneficial impact on the heart, saunas also provide a popular way to recover from strenuous workoutsThe investment of purchasing an outdoor sauna for the home, is worth it to many people simply because it provides preventative measures for supporting long-term heart health through regular use of an outdoor sauna at home. In effect, by using an outdoor sauna, an individual is enhancing their heart health through routine use. In addition to benefiting heart health, saunas also are a common method for aiding recovery from physical activity or injury by alleviating pain. The deep penetration of heat from the sauna provides relief for muscle and joint pain associated with physical activity or chronic conditions like arthritis and helps the athlete recover quicker. Endorphins released from the body provide natural relief for individuals with chronic pain. A large percentage of people who use saunas, experience a lightness as a result of sweating, even though science has made it clear that this is "the great debate" over whether or not detoxification occurs from sweating. Another result of sweating to detoxify is that most sauna users say that after sweating, they achieve clarity and thus many individuals enjoy the experience because it provides relief for both chronic pain and injuries. Lastly, sauna users, report a heightened sense of peace, specifically for today's individuals dealing with extreme anxiety and depressive symptoms. With access to a place for digital detoxification and a space to practice mindfulness, via sauna, an individual's life can change. While using a sauna respiratory deep breathing, and meditation occur simultaneously, providing the individual with an avenue to escape their daily stressors and combined; these aspects can significantly decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms, improving overall sleep cycles and patterns. The combination of physical activity and mental peace creates a comprehensive approach for becoming a holistic wellness advocate by integrating portion of daily life to develop physical activity as well as mental resilience. The outdoor sauna is considered more than a health product; rather, it has become an integral part of an individual's lifestyle or way of living. In addition to being an oasis for outdoor living during the winter season, the outdoor sauna promotes the accessibility for continued outdoor activity all year long regardless of the cold weather.To support long-term heart health by using a sauna at home regularly, an outdoor sauna can be a worthwhile investment for many people. This way, those who have an outdoor sauna can both take care of their heart and enjoy the additional relaxation benefits of using it at home. Besides its current effects on heart health, saunas are commonly used as a recovery aid, helping people recover from the rigors of exercise and recover from injuries. The deep heat of a sauna reduces the discomforts caused by exercise and chronic pain, such as arthritis, and helps athletes recover faster. The release of endorphins from the body during a sauna session also provides a natural way for chronic pain sufferers to find some relief. Many sauna users enjoy sweating, as it is thought to help cleanse or detoxify the body, but science has put this idea to rest as they have proven that the body does not detoxify itself through sweating (the "great debate"). While most sauna users report feeling lighter after sweating, detoxification through sweating provides a sense of clarity to many, which has contributed to the huge popularity of saunas being used for relaxation and recovery from pain caused by injuries and chronic pain. Most sauna users agree that they experience a tremendous sense of peace when using a sauna. For today's individual who suffers from severe anxiety and depression, having a forced digital detox along with a space to practice mindfulness through using a sauna can be life-altering. The act of using a sauna can be an excellent facilitator of deep breathing and can help individuals focus on their mental state while relaxing and slowing the body down; the combined effect of these two activities can create tremendous improvements in anxiety and depression, which will also improve sleep patterns. Combining physical relaxation with mental decompression creates a complete cycle of wellbeing. This holistic view of wellness can be a daily ritual for many people who want to create a sense of balance in their lives and build mental toughness. An outdoor sauna is more than just a health-related product; an outdoor sauna is also a central feature for most lifestyles. By being an oasis for the outdoor enthusiast, outdoor saunas offer the opportunity to encourage outdoor living for all seasons, including winter.The sensation of warming up inside and cooling off by going outside – whether it's diving into a cool bath, or just stepping out into the cold winter air – creates an invigorating experience and connects you to the natural environment around you. This ritual creates an appreciation for the seasons and provides an exhilarating contrast, both of which are major components of the traditional sauna experience.
Moreover, the sauna is a place where people connect socially. It is a perfect, private place to spend quality time with family and friends without the distractions of television and telephones. In the warm, shared atmosphere of the sauna, conversations happen in a different way. A sauna can become the central gathering place in a variety of settings, from low-key family nights at home to more elaborate social gatherings, and will increase the entertainment value of your home, creating many fond memories. A number of homeowners cite this increased social and recreational potential of their properties as one of the most important factors in deciding whether or not to build a sauna on their property.
Aesthetically, having a well-constructed outdoor sauna can enhance the overall appearance of your landscape. A rustic barrel sauna, a sleek modern cube sauna or even a custom-built sauna can all be eye-catching architectural elements. They can also provide a dedicated space for wellness that offers an opportunity to enhance the marketability and value of your property.In addition to providing an investment in your home that will pay dividends in future resale value, a sauna is also a major commitment to your quality of life and luxury for prospective buyers.
While there are many benefits to having an outdoor sauna, there are equally as many practical considerations and challenges associated with purchasing or installing one.
First of all, the financial commitment for a sauna ranges greatly. The price of a prefabricated, electric barrel sauna runs into the thousands, while professional builders may build custom wood-fired saunas with equipment for changing clothes or plunging into cold water for up to $50,000. This purchase must be taken into consideration along with the increase in home value, property taxes and insurance, as well as ongoing energy costs for heating.
Next, there are several issues concerning the physical installation and the ability to install the sauna correctly. Finding a flat area where the sauna will sit with the necessary space between the property line and all of the buildings will be necessary to install the sauna. Depending on how long the nearest city/town takes to respond with the building codes required to comply with, hiring a licensed contractor to connect all of the electrical and gas lines to the sauna may be necessary as well, along with checks of the location and construction for proper ventilation, level foundation and clearance between all the buildings.
When purchasing an outdoor sauna, an important factor for consideration will be the need for ongoing maintenance and servicing. In order to avoid damage or deterioration of the sauna, the sauna must be cleaned, the wood must be stained/treated (with materials specifically designed for maximum protection against moisture and UV radiation), the stone must be checked for proper heating and maintained, and the chimney must be routinely cleaned for all wood-burning models. Failure to maintain a sauna properly can result in mold, decay, or broken parts, and while some people will consider the maintenance necessary and therapeutic, others consider it a chore and may not find the relaxation that they desired in a sauna.
Ultimately, when determining if a sauna is a worthwhile addition to your home, you will need to assess your practice of using it and if you will be using it often enough on a weekly basis to justify your investment. Additionally, consider the climate where you will be using the sauna (cold winter vs. humid summertime) and how committed you are to the ritual of using the sauna regularly as part of your overall wellness practices.
Along with financial concerns, conduct a thorough analysis of the benefits of the sauna for you personally; the potential results of using the sauna could improve your health, decrease stress, enhance family time spent together, and provide enjoyment and relaxation by having the option to use a private oasis-like space. For many, the potential benefits of improving their health, spending time with their family and having a place of tranquility and relaxation outweigh any negative aspects of the financial investment. The steam that rises from an outdoor sauna represents more than hot air, it is your commitment to a slower, healthier, and more connected lifestyle. In conclusion, the value of a sauna is not found solely in a dollar amount, but also in the way it enhances the quality of your life on a daily basis.
