City Geisha

Recently I have been on a revived health kick as I had three weeks off from the gym when I went travelling back in October and as a result, lost 2 kgs of valuable muscle.  I lose weight quite easily so the scrawny look I had acquired did not please me when I looked at myself in the mirror. The skinny look may appeal to some girls  (and guys, for that matter) but personally I like that strong, toned look…each to their own, I say!  However I have since gotten back on track and I have returned to my normal weight, complete with the muscles I had initially lost so I am looking and feeling good!

Whilst I was out there, I went on a pampering rampage and visited quite a few spas (so cheap out there when you’re paying with the British Pound!) and re-introduced myself to the sauna, which I like to call myself, the Sweat Lodge.   In the past I would have shirked away from sauna use as I find it quite suffocating and stiffling hot (surprise, surprise!), hopping out after only 2 mins of manageable heat.  But for some strange enlightening reason, I felt reborn as I sat there in nothing by a towel and inhaled the dry heat, sweat dripping off me from every pore.  Since then I have made it my goal to frequent saunas as often as I could and fortunately, my gym has got one in the ladies’ changing rooms.

Invented by the Finnish thousands of years ago, the sauna works on the principle of generating abundant sweat to detoxify the body and relax the mind.  Our modern lifestyle makes people’s skin inactive. Many of us don’t sweat, especially now that we have entered the winter months and it is so easy to just go home after work and eat hot, heart comforting meals instead of sweating it out at the gym.  In addition, modern synthetic fibres and tight clothing (skinny jeans and jeggings spring to mind!) don’t allow the skin to breathe which can ultimately damage our skin and our natural ability for elimination.

Also, everyday bath products such as shampoos, shower gels, lotions, deodarants, etc. all leave residues on our skin.

This is where the beauty of the sauna comes in:  with regular use of the sauna, the body rids itselfs of toxins and chemicals.  It is also believed that exposure of the skin to heat stimulates the production of white blood cells and strengthens the immune system.

And of course, we can’t forget the fact that it is totally relaxing and leaves your body soothed and your mind serene.

Other benefits of the sauna include:

• Improved blood circulation- The sauna increases and improves the rate of blood circulation and breathing
  
• Weight loss- That’s right! Sauna is similar to mild exercise, it burns about 300 calories per average session. Regular sauna treatments combined with a healthy diet and moderate exercise will help you lose weight and stay fit and healthy.
• Skin cleansing: A profuse sauna-induced sweat followed by a shower cleanses your skin far more thoroughly than just taking a shower. It makes it soft and healthy with immediately noticeable effects. So if you want to mimic that post-sex glow, hit the sauna =D
• Body relaxation: The heat and humidity of the sauna diffuses the pain and relaxes tired muscles. A sauna in the evening will leave tense muscles and sore limbs totally relaxed.
• Mind relaxation: Regular sauna users all agree that it effectively helps relieve mental fatigue and stress.

So as you can see, it is a good habit to get into as it pays so many health dividends.   So get naked and get sweaty!

xoxo