Sweat Out The Stress Of Parenting With A Home Sauna

Data from the American Psychological Association shows that 33 percent of American parents report high levels of stress, compared with 20 percent of adults who do not have children. That equates to around 21 million people suffering parenting stress every day, and the US Surgeon General described it as a “critical health priority.” Taking a sauna has proven benefits when it comes to combating stress, and when you can do so at home, it becomes something that even the busiest parents can fit into their schedule.

Prebuilt Kits Make The Sauna Experience Affordable

If you thought home saunas were only for celebrities and millionaires, think again. Easy to install, prebuilt sauna kits have brought saunas within the budgets of millions of regular families across the USA. Prices for prebuilt kits start at less than $5,000 so even when you factor in the cost of the electrical installation, you can soon be sweating away the stress for about the price of a 10-year old used car.

As the name suggests, prebuilt sauna kits are delivered to your home semi-assembled. Putting one together is a fairly straightforward process for anyone who has a standard tool kit and some basic DIY know-how. Keep in mind that the sauna will need a flat and secure base, ideally using a poured concrete slab, especially for a larger sauna.

Stress-Relieving Benefits Of A Sauna For Parents

A home sauna has proven benefits for parents in terms of both stress-busting and general wellness. A study led by Dr Daniela Jezová of Comenius University in Bratislava showed that regular sauna use lowers levels of cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. It also promotes the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.

There are physiological benefits too. The soothing heat of the sauna helps to reduce the muscle tension that can result from carrying small children, lifting strollers and carrying out other routine parenting tasks. Meanwhile, the calming effects of the sauna promote better sleep, which also contributes to reduced stress as well as more energy and enhanced mental clarity.

Choosing The Right Home Sauna For Your Needs

Even when choosing a prebuilt sauna in kit form, there are plenty of choices to make in terms of the design, size and type of sauna heater.

Let’s take a look at each of these aspects in turn.

1)    Choose your sauna style

Prebuilt saunas are typically made of wood – usually aspen, spruce or cedar. However, they come in different styles. These include cabin saunas, which are a traditional rectangular design, barrel saunas, which have a curved roof and round ends or pod saunas, which are more compact but with a higher roof. Choosing the style is really down to personal taste and evaluating which will fit better in your back yard or garden.

2)    Selecting the right size sauna

This is an easier decision to make, as it simply depends on how many people are likely to use the sauna at the same time. For many, a one- or two-person sauna is sufficient, but you might want a sauna that is suitable for enjoying in the company of family or friends. Of course, the size also depends on the space you have available and the amount you are prepared to spend.

Broadly speaking, single person saunas have a price tag in the $4,000 to $7,000 range, while an eight-person sauna might cost between $10,000 and $20,000 depending on its specification and features.

3)    Electric, infrared or log heaters

Finally, you will need to choose what sort of sauna heater to use. Electric heaters are by far the most popular, as they are easy to control, have low maintenance needs and make no emissions. Infra red is an interesting alternative and is highly energy-efficient, but some find the experience is not as relaxing as a traditional sauna. Of course, a log burner is the most traditional of all, but you do not get the same level of precision control. Also, EPA rules mean there are strict controls over when and how these can be used, especially in urban areas.