Create a Holistic Day Spa Experience

with a Sauna

With its deep tissue massage, pampering skin treatments, and mood-uplifting music, a spa day is the perfect way to de-stress and spend some me-time after a busy week. 

 

However, if you want to turn this already blissful experience into an ultimate wellness retreat, consider adding a sauna to your spa rituals. These steamy sanctuaries have been known to relieve muscle tension, boost your immune system, and relax your mind.

 

In this blog post, we'll guide you through creating a next-level, holistic day spa experience with a sauna right in your own home. Bring on those comfy robes, face masks, and essential oils, and let's get started!

 

All About Saunas

 

Saunas play a classic and pivotal role in holistic wellness. 

 

There are two different types of saunas available on the market, including:

 

Traditional Saunas

 

Dating back over 2,000 years, traditional saunas are as old-school as it gets, but they still reign supreme regarding wellness. These saunas come with an electric or wood-fired stove that heats up a pile of stones. 

 

These stones then ramp up the sauna's temperature to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. You can pour a ladle of water onto the heated stones to fill the room with warm, moist steam. 

 

The combination of heat and humidity induces whole-body sweat and cleanses your skin for a healthy glow. It also boosts cardiovascular health, relieves respiratory issues, and even enhances athletic endurance. 

 

 

Infrared Saunas

 

Infrared saunas are modern marvels that utilize heating panels to increase your body's temperature. These rays penetrate deep into your skin, activating your body's thermoreceptors and triggering sweat production. 

 

Infrared saunas often reach temperatures between 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect for those who want a relaxing yet effective session.

 

While infrared saunas are not as hot as traditional ones, they still emit different wavelengths, such as near, mid, and far, for cellular-level detoxifications, better sleep, joint pain relief, chronic fatigue, and skin rejuvenation. 

 

Why Use Saunas for a Spa Day? 

 

A spa day isn't merely a pampering session; it's a chance to connect with your body, detox on various levels, and ultimately revive your spirit. When you add a sauna to the mix, you find the ultimate self-care and optimal well-being recipe. 

 

Here are some compelling reasons to turn up the heat on your next spa day:

 

Detoxify Your Body

 

Most spas offer treatments like seaweed body wraps and mud baths. These gems pack potent detox properties that help absorb impurities and eliminate toxins. Once you steep yourself in a sauna post-treatment, you turn the detox dial up a notch. 

 

Research shows that high sauna temperatures encourage sweat production, which helps flush out harmful toxins like cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead. This ultimately leads to improved energy levels, better digestion, and a clearer mind.

 

Alleviate Stress

 

Massages are an inherent part of any spa day, which helps you de-stress and relieve anxiety. When you supplement these deep tissue massages with sauna, research shows that it helps lower cortisol levels and stimulates the production of endorphins, aka "feel-good" hormones, helping you feel calm and stress-free.

 

Ease Muscle and Joint Pain

 

Hot stone therapies or deep-tissue massages are perfect for those who want to relieve aching muscles and joints. Follow up the spa treatment with quality sauna time, and you've got an all-natural pain relief session. 

 

Studies show that infrared sauna rays penetrate deep into the tissues and muscles, helping widespread pain such as fibromyalgia.

 

Arthritis Foundation further explains that sauna heat helps loosen stiff joints and deliver vital nutrients to damaged tissues, speeding up recovery after intense exercise or physical activity while improving flexibility.

 

Enhance Skin Health

 

If you're someone who swears by facials, manicures, and pedicures on your spa days, you would love a sauna session. 

 

Studies show that sauna heat helps open up your pores, helping to expel any stubborn impurities that have been wreaking havoc on your skin in the form of acne and blackheads. 

 

The heat also stimulates collagen production and increases cell turnover rate, so you can say goodbye to pesky wrinkles and fine lines and hello to radiantly glowing skin.

 

The Best Saunas for Enhancing Your Spa Day

 

Whether you're planning a soul-soothing solo retreat or an intimate couple's rendezvous, the right sauna can seriously spice up your spa day. 

The following are some of the best saunas available on the market:

 

 

 

Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna

 

If you want to make your spa day extra special, the Almost Heaven Salem 2-Person Barrel Sauna is the right choice for you. This barrel sauna has four wooden options: white fir, rustic cedar, onyx upgrade, and thermally modified hemlock. Each of these woods is rot-resistant and lends an aromatic scent for creating a unique ambiance. 

 

The distinct barrel shape helps increase heating efficiency and has a roomier interior. As for space, the sauna features two hem fir lumber benches designed for optimal comfort. The LED mood lighting allows you to set the ideal light to harmonize with your body's energies. 

 

With a unique ball-and-socket profile that's coupled with stainless steel banding, the sauna ensures strength and longevity. The polymer support cradles help keep your sauna stable while keeping moisture at bay. 

 

This barrel sauna even comes with an integrated outside sitting area, which can be used to place your plush towels, sip refreshing drinks, or simply cool down between the invigorating sauna rounds.

 

 

Health Mate Renew Infrared Sauna

 

The Health Mate Renew Infrared Sauna combines impressive features with modern technology for a completely immersive, soul-soothing experience. This infrared sauna is crafted using all-natural, non-toxic, sustainably sourced eucalyptus, providing a fresh, aromatic atmosphere.

 

This sauna comes with a TruInfra back wall heater and a Tecoloy FAR infrared heater to enhance circulation, encourage detoxification, relieve muscle tension, and offer unparalleled relaxation. This heater has a low EMF rating, so you don't have to worry about harmful electromagnetic exposure.

 

With 48-diode chromotherapy lights offering a rainbow spectrum, you can pick a color that suits your spa-day mood and enjoy the associated therapeutic benefits. Thanks to its built-in Bluetooth audio speakers, you can play everything from your favorite music to meditation tracks to bring out a sense of ecstasy. 

 

The sauna has inside and outside control panels, making temperature adjustments a breeze. Modern yet timeless, the stunning glass door enhances the aesthetics and helps you keep an eye on what's happening outside.

 

Tips to Create a Spa-like Ambiance in a Sauna

 

While stepping into a sauna and letting it work its magic might seem straightforward, follow these tips to create a spa-like ambiance:

 

• Infuse a pitcher of ice-cold water with cucumber slices, berries, or mint for a refreshing spa-worthy drink.

• Add a drop or two of your favorite essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint to make your sauna smell like a luxurious spa in no time.

• Choose your chill tunes or calming ambient sounds to set the mood of a holistic day spa. Even better, try a guided meditation.

• Rather than just sitting, engage in some light yoga or stretch exercises designed for saunas. 

• Get your hands on ultra-fluffy, high-end towels to swipe that sweat in style. 

• As for clothing, consider using a silk robe for that luxurious spa-worthy touch and capturing post-sauna selfies. You can also invest in an Auroom Sauna Hat to protect your head and mane from high heat while enjoying your sauna session.

• While you're sweating out toxins, give your feet some love with a refreshing foot soak. You can even prep a homemade, all-natural face mask using pantry staples like oatmeal, honey, and yogurt. Since the heat will open up your pores, this face mask will further nourish your skin and give it a healthy glow.

• Invest in a Himalayan salt panel that can purify the air inside the sauna if possible. For a soothing touch, you can also place crystals such as selenite, rose quartz, or black tourmaline.

• Finish off your sauna session with a refreshing hydrotherapy shower. Maya Bath steam showers come with hydromassage jets that effectively target pressure points for optimal relief.

• Wind down your holistic day spa session with some calming herbal tea that promotes relaxation and gives off cozy vibes.

 

 

Safety Tips for Using Sauna at Holistic Day Spa

 

Here are some important safety nuggets to keep in mind when planning a sauna session for a holistic day spa:

 

• Guzzle down an isotonic drink or coconut water before hopping inside the sauna. Make it a habit to bring along a water bottle with you, especially if you plan on staying longer than 15 minutes. This will keep your body temperature in check and prevent dehydration.

• While a watch or diamond ring may look beautiful, it can quickly heat up in high temperatures and potentially cause burns. To prevent this, avoid wearing them inside.

• Stepping into a sauna with a full stomach could make you feel uncomfortable or nauseous. Opt for a light snack or carry a granola bar to check your energy and sugar levels.

• Start with shorter periods (10–15 minutes), gradually increasing your stay in the sauna. Never exceed 30 minutes in one go to avoid overheating. When in doubt, use a sand timer like Almost Heaven Saunas Sand Timer to keep track of every minute inside. 

• After a sauna session, do not go for a cold plunge immediately. Instead, wait for 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, drink more water to replenish lost fluid and normalize your body temperature.

• If you're suffering from heart disease or generally feeling under the weather, get a green light from your doctor when planning a sauna session.

   

FAQs: Holistic Day Spa

Should I opt for a traditional sauna or an infrared one for my spa day?

 

It depends on your health goals and personal preferences. Traditional saunas crank up the heat, giving you that classic, sweat-it-out cleanser. On the other hand, infrared saunas, with their moderate temperature, deliver a more mellow experience to relieve muscle tension and de-stress.

 

Is it good to go to the sauna after a massage?

 

Absolutely! A sauna session can be a great way to further relax those tense muscles after a massage. 

 

How long should I stay in a sauna?

 

While there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this, listening to your body is a good rule of thumb. Many sauna-goers find that 15–20 minutes is the sweet spot, as it can help reap all the sauna benefits without becoming overly dehydrated or uncomfortable.

 

Always remember to get out if you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, or overly exhausted — that's your body's way of saying it's had enough sauna time for now.

 

What should you not do after a sauna?

 

After a sauna, avoid any intense physical activities or consuming alcoholic beverages. Instead, sit outside to normalize your body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. 

 

Take a shower with lukewarm water, and then do post-shower skincare to end your spa day on a high note!

 

Holistic Day Spa: Final Words

 

While the allure of therapeutic massages, herbal facials, and salt scrubs is undeniable, a sauna session can further elevate your holistic spa day experience. 

 

At MySaunaWorld, we offer an extensive collection of traditional Finnish and infrared saunas and a range of accessories. Have you got questions? Feel free to contact us, and let's set you on the way to a spa-worthy sauna experience at home.