| If you are like most people, you don't like to | | | | cardiovascular system, raising your pulse rate by |
| sweat...but it may be good for you. And you may | | | | as much as one third to one half. Your blood |
| not even need to exercise work up a sweat. All | | | | pressure does not increase, however, as the heat |
| you have to do is sit back and relax in a steam | | | | causes blood vessels to expand to accommodate |
| room. Steam rooms provide a moist heat that is | | | | the increased blood flow. The result is that you |
| associated with many health benefits including: | | | | get a cardio workout without moving a muscle. |
| Relaxation | | | | As with all health tools, using a steam room |
| Have you ever felt your muscles give up their | | | | requires common sense and a few basic |
| tension in a hot bath or shower? A steam room | | | | precautions. It is always wise to see your doctor |
| acts in much the same way to help relax tense, | | | | before beginning a new healthcare regimen, and |
| stiff muscles. Spending time in a steam room can | | | | regular use of a steam room is no exception. Be |
| ease tension headaches and make you feel more | | | | especially sure to consult with your doctor if you |
| loose, relaxed and limber. To promote even | | | | are or may be pregnant, if you have a history of |
| greater relaxation, steam rooms can be combined | | | | heart problems, or if you have any other medical |
| with the use of essential oils like lavender. | | | | concerns. |
| Detoxification | | | | Remember that being in a steam room will cause |
| The steam room will raise your body | | | | you to perspire and will raise your body |
| temperature and cause you to perspire. This, in | | | | temperature, so make sure you drink plenty of |
| turn, stimulates your immune system. The | | | | fluids both before and after your time in the |
| increased temperature (hyperthermia) destroys | | | | steam room. Skip the steam room if you are |
| bacteria and toxins, flushing them out of the body | | | | already running a fever. |
| through perspiration. | | | | Finally, remember that you don't need to stay in |
| Respiration | | | | the steam room a long time to reap the benefits. |
| Have you ever used a vaporizer when you had | | | | About fifteen minutes is the perfect time. Pay |
| nasal or chest congestion? A steam room | | | | attention to the signals your body sends. If you're |
| functions in much the same way. The warm, | | | | uncomfortable and desperate for cool air, leave |
| moist air helps clear and sooth your nasal | | | | the steam room before the fifteen minutes are |
| passages, throat, and lungs, making it easier for | | | | up. You may need to slowly build up your |
| you to breathe. As discussed above, the steam | | | | tolerance. |
| room can also help fight any illness underlying the | | | | When used appropriately, steam rooms can offer |
| congestion. | | | | a wide array of health benefits. Talk to your |
| Cardiovascular Stimulation | | | | doctor and consider adding regular time in a |
| Being in a steam room puts a mild strain on the | | | | steam room to your health routine. |