The Sauna is a treatment carried out in a very hot environment (from 55° to 85°) with very low humidity levels (5 – 15%).

The benefits of the Sauna are based on generating in our body two natural reactions, produced by the strong heat: the perspiration and the vasodilatation.
In fact, the heavy perspiration (in a 10 minute-session you can lose until a litre of sweat) facilitates the expulsion of bacteria, by strengthening the immune system, and the expulsion of toxins (uric acid, lactic acid, unnecessary fat, amino acids). In addition, it deeply purifies the body and carries out a regenerating action on the tissues, making the skin more resistant to weathering: heat, cold, wind or smog.
The vasodilatation, together with perspiration, leads to the lowering of blood pressure and the increase of the heart rate.
Based on the time spent in the sauna (around 10 minutes) and followed immediately by a brief cold shower (the so-called "thermal rebalancing"), these two reactions result in an efficient activity for the blood vessels (dilatation through heat, reduction through cold), promoting blood circulation, limiting the accumulation of fat in the vessels and leading to a healthier heart.

The entire body will benefit from these results that contribute to making you more energetic and healthier, as well as more resistant to infections, such as sinusitis, colds and flues.

In the Sauna cabin, you can sit or lie on the natural raw-wooden benches, after covering them with a towel or with a bathrobe.
The benches are located at different heights from the ground, allowing the guests to adapt to the different temperatures: lying down on the lowest bench, you will feel a temperature of 55°; on the medium bench, the temperature will reach 70°; whereas on the highest one, the temperature can reach 85°.

Recommendation when having a Sauna:

• Make sure you allow yourself ample time to calmly enjoy a Sauna session. This will positively influence your relaxation reducing anxiety moments, generating a pleasant feeling of energy and improving your night sleep;
• Before entering the Sauna, we suggest you take a hot shower or a dip in the relaxation pool; in this way, your skin will be cleansed and the pores will be opened to easily eliminate the toxins. Furthermore, thanks to the hot water, you will stabilise blood circulation, relax and bring your body to the same temperature from head to toes;
• Enter the Sauna when completely dry and barefoot (leave your flip flops outside), put the pool towel or the bathrobe on the bench and then sit/lie down (the skin should not touch the wood);
• Complete the 2 Sauna steps: the first step shouldn't last more than 10 minutes.

We recommend that the first time you try a sauna, you start by staying less than 10 minutes and sitting on one of the lower benches, then gradually moving to a higher one.

After the first step, leave the Sauna and take a brief cold shower; then relax for up to 15 minutes on the beds of the Relaxation Area. You should cover yourself entirely to not disperse the body heat, whilst drinking a herbal tea to recover the liquids and the minerals lost during the perspiration. Finally, go back to the Sauna for the second step that should last again around 10 minutes and then redo the itinerary all over: cold shower (or water/ice bucket), relax and drink a herbal tea.

At Sorrento SPA Ulysse, we offer the latest generation Finnish Sauna that represents a unique solution for a person's physical and mental well-being.
Our Sauna is made of a cabin, entirely upholstered in high-quality slatted Hemlock wood, that can accommodate 6/10 people.
It is equipped with a 12.000 Watts heater that keeps the maximum temperature constantly at 85°; it is covered in Peridotite stones that absorb and diffuse the heat evenly. On these stones, we pour an eucalyptus and water solution to trigger a shot of aromatic steam, that is very healthy and stimulating.

Historical background
There are traces of the Sauna cult already during the Aztec period, but it was the Greeks and the Romans that made it easily available for aristocrats, athletes and gladiators.
However, the modern Saunas were perfected in Russia and in Finland, the two countries where people first started to use wooden cabins heated by wood-burning stoves.

FAQ ABOUT SAUNAS

• Does a Sauna help you lose weight?

During a Sauna cycle, you will lose over a litre of sweat and your skin will be deeply cleansed by removing impurities and toxins. However, the loss of liquids is immediately integrated by drinking herbal teas after each session. For this reason, the Sauna won't let you effectively lose weight but will help improve the metabolism and the liquid replacement.

• Does a Sauna enhance beauty?

A Sauna deeply detoxifies the body and purifies the skin making it more luminous and clear and supports the liquid replacement making the tissue more elastic. Furthermore, by improving the blood and the lymph circulation, stimulating the skin, the tissue and the gland's activity, supporting relaxation and helping night sleep, you will definitely gain a healthier and more energetic appearance.

• Is a Sauna effective for sport and training?

Other than being beneficial for the lungs, the heart and blood circulation, a Sauna is highly indicated after training sessions and sports performances because it improves the expulsion of lactic acid when perspiring. In fact, we know that Roman gladiators and athletes frequently had Spa sessions before or after a physical activity.