The smart way to enjoy sauna: how long and how often?

 

The golden rule? Listen to your body! 
 
There is no hard and fast rule to how long you should stay in a sauna. The ‘right’ duration varies from person to person and depends on your experience, your physical fitness and how you feel in the moment. But one thing is sure: if you feel dizzy or unwell, you must leave the sauna immediately. Forcing yourself is NEVER a good thing. 

Start with short sessions and slowly build up 

For most beginners, six to eight minutes per session is perfect. This gives your body the chance to acclimate to the intense heat. Experienced sauna bathers can usually stay in the sauna for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the type of sauna. In hotter saunas, it’s best to keep your sessions a bit shorter. Also, it’s less hot on the lower benches than on the top ones, a handy little tip for those of you who want to start slowly. 

The optimal sauna round 

A well-structured sauna experience generally consists of three parts: 

1. Warming up in the sauna (maximum 15 minutes) 
2. Cool down with a cold shower or dip in the plunge pool 
3. Regular breaks of at least 15 minutes 

This variation allows your body to benefit as well as recuperate optimally from the heat. Drink enough water (obviously, not in the sauna itself) and take regular breaks. Do also make use of the baths, pools and relaxation areas in our complex: from Jacuzzis to a salt room with halotherapy or a calming Tibetan singing bowls session in the relaxation area in the garden (next to the swimming lake). 

Can you stay in the sauna too long? 

You may be tempted to stay in the sauna just that little bit longer but longer isn’t necessarily better for you. You will already experience the health benefits of the sauna after a few minutes. Staying too long in the sauna may cause dehydration, headaches, a drop in blood pressure and even nausea. Not cooling down properly can have negative effects too. 

Extra tips for a safe sauna visit 

• Drink plenty of water before and after your sauna sessions. 
• Always bring a towel to sit on: for your own comfort and for hygiene reasons. 
• Follow the natural flow of our sauna complex layout: this gives you a gentle start and relaxed end to your sauna visit. 
• Avoid sauna bathing on an empty stomach, as well as right after a big meal. 
• Take regular, long enough breaks in between sessions. 
• Try an Aufguss session! At Thermae Grimbergen, our sauna masters guide you through an intense, but safe experience with bursts of hot air infused with fragrant essential oils wafted over you. 
• Do go for a stroll in our stunning grounds and cool down in the natural swimming lake, a unique experience! 

To wrap up: less is often more 

A short, but well-structured sauna moment is a lot more beneficial that one long session in which you exceed your limits. By listening to your body, alternating between heat, cold and rest and by drinking enough water, you will get the most out of your sauna visit. 

Come and relax at Thermae Grimbergen, where relaxation and health go hand in hand!