Since ancient times, the bathhouse has been very popular in Russia. In it, people washed themselves, were treated for various diseases, took birth and simply relaxed after a hard day's work. She is visited today with friends in order to have a good time. However, due to the influence of Western culture, the Finnish sauna is gradually replacing the bathhouse. At first glance, it might seem that they are similar and there are no fundamental differences, but this is not entirely true. Let's see how the Finnish steam room differs from the Russian one, how to visit it correctly, what health benefits it presents, who can visit it, and who better to abstain.
We understand the concepts
The Finnish steam room for a Russian is one of the exotic ways to have a good rest and relax. But at home, it is considered a sacred place in which the purification of the body and soul takes place. Everyone is used to calling it a "sauna." But no one knows that in translation this word means nothing more than “bathhouse”. The first pair appeared many centuries ago in the territory where the Celts lived. They believed that pairing procedures not only help get rid of various diseases, but also allow you to get closer to the gods. From there, these procedures gradually spread throughout the world until they reached our country.
In those days, the temperature in the room was regulated by heating the stones and pouring them with water. This is the main difference between saunas and Turkish baths, in which you have to breathe hot steam, similar to the dense white haze that fills the room.
general information
The Finnish bathhouse, the photo of which will be presented later in this article, is similar to the Russian one, but there are also certain differences. The main one is the dry type of steam room, in which hot air alternates with cold water, which enhances sweating. The steam room inside is completely finished with wood, and along the walls there are shelves for lying down.
Room heating is carried out using electrical equipment equipped with a thermostat, which allows you to control temperature conditions. Humidity is maintained at 20 percent. This is one of the main requirements that are followed when visiting a Finnish bath. Degrees can vary from 70 to 100, depending on personal wishes and the state of health of each person. After visiting the steam room, you should definitely plunge into the pool with cold water. This is the only way to achieve good perspiration and maximum health benefits.
Key Features
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Many people are interested in the question of how the Russian bath differs from the Finnish sauna. As mentioned earlier, they are very similar. The only difference is the temperature regime and the pairing procedures. In saunas, the air heats up to 70 degrees, which allows them to be equipped not only in individual buildings, but also in private houses and even city apartments. In Finland, there is absolutely every steam room in every home.
The principle of the steam room is very simple. Near one of the walls there is an electric stove with a thermostat, heating stones, from which heat is transferred. Some saunas have wood-burning fireplaces. In this case, to increase the level of safety and the removal of carbon monoxide in the room, a chimney is also made.
Additional steam in the Finnish steam room (photos of various interior decoration options can be viewed later) is not produced, since it will worsen perspiration and reduce the positive effect of the procedures on the body. After staying at high temperatures, you must definitely plunge into cold water. Contrast exposure promotes hardening and enhances protective functions.
It is traditionally customary to build saunas near natural reservoirs. Finland has more than 4,000 lakes and rivers, so there are no special problems with this. But if this is not possible, then an additional extension is being built, in which they make a pool. Now, probably, many will have a question about what are the differences between the Finnish steam room and the Russian one. A distinctive feature is the procedures themselves. Finns, unlike us, do not use brooms. They just sit in the steam room and relax, after which they plunge into cold water, drink tea or alcohol and chat with their friends.
Differences of a sauna from a bath
This aspect should be given special significance. So we came to one of the most exciting questions for many Russians, the answer to which only a few know. What is the difference between a Finnish steam room and a Russian one?
Among the main differences are the following:
- In saunas, the air is drier and hotter due to low humidity. The air temperature can reach 100 degrees, so in order not to cause harm to health, it is necessary to follow some rules for the proper visit to the steam rooms. They will be described later. As for the baths, the situation in them is completely different. The maximum temperature in the steam room reaches 80 degrees with an air humidity of 80 percent.
- Another important difference is the features of the furnace. In saunas, stones are heated using electric heating equipment or wood stoves. They are not watered with water to keep humidity low. In Russian baths, stones are placed directly on the stove, where they are periodically doused to produce additional steam.
- Another characteristic feature of the Finnish steam room, as mentioned earlier, is the lack of paraphernalia. Finns do not use brooms. They are convinced that there is no practical benefit from them, but getting a few serious burns is quite realistic.
- In Russian baths, after pairing procedures, they are cooled in a font or in natural reservoirs, if available near the building. In the winter, preference is given to ice holes, since they achieve the most contrasting temperature effect on the body. In saunas, bathing takes place in pools with water at room temperature.
Among the key features of the Russian bath can be identified:
- for more efficient heat distribution, rooms are built with ceilings 3 meters high;
- to reduce heat loss, ventilation is not provided;
- To heat a steam room, a furnace with a closed heater is constructed, which is sealed from the main room with a sealed door. Before starting pairing procedures, the room is preheated for about 2-3 hours.
The characteristic features of the Finnish bath (the benefits and harms of which will be discussed later) are:
- The height of the ceilings does not exceed 2 meters, this is necessary for faster heating of the steam room.
- The saunas have an integrated ventilation system.
- The furnaces are built with an open-type heater with an external laying out of stones.
- There are up to four shelves in the steam rooms. The lower ones are for sitting, and the upper ones are for lying. Thus, up to 6 people can steam at the same time.
That's all the key aspects and differences regarding the Russian and Finnish steam rooms. The photos of both species are very similar, but some differences can be noticed. But despite this, the wooden decoration looks simply amazing.
Who is recommended for paired procedures?
Let's dwell on this aspect in more detail. The benefits of the Finnish bath are quite obvious. She is regularly visited and included in the training program by many professional world-class athletes. Paired procedures contribute to increased sweating, so the body loses excess moisture. Also, some nutritionists recommend them to people who are overweight. In combination with physical activity and proper nutrition, you can get rid of body fat in just a few weeks and bring your body in full order. However, this is far from everything that is useful for paired procedures in the sauna.
They also contribute to the following:
- hardening of the body and increasing its resistance to negative environmental factors;
- elimination of symptoms of chronic fatigue and depression;
- activation of all body systems;
- increasing the effectiveness of the treatment of various diseases of the epidermis;
- normalization of the functioning of the urethra, nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems;
- improved blood circulation;
- prevention of certain pathologies of the respiratory tract;
- improved metabolism;
- harmful effects on pathogenic microorganisms that can lead to the development of many serious diseases.
If you know how to steam in a Finnish bath, you can not only improve your health, but also strengthen your immune system. As practice shows, with regular paired procedures, people are much less likely to get sick.
Contraindications
It is advisable to familiarize yourself with this aspect in the first place. Despite the fact that paired procedures are of great health benefit, nevertheless there are a number of restrictions under which it is recommended to refrain from them. Among the main contraindications of the Finnish bath are the following:
- excessive obesity;
- coronary artery disease;
- dyspnea;
- gout;
- chronic hypertension;
- malignant tumors;
- severe vascular atherosclerosis;
- tuberculosis;
- asthma;
- pneumonia;
- thrombosis;
- epilepsy attacks;
- during rehabilitation after surgery;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- radiculitis;
- fever;
- various pathologies of the cardiovascular system and respiratory organs, proceeding in an acute form;
- inflammation of the internal organs.
In addition, it is strictly forbidden to take children under four years old and elderly people into the sauna. To avoid unwanted consequences and health problems, it is recommended that you consult a doctor first.
Preparing for the sauna
If you decide to take a steam bath, then before entering the steam room you need to remove all metal objects and jewelry from the body. At a temperature of 100 degrees, they quickly heat up and leave a severe burn on the body. On the day on which the visit is planned, it is not recommended to overload yourself too much and perform heavy physical work. If the street is very cold and you are cold, then first you need to take a warm bath. Abrupt exposure to large temperature changes is hazardous to health and can lead to very serious consequences.
Doctors say that one entry into the steam room should not last more than 15 minutes. In this case, if you feel bad, it is better to interrupt the procedure. Among the alarming symptoms, one can distinguish a feeling of general malaise, darkening in the eyes, dizziness and nausea. In this case, do not make too sharp movements, as they can provoke a sharp jump in blood pressure and fainting.
If you have never been to saunas before, it is advisable to start with a minimum temperature of 70 degrees. It is very difficult even to completely healthy and physically strong people to withstand high heat the first time.
How to steam?
This aspect should be given special significance. In order to get maximum pleasure from the pairing procedures and at the same time not to harm your health, it is necessary to follow some rules of visiting the Finnish bath. Here are the main ones:
- Steam in the sauna should be at least 2 hours after the last meal.
- The duration of one procedure should not exceed a quarter of an hour.
- Before entering the steam room, you need to take a shower and wipe the body dry.
- You need to steam in a prone position, spreading a dry towel on a shelf.
- If you want to drink during the procedures, it is best to quench your thirst with green or herbal tea, kvass, compote or still water.
- After you take a steam bath, you must definitely take a contrast shower or take a dip in the pool.
- Starting from the second procedure, the length of stay in the steam room can be slightly increased, however, the total time should not exceed three hours.
- It is better to divide the session into two parts of 3 sets, between which it is necessary to rinse in the shower and allow the body to cool slightly.
These simple rules will make visiting a Finnish steam room not only useful, but also unforgettable. In addition, they completely eliminate the likelihood of harm to health, which is also important.
What to bring to the sauna with you?
Above it was described in detail about how to steam in a Finnish bath. But to make the session comfortable, you need to take some equipment with you. Now let's talk about it in more detail. Inveterate lovers of steam argue that you can not do without the following:
- Slippers. The saunas have high humidity, which creates ideal conditions for the development of the fungus. Shoes will help protect your feet from him. It is best to use slippers with rubber soles so as not to slip on slippery floors.
- Beanie. It is needed to protect the head from high temperature. If you take a steam bath without it, then it is likely to get a heat stroke just a few minutes after the start of the procedure. In addition, the cap will keep your scalp dry and prevent burns.
- Towel. It is advisable to take a couple. One is to lay a shelf in the steam room, and the second is to wipe the body after a shower or pool.
- Bathrobe. Many people prefer to go to public saunas and baths without clothes, but walking naked in front of strangers can be very shy.
This list includes the most necessary items, without which you simply can not do. You can include any other things that you think will be useful.
Conclusion
This article described in detail what the main differences between the Finnish and Russian baths are, what health benefits the procedures are and what contraindications they have, as well as how to steam so as to get maximum pleasure. If you have never been to a sauna before, then you need to visit it at least once in your life. You will personally see that there is nothing better than sitting a little in a room warmed up to high temperatures, and then plunge into a cool pool. Few things in life can give such a pleasure, especially if shared with friends and loved ones.