Steam rooms have been used for centuries because of their rejuvenating and healing benefits. Ancient civilizations such as the Greek, Roman and Ottoman were well aware of the beneficial and soothing effects of steam rooms to the mind and body and were often part of their daily routine. Although similar to saunas, steam rooms provide unique benefits because of the quality of humidity.
Types of steam baths:
- Steam baths vary by temperature, level of humidity and minerals. The combinations of each of these three elements offer an array of health benefits, and are great opportunities to practice relaxation and meditation. The most popular types of steam baths are:
- Steam bath (Classic): Also known as Hamam, it is the standard steam room with a moderate temperature of 40 to 45ºC with 100% humidity.
- Steam bath with salt mist: Adding salt mist to a classic steam bath creates a marine atmosphere with a nebulizing effect that soothes you and greatly improves the bronchi, mucous membranes and upper and lower respiratory tracts. It can work wonders for breathing ailments such as pneumonia and asthma, and also for sinusitis and the lingering effects of a nasty cold that won’t leave your body alone. It is also great for alleviating skin-related conditions.
- Lacunicum: With a higher temperature of 65ºC and no humidity, it generates an enjoyable perspiration that lets you feel how your body eliminates fatty acids, toxins and impurities.
- Calidarium: Ranging from 45 to 48ºC, and with an adjustable humidity of medium to high, its primary purpose is to assist in overall relaxation, skin and muscle toning. It also helps cleanse pores and stimulate blood circulation. These baths can be enhanced with essences and natural aromas.
- Tepidarium: With a lower temperature of 37 - 39ºC and low humidity, the heat is evenly circulated through the entire body. It is extremely helpful for recovering after an exhausting day for regenerative activities and immune support.
Benefits of the steam room
Healthier skin
Since steam stimulates sweat, it is a great method of detoxing and cleansing. Hot steam therapy can do wonders for your skin, especially when it comes to removal of clogged pores and blackheads on your face. By increasing your peripheral blood flow, your skin complexion remarkably improves, and for dry and irritated skin ailments such as eczema and dermatitis, the steam becomes a calming treatment that cleanses, hydrates and rebalances the overstimulated sebum glands.
Muscle relaxation
Steam baths are very beneficial in muscle relaxation and recovery. Just as low temperatures cause your body to go rigid, high temperatures make your inner temperature rise and loosen up your muscles in a very pleasant way. A steam bath can easily be supplemented with a massage, which can be very helpful in kneading out stress-induced knots on our necks and backs.
Open your airways
While in a steam room, humidity and moisture prevents our body from cooling itself. Breathing in an atmosphere that balances our inner and outer temperatures is very helpful to loosen up bronchial secretions and for opening up and clearing our airways. Unobstructed breathing leads to a deeper relaxation.
Improve your blood circulation
Not only do steam baths benefit your skin, muscles and airways; they also have marvelous cardiovascular effects. It has been demonstrated that blood vessels contract and expand as needed, and this flexibility significantly reduces the pressure that blood exerts while moving between its walls.
Calm and wellness
It is very important to allow ourselves to release stress on a regular basis. Stress and anxiety are perhaps the biggest obstacles in our pursuit of wellness and happiness because it creates tension between our body and mind. Steam rooms are great environments to decompress and give ourselves a well-deserved break while sweating out all the nasty toxins from our body, which in turn improve our overall health and emotional wellbeing.
Better night's sleep
A good night’s sleep is a sign of a calm mind. By sweating and melting most of our stress in a steam room, we allow our mind to relax and focus on regenerating while we sleep in order to tackle the upcoming day with energy. The less stressed you are, the more well rested you feel, and vice versa.
Issues to consider
Anyone with a medical condition should always ask a doctor before receiving any kind of therapy. This includes cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, epilepsy and asthma. Pregnant women should not use steam rooms because temperature body changes in the mother would prevent an even distribution of blood flow to the baby.
Sanitation of steam rooms is of utmost importance because humid environments could create a perfect host situation for mold and bacteria. It is very important to train the cleaning staff on how often and which products should be used to keep the steam room up to the maximum sanitation care possible.
When visiting a steam room for the first time, it is recommended to start with a 5-10 minute stay and then slowly increase time up to 30 minutes. The first rule for steam room use is to shower first. Makeup, jewelry and bathing suits should be avoided or kept to a minimum as they can interfere with steaming efficiency. While in the steam room, make sure to always have a towel to sit on. Relaxation, breathing and meditation are highly encouraged during this time.
AIRE Experience
AIRE Ancient Baths are restored historical buildings in the center of big cities that have been repurposed as a magical water world where time does not exist. AIRE spaces have specialized in water therapy and are dedicated to offering their guests the ultimate relaxation experience in the ancient tradition of the Greek, Roman and Ottoman civilizations. Candles and lanterns against exposed brick walls set the backdrop, while various pools with different temperatures set the tone and mood. No matter which AIRE Experience you choose, it is guaranteed to be an unforgettable one!
