Steam Baths

As the name suggests, steam bath is taken with the help of a steam. It is a very ancient type of bath, which was very popular among ancient Romans and Greeks. Along with relaxing your body and mind, this bath also increases your energy and promotes your health and beauty. These baths are becoming more and more popular these days, and are seen at many places. The advanced steam-generating techniques have made it possible to install steam baths anywhere. They also come at affordable rates.

Steam bath is similar to sauna; however, it differs in the technique of steam generation. It takes place in a sealed cabin having an optimum temperature ranging between 110 ºF (43 ºC) and 116 ºF (46 ºC). This temperature is most appropriate for humans, as it increases the body temperature without causing overheating. The bath requires permanent presence of steam. This is achieved by implementing an efficient steam generator along with a precise control system, to prevent the steam from escaping the cabin.

Correct Method

• Take a shower before the first session.
• If you are comfortable, remove all your clothes, otherwise you can wear a loose cotton wrap. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, as they can interfere with the body temperature.
• Decide your time of stay in the bath according to your sensitivity.
• To avoid overheating your body, don't exceed the time over 15 - 20 minutes.
• Come out of the sealed cabin and cool off your body, either with cool air or cool water.

Additional Tips

• Avoid heavy meals before the bath.
• To avoid dehydration, drink lots of water before the session.
• In order to recover from exertion, eat a salty meal and drink plenty of water, after the session.

Benefits

Following are the various health benefits associated with this bath:

• Enhances the skin
• Improves blood circulation
• Soothes sore muscles
• Increases energy
• Relaxes stiff muscles
• Releases toxins

Steam bath is also beneficial in treating variety of health conditions like:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Chest congestion
• Sinus problems
• Coughs
• Poor blood circulation
• Hoarseness
• Sleeping disorders
• Dry skin
• Muscular pains
• Joint pains

Steam Shower

Using a steam shower is as good as having a steam bath. Steam shower is nothing but a regular shower having a steam generator for producing steam. They are fixed in a sealed cabin to avoid the possibility of water vapor escaping out and damaging the nearby fabrics.

Benefits of Steam Shower

Steam showers also have many beneficial effects on health. Some of them are stated below:

• Improves skin tone
• Kills off the pathogens in the body
• Helps in cleansing the body by removing the toxins
• Boosts the immune system
• Improves flexibility
• Relaxes muscles
• Improves blood circulation
• Helps in treating conditions like asthma, bronchitis, sinus, cold, viral infections, headaches, and migraines

In the beginning, steam showers were found only at health spas or fitness centers. However, nowadays, many people either install them at their bathrooms or convert their existing showers into steam showers, due to their falling rates.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.