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Steam Room
Often used interchangeably to describe a sauna, a steam room is a room where
temperatures are kept at 110° F to 130° F. Besides not being as hot as a sauna,
where temperatures are as high as 180° F, a steam room has a humidity level
that is at or near 100%. Due to the high humidity generated in a steam room,
the room has to be constructed of either: tile, marble, or acrylic. The ceiling
and benches in the room should be sloped to allow for water to run off. Additionally,
a steam room consists of a drain in the room, which must not leak steam or water
into areas outside of the steam room. Fixtures that are within the steam room
must be made of stainless steel, brass, plastic or rustproof material.
A steam room is usually no larger than 7 feet to avoid steam from rising to
parts of the room that you are not sitting in. The room is heated by a steam
generator that is located outside the steam room and unlike a sauna where heat
is generated by hot, porous rocks; a steam room relies on water vapor to carry
the heat. The health benefits of a steam room consist of the rejuvenating power
of steam and doctors frequently recommend its use.
Historically used since the time of Ancient Rome, steam rooms are one of the
most popular places to have a steam bath. Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine,
extolled the virtues of the steam room by stating, “Give me the power to create
a fever, and I shall cure any disease.” Wealthy Indians in 200 B.C. considered
the steam room essential and did not consider their mansions to be completed
until it included a bathhouse with a steam room. The popularity of the steam
room continues to today where it is a source of relaxation for the mind and
body as well as a place to improve one’s overall health.
Following the use of a steam room, you will feel rejuvenated both physically
and mentally. To enhance the positive effects that a steam room has on your
overall health, it is recommended that you take a hot bath for a good night
sleep or a cold shower to feel invigorated. Besides the relaxing feeling that
a steam room can give you, a steam room has these health benefits:
- Relieves muscle tension and stiff joints.
- Increases blood circulation as blood vessels become more flexible. This
is particularly true to blood circulation to the skin where blood flow rates
increases, so a natural result of sauna use is glowing, healthy skin.
- Produces a detoxifying capacity in the skin as the induced sweating provides
a comprehensive cleaning of the skin and sweat glands. As pores are open,
impurities are flushed from the body.
- Provides a quiet, relaxing environment that reduces mental fatigue and tension.
- Produces positive effects against respiratory problems like chest congestion,
bronchitis, laryngitis, and sinusitis.
- After physical exertion, steam room use relieves tired and strained muscles.
- Increases body metabolism.
- Calms the nervous system.
- Alleviates sinus congestion caused by colds, asthma, or allergies.
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