Taking a hot sauna bath in the privacy of your own home is a great way to alleviate the countless pressures and stresses of modern life. A few minutes in the soothing heat of a sauna can relax one’s body and mind while re-energizing them at the same time. For anyone wishing to intensify their sauna experience or ensure their continued sauna enjoyment, here are some suggested tips to consider:

Sauna Tip #1: Find a time that’s right for you – a short sauna bath is often better than no sauna bath at all, but why hurry or sacrifice if you don’t have to?

Sauna Tip #2: Watch what (and when) you eat and drink. Try not to eat too much right before your sauna bath.

Sauna Tip #3: Wear as little as possible. A towel to sit on is a good idea, but clothing will simply decrease the effectiveness of your sauna bath and, believe it or not, cramp your own comfort.

Sauna Tip #4: Don’t forget the sauna accessories. Headrests, backrests and footrests provide comfort and support where they’re most appreciated. Aromatherapy oils like eucalyptus, wintergreen and menthol add pleasing fragrance to the air. And the cleansing properties of soap, brushes and sponges offer sauna bathers obvious hygienic benefits.

Sauna Tip #5: Throw in a towel (or two or three). You’ll probably appreciate having one towel to sit on lay on, one to help wipe off and absorb perspiration as it accumulates on your body, and, if you plan to sit at any time during your sauna bath, one placed under your feet to catch any perspiration that might otherwise fall to the sauna floor.

Sauna Tip #6: Recognize the power of your shower. A warm shower before you head into your sauna will help wash oil and dirt off your body. You can also hop into your shower throughout your sauna session to help you cool down when necessary. Be sure, though, to take a shower after you finish your sauna session, as doing so will help wash off your perspiration as well as any toxins that have risen to the surface of your skin.

Sauna Tip #7: Care about skin care. Your skin can benefit greatly from sauna bathing if you know what you’re doing

Sauna Tip #8: Let your body adjust to the change in environment. After you’ve completed your sauna bath, don’t get dressed too quickly.

Sauna Tip #9: Identify any risks posed to you and your family. If you and your spouse are trying to conceive or already expecting a baby, you may want to temporarily cut back on your sauna bathing.

Sauna Tip #10: Sauna bathing doesn’t have to be a solo sport. When you’re seeking solitude, nothing beats a home sauna room. However, these some manufacturers also build and sell saunas designed for couples and groups.

For more information, visit greatsaunas.com

Some of the most beneficial home luxury items these days are hot tubs and swim spas. However, high ticket prices make them unaffordable to many would-be buyers, including those that could really use one for health reasons. A former Connecticut contractor is changing all that by showing would-be buyers how they can build their own hot tubs and swim spas instead of buying one, thus saving themselves a bundle of money over a purchased unit.

One of the nation’s leading authorities on spa, hot tub and swim spa building, Gene Trumbull has written and published a series of Do It Yourself, spa, hot tub and swim spa project manuals, showing tub enthusiasts the insider secrets to huge savings on these luxury items.

For more information, visit custombuiltspas.com

There are a variety of factors—physical, mental, biological—that can interfere with a good night’s sleep. Stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, for example, can stay in one’s system for as long as 6 to 8 hours, so that afternoon jolt of coffee may be keeping you up at night. Eating a large meal later in the evening or before bedtime can also interfere with sleep.

Having a wind-down ritual of 20-30 minutes that is relaxing for you (a cup of chamomile tea, meditation/breathing, warm bath, or reading, for example) can help relax and smooth the road to a good night’s sleep. Again, the key is to always go to bed at the same time. It is normal to take 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep, sometimes a bit longer. Some other great tips we like for
getting a great night’s sleep include the following:

• Make your bed a sanctuary. Make it comfy. Make it welcoming. It’s not the place to discuss or ruminate over the stresses of the day.

• Make your sleep environment dark, quiet and at a comfortable temperature (being in a cooler temperature versus warmer often helps most).

• If external noise is a problem (or you are a lighter sleeper), consider a sound machine with various sounds to filter/mask other noise (many include nature sounds like waves or rain, as well as “white noise”).

• Take a hot shower or bath (sauna, steam, whirlpool). Many people report falling asleep easier and deeper after a hot bath.

• Exercise, especially higher intensity exercise, is linked to improved sleep. However, do not exercise within 3 or 4 hours of bedtime, as this will delay the extra release of melatonin that helps you fall asleep.

• Don’t have any alcohol before bed—alcohol does not help you sleep more deeply. It actually keeps you in lighter stages of sleep (or awake and going to the bathroom).

For more information, visit healthandwellness.com

Earlier this month, doctor of Chinese medicine and anti-aging expert Dr. Maoshing Ni (aka Dr. Mao) published his groundbreaking, 600-page book on natural healing that will revolutionize the way Americans approach health and wellness. Filled with advice and knowledge acquired through years of treating patients at his Tao of Wellness clinic in Santa Monica, Secrets of Self Healing offers readers the chance to gain insight from the doctor who has kept Hollywood young, beautiful and healthy.

In Secrets of Self-Healing Dr. Mao asserts that we are far too dependent on a dysfunctional medical system that fails to tap into the power of patients’ own self healing abilities. In contrast, he offers an approach to health that is guided by 5,000 years of Eastern tradition and grounded in Taoist philosophy. While he integrates modern medical science and technology in his practice, he claims that a prevention-based lifestyle and a working knowledge of self-healing are the keys to long-lasting health.

The first part of Secrets of Self-Healing explores how the integration of both Eastern and Western medicine can be used in everyday life to create balance between the mind and body for optimum wellness.

The second part reveals detailed remedies based on healing foods and herbs, nutritional supplements, exercise, and acupressure for sixty-five common conditions. From treating acne to yeast infections, his philosophy is simple: we all have a built-in healing ability, so why not try to activate it with natural means before we resort to chemicals and invasive procedures?

For common cold relief, try this before using over-the-counter cold medications. Boil one chopped garlic clove, three slices of ginger, one chopped scallion, some basil, and a pinch of cinnamon in 24 ounces of water for five minutes. Drink this hot tea and get in bed. Cover up and prepare to sweat. Sweating opens the pores, releasing trapped pathogens from the skin. Drink at least 3 cups of tea daily until symptoms subside. If fever or other cold symptoms persist beyond 36 hours, take the cold medication and contact your physician.

For more information, visit askdmao.com