by Amanda Allen

Created on: October 08, 2008   Last Updated: October 24, 2008

Saunas are a great way to relax, and there are also health benefits. Sauna has been shown to help with asthma and chronic bronchitis, and may reduce pain and improve mobility for people with rheumatic disease. Regular sauna sessions can detoxify the body, removing chemical solvents, heavy metals, and drugs.

There are a few different types, including steam sauna, dry sauna, and infrared sauna. In a steam sauna, moist heat is generated by pouring water over hot stones. The relatively low humidity makes the high temperature not only tolerable, but enjoyable.

Dry saunas have an enclosed space with a heater that warms the stones. Infrared sauna heats your body without heating the air around you. The infrared sauna's heater warms the tiles on the sauna walls, providing even heating without the need for a fan. They are energy-efficient, heat up faster, and generally need less maintenance than either a steam sauna or a regular dry sauna.

If you want a home sauna, there are many choices. There are portable saunas, barrel saunas, and free-standing sauna rooms. You can have your sauna professionally installed, or you can build a sauna yourself. A pre-cut sauna kit can be customized to fit any location, and offers great savings because you do most of the work. A pre-cut 5' x 7' sauna kit will cost $2500-$3500. You will need some basic tools: a hammer, saw, level, trimming knife, measuring tape, chisel, screwdriver, staple gun, pliers, nail punch, circular saw, sanding block and an electric drill.

Both indoor and outdoor saunas have their pros and cons. Outdoor saunas will cost more to install, because you will have to run plumbing and electrical wiring to the sauna location, as well as building a roof. If you choose to build an indoor sauna, you can build it near your bathroom so that you can use the shower afterward, as well as having a convenient area to dress and undress. Indoor home saunas also give privacy, and can be used all year long.

Whether you choose to have a sauna built, or to do it yourself, it will provide you with years of relaxation. Sauna has been used for enjoyment and therapy for hundreds of years, by people all over the world. The sauna will leave you revitalized, with a feeling of peace and contentment.

The benefits of sauna are both physical and emotional. You'll look and feel better, and your body will function more efficiently. You get all that, and a little time to relax, also. What could be better?

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