Constantly pushing our mental and physical limits leaves us feeling exhausted and highly stressed, which results in increased susceptibility to illnesses such as hypertension or chronic exhaustion.

Regular participation in sports, eating healthy foods and making use of several wellness applications are important tools to combat these demands. Regular visits to the sauna have also proven to have extremely positive effects on the immune system and stress levels.

Ton Verachtert, spa owner and former CEO of a company that produces heavy equipment for the construction industry says: “As my company began to grow, I was faced with the pressures of increased production coupled with complex labour requirements.”

“To combat the increasingly negative effects the stress was having on my life, my doctor advised me to have regular sauna sessions. Now you will find me in a sauna facility every Saturday afternoon — which is quite common in North West Europe.”

Verachtert goes on to say that once he started regular sauna sessions, he noticed a marked improvement in his stress levels and a significant reduction in fatigue.

“It felt as if the increased blood circulation gave me the opportunity to increase my capacity to think,” he says. “I believe that regular sauna sessions are essential to my success.”

Sauna benefits

The sauna has been used for thousands of years to alleviate both physical and mental stress and has been attributed with healing, preventative and cleansing properties. Many doctors agree that taking a sauna regularly is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body.

When the body feels soothed and energised, the mind and the body often follow suit. In addition to combating stress, sauna offers a host of other health benefits. For example, it is a preventative measure when it comes to combating winter ills such as cold and flu.

When you take a sauna you inhale air temperatures that are too hot for cold and flu viruses to survive. The hot temperatures also stimulate a fever, which raises the body's temperature above normal in an attempt to destroy invading organisms and sweat impurities out of the system. A ‘good sweat’ at the onset of colds and flu helps to relieve and ward off the most severe symptoms.

In addition, the contrast between hot and cold strengthens the body’s defences and improves circulation.

The extreme temperatures in a sauna also increase your metabolism and pulse rate by 50 to 75%, which provides the same metabolic result as a brisk walk. The heat causes your blood vessels to become more flexible, expanding to accommodate increased blood flow.

Saunas play an important role in helping the body detoxify. The heat pumps up the blood circulation near the skin, causing the body to sweat. Prolonged saunas open the pores and flushes impurities from the body.

“Sauna bathing penetrates deeper into the skin than pure cosmetic treatments ever could – resulting in healthy skin and a clear, glowing complexion,” says Paulette Tindle, Kievits Kroon spa manager. “Spas often utilise saunas and steam baths in conjunction with massage to loosen fatty tissue and combat cellulite.”

How to sauna

“There are no definite rules on how to sauna, but the ritual is meant to be relaxing,” says Tindle.

Before entering the sauna, have a shower or wash yourself to prepare and moisten the skin. Also take a small towel or something to sit on in the sauna for increased comfort.

A single sauna session should be no longer than 8 – 12 minutes with a maximum of 15 minutes in a sauna-cabin with a temp between 85 and 95 degrees Celsius. To get the full benefit you should relax by sitting or lying down. Ladling small doses of water onto the stove stones can regulate air humidity in the sauna.

When you feel hot enough, exit the sauna and cool off by taking a quick cold shower eventually followed by a swim. Alternatively, you can simply relax outside the sauna. Have a drink if you feel thirsty, but avoid alcohol in the sauna. Once you are thoroughly cooled down, the process should be repeated with a second and if you like even third bath.

Before putting on clean clothes allow enough time for cooling off, or else the sweating will continue. Also be careful not to get cold since the body is in a more sensitive state after the sauna.

Groups of people who may have health risks in the sauna and who therefore should pay special attention to the way they bathe are patients with various diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma or skin disease.

Kievits Kroon Country Estate and Spa is situated 40 minutes from Johannesburg and 10 minutes from Pretoria.