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Saunas, Steam Baths and Jacuzzis? Clearing Up the Confusion
Saunas have existed for thousands of years, but for many people, they are
a new phenomenon. The sauna craze has overtaken the Americas, Europe, Asia
and Africa, with millions of people discovering the health and social
benefits of regular sauna baths. But what Joe calls 'sauna' Josephine may
call 'steam bath' and Jocelyn may call 'Turkish bath'. Is there a
difference? This article will explore the meaning of the various terms
associated with this relaxing and beneficial form of bathing.
Sauna
The sauna is an integral part of Finnish and Swedish culture. Most homes
have a sauna and most people use the sauna several times a week. These
saunas generate a dry heat between 70 and 100 degrees Celsius. From time
to time water is thrown on heated stones to produce a thick cloud of steam
that makes the sauna feel hotter. After spending about 10 to 30 minutes in
the sauna most people take a cold shower or swim in the lake. During
winter, some people even roll in the snow.
Finnish and Swedish saunas are social affairs and may include family
members, friends or business associates. They are always taken in the
nude. Whether or not men and women take a sauna together depends on their
relationships and to some extent, their age. Public saunas however are
usually single-sex.
Swedish saunas have become popular in North America and are part of the
facilities of many public swimming pools. Each pool sets its own policies
on nudity. Some pools have certain periods for single-sex use when nude
swimming and nude saunas are the norm. At other times bathing suits may be
required in the sauna.
Turkish Bath
The Turkish bath is also known as hamam. It is a type of steam bath and
the heat is much lower than in Finnish or Swedish sauna. The steam would
scald the skin if it was too hot, so steam baths are kept at around 40
degrees Celsius.
Traditional Turkish baths are large buildings and serve as social
gathering places as much as places to get clean. There are separate rooms
for men and women, and the bath building is divided into three areas –
hot, warm, and cool.
Steam Bath
Steam baths have a constant humidity level around 100%. They are kept
about 40 degrees Celsius. Many people prefer steam baths over saunas
because the high humidity is easier to breathe and has beneficial effects
on the respiratory system.
Hot Tub
There are 3 types of hot tubs - wooden barrels, fiberglass whirlpools or
bathtub spas.
The first type is made from wooden slats and has a water pump and
filtering system to circulate and clean the water. It is usually installed
outdoors and has benches around the perimeter so that people can soak
comfortably with their heads just above water level.
The second type has high pressure 'jets' that create a whirlpool effect.
The jets are useful for water massage or hydrotherapy. They are often
installed at public swimming pools or health clubs. These are know as
'Jacuzzis' after the company that popularized them.
The third type is often installed in private homes as a replacement for
the regular bathtub. It is similar in size to a traditional bathtub but
has additional jets for circulating the water.
The terms 'spa' 'hot tub' and 'Jacuzzi' are often interchanged and can
refer to the same thing – a tub of water for 1 or more people that
contains circulating water and/or water jets.
A spa can also be a resort where you receive body treatments such as
massage and hydrotherapy. Many spas have 'spas' - sauna facilities
including steam baths, hot tubs and Jacuzzis.
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