Had some great inspirations last month, but there wasn't time to write. . .
But that doesn't keep me away from my work out and sauna.
I like this routine: once a week treadmill 20 minutes - or one mile which ever comes first (now it is the mile that comes first, and that makes me really happy because I save time), pull down lats machine, floor exercises with the swiss ball (fun abs exercises there), free weights, more floor exercises, Hula Hoop (100 reps both ways) and then I am off to the shower and sauna.
To the sauna I come prepared: water bottle (always stays outside the sauna doors) my favorite book, just the right amount of clothing, and a big flannel sheet to line the boards. I really sweat too much in there for a towel to do the trick. I always make sure I have a good book with me. The lighting is fine enough or that in there, and it still feels like an afternoon at the beach. About every 10 minutes I reach out to grab that water bottle.
The ladies at the gym make sure the sauna is heated before I get in. This is a nice feeling, to enter when it is warm, but it doesn't have to be heated up for me to feel good in there.
I read and start to relax. After I finish a chapter or so, I turn off the lights lean back and give myself over to the smooth feeling of rest and sweating. It still feels like an afternoon at the beach. The relaxation is still the same, and I would not say I have gotten used to it or anything. It actually feels better than ever, maybe because I have gotten rid of lots of toxins or something. Yes it does get better all the time for me.
Benefits of Sweating
There are cultures that do it socially, listed in the article. Group sweating! They get together just to sweat together, to talk like some of us go to cafes, especially in northern (hemisphere) climates. Relaxing together is fun.
Most infrared saunas are solo, and the one I use is for solo use. The nice thing about going solo is that you can position yourself as you like. I mostly want my spine to get the infrared rays. It helps a lot with arthritis pain.
I have been in group sauna's too, but the sweat that I get from the Far Infrared is superior, so I don't mind the time alone. It is meditative sometimes, most times, and it nearly always makes me feel a little happier. . like a day at the beach.
