Hi, my name is Valerie…..

and I’m a saunaholic. I’m still on holiday on the OBX and have been coming here since 2004 and not once did the sauna interest me. So yesterday, I decided to give it a try, mainly because from my waist down, I was in pain and I figured it could not hurt, much more.

I’ve never been in a real sauna before, not counting being at home in the summer with no central air. This heat is different. I love the heat, sitting in the sun, I love hot and spicy food and I love hot stuff! It would make sense that I would like the sauna.

Anywho, I’m dressed in shorts and a tee shirt (lol), walked out to the wooden box with something to read of course. I had to read the directions on the wall to get it started, not a problem. I have a seat on the bench and I wait. Wait for what I don’t know, but I wait. I open my magazine and I start to read. I notice that opposite of me is a wooden bucket with some water and a wooden spoon. I don’t know what it is for, but I’m thinking soup. I ate, no thank you. I bury my face in my magazine and continue reading. Meanwhile, the heat is starting to, well heat up. Awh this is great! I raise my arms over my head to grab some heat from above and my arms return with chill bumps. The temperature reads 100 degrees. Every once in a while I would touch the ceiling with my hands to feel the heat up top and wish my legs were so blessed with the feeling.

I wasn’t thinking about people putting their naked butts on these benches, the heat is cozy and I want to lie down, so my magazine becomes my pillow. I’m in position to heat my legs so I rest them above my head at a 45 degree angle. Within minutes my toes are on fire and that bucket of water suddenly looks like relief. No, I did not do it, my feet would not have fit anyway. Finally at 140 degrees, I can feel prespiration escaping from my body, all of the impurities and toxins to find another host. Ahhhh. I could go to sleep, but I don’t want to wake up dead, so I don’t allow myself to drift in comfort.

I only set the sauna for one-half hour and my time is up and my hair has been straightened, thank you. I thought about going to the gym room and then telling people, yeah I just came from the gym, lol. I looked like I really had a hard work out, instead I head to my room for a shower. I’m rejuvenated and my legs are full of vigor and energy.

So this will probably just be another habit of mine to support when I get back home. This morning I rolled out of bed and into the sauna, but for some reason it was not as hot as the day before. Tomorrow I’m going back and I’m cranking it up!

You know I was sitting in that wooden box wondering how I can duplicate this at home, for cheap of course. I thought of sitting next to the oven, but it probably won’t be the same. I do have sciatic nerve issues, I wonder if my HMO will cover the cost of a sauna for me as home treatments. 1-800…..

Sauna facts or rules and benefits

1. You first take all your clothes off (I would have imagined that this is how to clear out a sauna, and personally I require knowing your first middle and last name and a recent copy of your credit report, but okay).

2. Shower before you go in (Shower before you go anywhere).

3. Use a towel to sit on the sauna bench (I’d prefer you use it to cover up, but okay).

4. While in the sauna, it is also traditional to “whip” yourself, (or your guest) with a bundle of birch branches called “vasta” or “vihta” in Finnish. (If you could only see my face right now).

Benefits:

1. Using a far infrared sauna can help strengthen the body’s immune system

2. Far infrared rays improve blood circulation, stimulate endorphins, lower lactic acid, kill certain bacteria and parasites, and burn calories.

3. A good example of far infrared heat is the light produced by the sun. When people do not receive adequate amounts of far infrared heat, they often can become ill or depressed. THIS IS TRUE. I’M SAD WHEN THE SUN IS NOT OUT.

4. Studies indicate that benefits of far infrared sauna use include: muscle relaxation; stress, tension and headache relief; reduction and removal of body toxins; increased cardiovascular strength; increased blood circulation; strengthened immune system; improved lung function, and refreshed, moisturized skin.

I can’t list everything so here’s a link http://www.greatsaunas.com/info/40-facts-for-far-infrared-saunas.cfm

If you get a sauna before me, can I come over. I’ll bring the bucket of water??? Oh and forgive the typos, erros and whatever else is wrong. My editor quit….talking about she wants to be paid for her work. Whine. Whine. Whine. I haven’t been paid yet either….we’re starving artists for a reason.