Sauna
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Saunas are enclosed areas that allow you to reap the benefits of steam. Used for centuries, saunas and steam rooms increase blood circulation, open up clogged pores and increase the feeling of well being. Regular sauna baths can be beneficial for patients with chronic heart failure, according to the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Most people go to the gym to visit a sauna room. However, your bathroom can easily be converted into a sauna.

Running water flowing from faucet into bathtub
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Pick the smallest bathroom in your house to turn into a sauna. A smaller room will heat up faster and the heat will be a lot more concentrated.

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Use heavy towels or cloth to cover up any gaps where the heat can potentially escape. Place a towel on any gaps you see on the doorway. Place a towel over any open vents and on drafty windows. Covering up any gaps and holes will ensure that the steam stays concentrated in the bathroom with no leaks.

Mixer tap with water in a bathroom
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Run the hot water in your bathtub. Point the shower head toward the wall. You want the steam to escape and engulf the room, so keep the shower curtains open. If the running water does not allow you to do this, don't worry. It'll take a bit longer for the steam to engulf the room with closed curtains, but it'll still do the trick.

spa and wellness treatment at sauna
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Remove your clothes as the heat increases. Sit next to the bathtub or on the toilet and allow the steam to engulf you. The University of Oulu reports that steam can help alleviate asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. The heat will help dissolve excess phlegm and mucus, allowing you to breathe easier. Another reason why saunas and steam rooms might be beneficial to asthma sufferers is that the steam can lower stress, subsequently lowering the occurrence of asthma attacks.

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Turn off the hot water as soon as you hit your heat tolerance. Once you are finished, take an invigorating cold rinse to cool your body off.

Tip

Keep a towel and a bucket of cool water near you. Dip the towel into the water and rinse your body if the heat is starting to make you feel uncomfortable.

Drink plenty of water before, during and after the sauna session. The steam will increase sweating and will dehydrate your body. Keep your body hydrated by having a bottle of water near you while in the sauna room.

Warning

Avoid food and alcohol before the sauna session. The extreme heat from the sauna can make you feel nauseous. Eat a small salad or a protein drink, if needed. The alcohol can also cause you to sleep in the sauna, which can result in depressed blood flow, subsequently negating the beneficial effects of the steam.