Sauna or Steam Room: Which Is Better?

Overview

If you're in the mood for some pampering, step into a steam room or sauna. Although they offer similar benefits and some people use the words interchangeably, steam rooms and saunas create two different environments. Neither environment is necessarily better, but after examining their differences you might decide that one is more beneficial for you.

Differences

The primary difference between a steam room and a sauna is that steam rooms employ moist heat and saunas provide dry heat. Because humidity can cause high temperatures to be physically less tolerable, steam rooms are typically set to temperatures around 100 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternately, saunas can reach temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit because they are so dry. To accommodate the type of heat they offer, steam rooms are typically made of a moisture-safe material such as ceramic tile. Saunas, on the other hand, are typically made of wood.

Unproven Claims

Some enthusiasts believe that steam rooms and saunas are able to detoxify the body, or rid the body of toxins that accumulate by environmental exposure. However, no substantial research has proven this claim to be accurate. Both hot environments undoubtedly cause sweating, but whether this sweat is carrying out toxins has yet to be determined.

Effects

According to Harvard Health online, extreme heat such as that felt in a sauna or steam room will cause physiological responses, including having the temperature of the skin rise to about 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the pulse increasing by at least 30 percent and losing about a pint of sweat. Sometimes this change can have beneficial effects such as improved skin, relaxed muscles, and increased feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being. However, increased temperatures can be dangerous for persons who are pregnant, have high blood pressure or heart disease.

Choosing One

Steam rooms and saunas have similar physical effects, so choosing the "better" one usually becomes a matter of personal preference. For example, if a person doesn't like feelings of extreme humidity she may feel more relaxed in a sauna. She might also be hesitant to enter a room with high humidity because enclosed, humid areas are more susceptible to breeding fungus and bacteria and they might not all be cleaned properly. However, a person with a respiratory condition such as asthma or congestion will likely find that the steam helps clear out airways.

Reducing Risks

No matter what option a person chooses, he can improve his experience by reducing his health risks when he steps into a steam room or sauna. According to Harvard Health online, those entering a sauna should avoid consuming alcohol or medications that could increase the chance of overheating or interfere with their ability to sweat. They should also only stay in the sauna between 15 and 20 minutes and drink between two and four glasses of cool water after exiting. Finally, those feeling unwell before or during the sauna should avoid or leave the sauna. The same rules apply to using a steam room, but those using a steam room may also want to wear sandals when entering to reduce exposure to fungus and bacteria.

Photo Credit: sauna image by Mikhail Olykainen from Fotolia.com

Article reviewed by Kirk Ericson | Last updated on: 04/20/10

http://www.livestrong.com/article/109602-sauna-steam-room-better/#ixzz1VxMLDgsy

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The Rules of Bathroom Storage

Bathrooms, like other activity-intensive rooms, need a refined, systematic plan for storage. Organize them according to the rules of bathroom storage, to make best use of that scarce domestic real estate.

Spartan or spacious, all bathrooms have one thing in common: there's never enough storage space. Plumbing fixtures take center stage, leaving precious little room for lotions and potions. Factor in turf wars between family members competing for the same sink-and-mirror space, and you've got an organizational challenge.

1. "A" is for every day.Active, accessible and meant for daily use — that's the definition of "A" storage areas. In a bathroom, the "A" areas get the toothbrush and the hairdryer, the shampoo bottle and the razor.
"A" storage areas should be user-friendly. They should welcome the groping hand with no hidden hazards, even before the poor, blind shower-taker has inserted his or her contact lenses or found his or her glasses. The vanity countertops, the top drawer, a chrome mesh bucket or hanging organizer in the shower area are all "A" storage areas.

2. "B" is for occasional.Items that are used weekly to monthly should be given homes in the "B" storage areas. The box of nifty, pore-unclogging strips, the collection of hair scrunchies for exercise-class ponytails, nail care equipment and the battery-operated beard trimmer are all consigned to "B" areas.
"B" areas aren't so easy to reach. You'll stretch or bend to reach the middle drawer, the under-sink spaces and the toilet-top storage cupboard. "B" also stands for "box;" candidates for "B" storage can often be accommodated in labeled boxes underneath or behind their more popular "A" companions.

3. "C" is for seldom.Storage areas that are designated "C"s are those that require excessive bending, stretching or standing on tiptoe — and home to those items that are seldom used. They're where you stash the gold-flecked makeup for fancy nights out, the foot-massage machine and the upper-lip mustache wax cooker. If you use an item less than once a month but more than twice a year, it belongs in the lowly "C" category, so put it where the sun doesn't shine.

Personal care centersOne creative solution to bathroom gridlock is to create "centers" for personal care items that will make it easier to outsource bathroom storage. Assign each member of the family a different-colored plastic organizer or basket to hold cosmetics and toiletries. Each person's "center" should hold it all — their toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, shower gel or soap, and any other essential or often-used products — and be stored in that person's bedroom when not in use.
Hang lighted makeup mirrors in bedrooms belonging to teenage girls. Assigning each daughter her own makeup center reduces early-morning squabbling and frees up space in the bathroom. Cosmetics benefit, too, because they stay fresh longer away from heat and steam.
Similarly, set up a health and first aid center in an accessible area away from the bathroom. Storing prescription medicines, over-the-counter remedies and vitamins elsewhere also protects them against the bathroom's harmful heat and moisture. Consider relocating heating pads, hot water bottles, feminine hygiene products and the first aid kit in a cool, dry storage location outside the bathroom. Laundry, too, can be outsourced in collection areas outside the bathroom. Dirty laundry can be collected in the laundry activity center or in individual hampers in family bedrooms

Savings or Safety? Cutting Bathroom ClutterFor many families, bathroom storage areas are a magpie's nest of scent bottles, sample packets and throwaway cosmetics — but given the high prices for health and beauty products, it's hard to know when to keep, when to toss perfumes, cosmetics or grooming products. Keep more than money in mind when cutting bathroom clutter: Using outdated or stale products can be harmful to your health. To help cut ties to the cosmetics pileup, take to heart these issues of health and safety — and get decluttering!

• Perfume loses its potency after 3 years.
• Liquids can support bacterial growth. Liquid and cream foundations are fine to use for between 6 and 12 months, then throw them away.
• Using stale eye-makeup or mascara can cause serious eye infections. Once opened, never keep mascara for longer than 3 months. Liquid eyeliner lasts for about 6 months; powder eyeshadow is usually fine for between 14 months and 2 years.
• Wax-based products such as lipstick and lip balm harden and crumble if kept too long. Throw them away after a year.

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