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Saunas vs Steam Showers
We all know the benefits of finding ways to relax after a long day’s work, whether it be enjoying a cold beer, a glass of wine, or simply slumping down in a comfortable chair and turning on the TV. However, there are also other ways that can have these same effects, while also providing a number of additional health benefits.
Both steam showers and saunas can be an excellent way to unwind in the comfort of your own home. However, there is one common misconception that many people have about these products—namely that they are basically the same thing—when in fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
It is true that both of these devices are designed to help you sweat away your stresses from a hard day of working, which in turn can help clean your skin, rid your body of toxins and let your cares slip away. However, the way that they do so is completely different.
This is because saunas are based around the principle of dry heat and typically get incredibly warm—often well above 45° Celsius—whereas steam showers use a combination of heat and moisture to achieve these same desired results with a much lower temperature. In fact, the human body couldn’t stand so much moist heat and steam at that temperature without your skin getting scalded.
Which is Better? Dry vs. Moist Heat
In a sauna, you simply sit inside and enjoy the effects of the heat. Alternatively, in a steam shower your body is lovingly caressed by a blanket of warm, moist air. Both products can be incredibly effective at getting rid of sore muscles and joints, as heat is known to be one of the best cures for this problem.
However, as far as the health benefits of the two go, steam showers are definitely superior. This is because the steam itself has also been shown to be effective in treating a variety of other conditions as well, including bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory ailments.
Still, the biggest and most important difference between the two lies in the multi-functionality of steam showers. If you decide to install a sauna in your home, you will be taking up the space with a product that serves only one purpose—that is, creating a hot, dry place for you to sit and relax. With a steam shower on the other hand, you’ll not only be getting the benefits of having your very own steam room, but as the name suggests, also a high quality shower to go along with it.
At the end of the day, the choice of which is right for you will probably come down to personal preference, as some people prefer dry heat over steam. Nonetheless, considering all of the added benefits of steam showers, we wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already made up your mind and decided to go with the relaxing effects only a steam shower can provide.