What is the difference between bathhouses and saunas?

Modern bathhouses and saunas are equally popular among fans of good rest. Any connoisseur knows the difference between the two places for relaxation.

To understand what is the difference between the Russian bathhouse and the Finnish sauna, it is necessary to consider both premises and their features. The difference here is significant, it lies in the fact that the Russian bath is steam, it uses humid air, but in the Finnish sauna for the procedure uses only dry air. In addition, each separate steam room has certain features. It is possible to distinguish the premises by the following parameters:

• temperature regime;
• air humidity;
• the impact on the human body.

The most important difference is the ratio of temperature regime with humidity. If in the classic Russian bath the temperature should be within 50-70 degrees, the humidity can be up to 100%. Due to this combination, a large amount of steam is obtained in the room. In addition, due to the high humidity the moisture does not leave the body. Therefore, the whole human body is very well heated.

As for the Finnish bath, the temperature of the room is 90-120 degrees, and the humidity, unlike in the Russian bath, does not exceed 25%. As a result, the human body warms up well, there is profuse sweating, and then the moisture evaporates from the skin.

Another difference between a steam bath and a dry sauna is the installation of the furnace, as well as the arrangement of the stones. In a Russian bath, the stones are behind closed doors. There they heat up to the maximum temperature very quickly. At the same time they retain heat in the room for a long time. In the sauna, the stones are necessarily placed on the outside side. This approach significantly affects the warmth of the room. After all, the heat from the stones goes directly into the room itself.

As for the Russian stove, our ancestors have thought out everything very well. Its main part should be located in the pre-bath, and with the steam room it should be connected only by one wall. Thus, the air in the room where one is steaming cannot burn the skin. At the same time it warms up the room very well. If the temperature in the room begins to fall, it is necessary to pour water on the stones. After this, the room will be filled with hot steam.

Today many people use electric stoves instead of conventional ones. After all, in this way it is possible not only to regulate the temperature in the room, but also to keep the heat exactly as much as necessary. We can not ignore such a room as an infrared sauna. This is a small cabin, in which all around the perimeter are special heating elements. It is they emit infrared waves.

Outgoing heat perfectly warms up the whole human body. It is worth noting that the temperature inside it does not exceed 55 degrees, which is completely safe for humans. The main difference of this sauna is that it is not the air in the cabin that is heated, but the body itself.

A very important element of any building is ventilation. If in the Finnish sauna it is due to the balance of both the external and internal pressure, the Russian bath is a steam room with excess pressure. Ventilation in the Russian bath may be natural.

In this case, the room must necessarily have exhaust and supply valves. Through them, the air enters the steam room, is heated there, and then comes out. In addition, the ventilation system can also be forced. In this case, special devices are installed in the room, which control the air flow.

In a Finnish sauna, unlike in a bathhouse, air cannot flow into the room naturally, because the thermal insulation prevents it. For this reason, it is mandatory to make ventilation holes with sliders in the walls. The inflow hole is located at 30 centimeters from the floor, and the exhaust - 30 centimeters from the ceiling.

It is worth noting that none of the Russian baths can not do without the broom. After all, when the bath attendant begins to wave it, the air immediately becomes even hotter. In addition to this, in the bath one can not only sit or lie, but also move around as needed. For example, you can take a steam bath, wash, give a "heat". At the same time in the steam room will still be easy to breathe. The broom will not last long in the sauna. Literally after the first treatment, it will dry out and crumble.

If we talk about saunas, then one of the important elements that must be present is the pool. After all, it is through changing the temperature regime, that is, changing the hot air in the steam room for a cool water in the pool, you can achieve a healthful effect. But in the Russian bath its presence is not required. In the olden days it was customary to build a bathhouse near a pond or simply put a tub with water nearby. Now this tradition is respected.

It is very difficult to answer this question, because everyone has his own preferences, as well as his own opinion about each building material. For example, for the construction of the sauna can apply not only natural wood, but also some harmless artificial counterparts. If we talk about the bath, then only natural materials are used for the construction. It is worth noting that our ancestors used moss as an insulator.

In any case, before the construction of any of the buildings, it is necessary to determine not only the location, but also the internal layout. In addition, it is necessary to know that the bath must be placed at a distance of 10 meters from any building on the site.

For example, the sauna should be divided into the following zones:

• a locker room, equipped with benches or small sofas, as well as lockers for storing clothes;
• steam room;
• washing room, which can be a shower, and the pool, and even a massage room;
• optional relaxation room.

In a Russian bath, in addition to the steam room, there must be a pre-bath, where a person can leave his clothes. Some owners also equip a recreation room, where after the bath you can drink tea with your family or friends.

Given the fact that the temperature and humidity in the bath and sauna are significantly different, the impact on the human body is different. Determine for yourself what will be better for your health, each person must independently. Considering one of the points of view, it is worth saying that it is best to create conditions that will be as similar to natural. Such a microclimate is created in a Russian bath. It will be much easier for a beginner to cope with the load in it, because in the sauna the temperature is almost twice as high as in the bath.

So, For example, a person can be in the steam room for the first time about 20 minutes. Then it is necessary to cool your body and just in 10 minutes continue the procedure. As for the sauna, experts recommend finishing the first run in 5-7 minutes. The second time you can go in only after half an hour.

If we talk about the positive impact of the sauna on human health, then visiting such an institution is recommended for those people who have such problems.

• With the cardiovascular system. During a steam bath significantly increases blood circulation throughout the body. For this reason, even those vessels that previously did not take part in this process begin to work actively.
• With the kidneys. With excessive sweating the amount of urine in the body decreases significantly, and therefore the activity of the kidneys decreases.
• With not too high blood pressure.
• With liver disease.
• With cold symptoms.
• With inflammation of the genital system.

In addition, it is necessary to visit the sauna for those who suffer from the following ailments:

• sciatica;
• asthma;
• allergies;
• polyarthritis;
• gout.

However, there are some contraindications to both the sauna and the bath. These include such diseases.

• Almost all skin diseases. If the rash is small, it is better to consult a doctor whether to cancel the visit.
• Cancer with metastases.
• Any form of tuberculosis.
• Stones in the ureters, as well as in the kidneys.
• Diarrhea.
• Hepatitis.
• Acute forms of arthritis and rheumatism.
• Epilepsy.
• Migraine.
• Low and too high pressure.

If there are no contraindications, then you should not put off your trip to the sauna. After all, there you can not only relax, but also:

• get rid of fatigue for the day;
• cleanse your pores;
• get rid of stress;
• remove toxins from the body;
• lose a little extra weight, and reduce cellulite;
• strengthen the immune system;
• enjoy aromatherapy;
• harden your body.

To begin with, it is worth getting acquainted with the traditions of the sauna. The Finnish people regarded such a room as a place where interesting rituals and witchcraft were performed. When the Finns visited it, they believed that time stopped and their movements slowed down at that moment. All of them believed that after visiting the sauna they could get rid of all their ailments. Among the Slavic peoples the bathhouse was originally the safest place to give birth. In addition, all the girls were guessing their betrothed in the bath. It was believed that in the bath there lived a "bathing" spirit, which could steep a sinful man to death. That is why everybody tried not only not to swear, but to speak softly in the steam room in order not to scandalize the spirit.

There is another interesting tradition of the Slavs, which has survived in some regions to this day. Just before the wedding, the future daughter-in-law and mother-in-law would go together for a steam bath. The latter had to make sure that her daughter-in-law was so healthy.

See the following video about the differences between the sauna and the sauna.