the-sauna-center.com

by Lawrence Wilson

Everyone today is exposed to heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Particularly for slow metabolizers, an excellent method to detoxify the body is the far-infrared sauna, Its dry, warming energy is highly compatible with the human body. It heats the tissues several inches deep, enhancing metabolic processes. One can construct an excellent sauna at home for under $75.00.

Sauna Benefits

When finished, take a shower, warm or cool but not hot. Avoid using soap if possible as you will be clean. Soap leaves a film and clogs the pores. Wash off the sweat with a skin brush or loofa. Brush all over, even face and hair. Painful at first, it soon feels wonderful. Brushing enhances the cleansing effect. Shampoo and conditioner are used only if needed. Most contain chemicals toxic to the body. Also skip most lotions and creams. These also contain harmful chemicals.

After the sauna drink two glasses of water. Sit or lie down for at least 10 minutes. These simple steps allow your body to reap the full benefit of the sauna experience. As you become healthier, you will sweat more easily. Also, to heat up the sauna will take longer. The body dissipates heat more efficiently and fewer cellular toxins are there to be removed.

An Integrated Health Program

Results are much better when saunas are part of an integrated program. Add to your diet extra sea salt or kelp granules to replace minerals lost through sweating. Eat natural foods grown on mineral-rich soil. Rest and sleep enough, and exercise a little each day. Breathe deeply clean, fresh air. Reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals. Create and maintain a positive environment. Stay happy and bright regardless of what others may say or do.

Constructing a Sauna at Home

Materials. You will need four 250-watt, red infrared bulbs, four flush-mount bulb sockets, fifteen feet of heavy lamp cord, a medium-heavy duty male wall plug and 8 wood screws with which to fasten the sockets, Also recommended are an on-off switch and a thermometer.

Saunas enhance circulation and oxygenate the tissues. Energy production increases, facilitating healing. Heating the tissues speeds up metabolism. Cells are more able to eliminate toxins. Nasal passages open and the sinuses drain.

Fever therapy helps infections heal more quickly. Tumors tolerate heat poorly; weaker than normal cells, raising the temperature hastens their death.

The skin is a major eliminative organ. The skin is inactive in most people. Many do not sweat. Synthetic or tight clothing that does not breathe damages the skin. Sedentary living and sun damage also inactivate the skin. Hundreds of chemicals affect the skin, from lotions and soaps to deodorants. Cleaning solvents, detergent residues and chemicals from bathing water also affect the skin, Repeated use of the sauna slowly restores skin elimination. Toxic chemicals and metals are removed faster than with other methods. It is a daily habit that pays many dividends.

Steam baths, sweat lodges, exercise and hot tubs are other means of sweating. Steam and sweat lodges are often hotter, and more difficult to tolerate. Far-infrared saunas remain below 110[degrees]. Exercise vigorous enough to produce copious sweating is too exhausting for all but the most fit. Hot tubs are good up to a point. Sweating is less than in the sauna and one absorbs chemicals from the water.

Types of Saunas

The traditional sauna is electric, wood or gas-fired. Preheating to 150-200[degrees] degrees is required for copious sweating. The heat may be difficult to tolerate, especially for those who are ill.

Far-infrared heats the body, the air remaining cool. Sweating begins quickly and the experience is pleasant. Preheating is unnecessary which saves electricity. Most far-infrared saunas employ ceramic elements to generate gentle heat. A less costly option is to use infrared bulbs.

According to research, far-infrared is more cleansing than traditional saunas. The deep penetration of the infrared energy allows the cells to eliminate better.

The Sauna Experience

Supervision and Safety.

Saunas are safe for most people providing one follows a few simple rules. When starting out, remain inside no longer than 30 minutes at a time. Those in good health in time may extend this to 50 minutes. Rest lying or sitting for 10 minutes afterwards. This helps the body eliminate dead cells and other debris. Drink mineralized water before and after the sauna. Make sure the bowels move regularly, as sauna therapy will increase elimination.

Use the sauna with supervision if you have a chronic condition. If debilitated or very heat-sensitive, begin with a shorter time. The presence of an attendant or friend is also most helpful. Those with multiple, sclerosis, hyperthyroidism, hypertension or serious heart conditions should consult a health professional.

Slow metabolizers may use the sauna up to twice a day. Upon arising and at bedtime are excellent if time permits. Evening is probably best if you use it once a day. If ill, however, the morning is better when energy levels are higher. Less often is also acceptable if beginning or to maintain your health. If you are very debilitated, begin with once a week. Work up to daily use as you feel able. Fast metabolizers or those whose temperature runs high may use the sauna once or twice a week.

Taking the Sauna. Drink a glass of mineralized water before entering the sauna. Drinking water while in the sauna is not recommended. Add juice or minerals to your water if it is mineral-free. The infrared sauna will not work through clothing. Men, position yourselves so the testicles are not directly exposed to infrared energy. Pass the time meditating or review your day. Use a small towel to wipe off the sweat. Not recommended are talking or working in the sauna.

Ventilate the sauna to avoid breathing toxic gases. This may be built into the design. If you use a bathroom or closet, leave the door slightly ajar.

Bulb Saunas. Turn every few minutes if your sauna uses heat bulbs. Sit on a stool or a chair without a back. Face the bulbs, turn to the side and around to the back. Avoid touching the hot bulbs, though looking at them is okay. Do not let water, a towel or clothing touch the bulbs when they are on. The bulb sauna also provides warming and stimulating color therapy.

Finishing Up. How long you remain inside the sauna depends on your condition. Those who are ill should begin slowly. The sauna should not heat up to more than 1150. Body temperature should not increase more than four degrees. Your pulse should not increase more than 50% of the resting pulse. Fifty minutes is a maximum time. Some days you will sweat more than others.

If placing the unit in a bathroom or closet, you will also need a piece of 1/2″ plywood, 40″ high and 15″ wide. The plywood with bulbs will be placed in a bathroom or closet at least 4′ long, 3′ wide and 6′ high.

If you are building an enclosure, it can be of wood, glass or cardboard. No special materials or construction are required because the temperature stays mild. Build the unit at least 4′ by 3′ by 6′ high. The heat may dissipate if the space is too large. Siding made of cedar or fir is a popular option. The tongue-and-groove siding slides into a frame and no nails are needed. Walls can be built as modules, then screwed together.

Plywood will also work, since the enclosure stays relatively cool. Some sauna companies use glass for at least one wall. Glass reflects far infrared energy and avoids a claustrophobic feeling, though single-pane glass is a poor insulator. Less expensive enclosure options are cardboard boxes or blankets, Tape or staple together two refrigerator boxes. To use blankets, build a frame of wood, and hang blankets over the frame.

Construction. For the one-person sauna, mount the sockets on the plywood or enclosure wall in a diamond shape. The bottom socket is in the center, 12″ from the bottom. Two sockets are 28″ from the bottom of the plywood and 10″ apart. The top socket is centered and 36″ from the bottom. This should form a narrow diamond shape.

Large sockets sold as fixtures can only be wired from the back. Drilling the holes will be more work. You may find smaller flush mount sockets that can be wired from the front. Wire the sockets together in parallel so one bad bulb won’t disable the unit.

With each use, instead of plugging the unit in, it is easier to have a switch. The best is probably a wall switch with an outlet box that can handle 1000 watts. Keep sweaty hands off the switch as they could cause a short.

The bulbs must be the red type, 250 watts each. Do not use the clear ones as their spectrum is not correct. You must not touch the bulbs during use, or let water or anything touch them. Observe all cautions as with any appliance exposed to heat and moisture.

If children or the disabled will use the unit, consider a protective screen. Bend some chicken or stucco wire around the bulbs and staple it to the wood. Another way is to recess the bulbs or place them in reflectors. If building an enclosure, you could place the bulbs behind.

Lean the plywood unit against a bathroom or closet wall. Secure it so it won’t fall over. The enclosure needs be small enough to hold the heat, and large enough to allow turning around.

Ventilate the sauna no matter where you locate it. In a bathroom or closet, leave the door slightly open. If building an enclosure, leave a small opening at or near the top.

Correspondence:

Dr. Lawrence D. Wilson

4950 S. Indian Creek Road

Prescott, Arizona 86303 USA

Re-distributed by: http://www.the-sauna-center.com

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