In my never-ending quest to find a cure for my ever present, seems to be with me forever, and sucking the fun out of my days, sinus infection, I heeded a friend’s (and the internet’s) advice have been spending some time in the steam room and at home holding my head under at towel with my face over a bowl of steaming hot water.
Maybe the thought of sitting in a steam room brings visions of horror movies where some villain locks a poor damsel in the steam room until she passes out, of if the thought of holding your head under a towel trying to clear your sinuses doesn’t seem necessary, you may not be as desperate as I or you haven’t discovered how relaxing a good steam can be. However, steam benefits as associated with a steam room or steam shower have been known for thousands of years, where wet heat opens the pores of your skin to aid body detoxification.
Maybe the thought of sitting in a steam room brings visions of horror movies where some villain locks a poor damsel in the steam room until she passes out, of if the thought of holding your head under a towel trying to clear your sinuses doesn’t seem necessary, you may not be as desperate as I or you haven’t discovered how relaxing a good steam can be. However, steam benefits as associated with a steam room or steam shower have been known for thousands of years, where wet heat opens the pores of your skin to aid body detoxification.
It is also believed that the heat and humidity may bring health benefits ranging from aiding stress relief, to body cleansing, to soothing aching muscles or arthritis. Different research shows a long list of benefits from steam:
- rejuvinating and hydrating the skin
- boosting the immune system and promoting antibody production,
- relieving the discomfort of asthma, allergies and arthritis,
- enhancing the respiratory system,
- helping eliminate toxins,
- reducing stress and the appearance of wrinkles,
- relaxing and soothing mind & body,
- relieving stress & relaxing muscles,
- relieving throat irritation by moistening the air,
- relaxing muscles and relieving coughing,
- increasing body metabolism,
- relieving inflammation and congestion of upper respiratory mucous membranes,
- loosening secretions and stimulating the discharge of mucous from the throat and lungs (natural expectorant),
- keeping mucous membranes from excessive drying
Even without all these health benefits, it just plain feels good. If I had a steam shower in my house I am sure we would all be standing in line!
Do you prefer a steam or sauna? Do those co-ed steam rooms creep you out?
Why do they always use steam rooms in those awful scary movies? Do you have a steam/room/shower in your home?
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