Enveloped in the encompassing warmth and quiet of a pine-smelling sauna you can literally feel the tension melting away from your muscles as your body's pores release all your internal toxins through the condensation of your sweat on your skin.
Our De Bergkant Lodge sauna is located close to one of our most private swimming pool gardens for those wanting to rest, detox and bask in the warmth of the sun between cool dips in our clear waters.
Where the sauna all began
The idea of a sauna and its first use dates back 10 000 years, until just after the Ice Age in the region of Finland. Built in the ground and covered with skins, fire stones were brought in to create steam from hot water poured over the heated rocks.
Since then, the health benefits of a sauna are recognised by millions around the globe today for its detoxification, increased metabolism and blood circulation, skin rejuvenation, improved sleep and of course, relaxation which is what we do best at De Bergkant Lodge.
Why is sauna so popular?
You don't have to live in a city to feel stressed out since stress is experienced by an increasingly speeded up world. With a constant need to get there, get it done and then do more and be more through the day, the daily stressors we put on ourselves can negatively affect us, especially when we are not in the habit of consciously take some down time out on a regular basis.
Stress has the ability to build up and leads to the majority of diseases we can see being experienced around us, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
Exercise and activity can put further stress on our bodies which have given way to poor posture, lower back pain and stiff neck and shoulders. The gentle and soothing sauna therefore remains one of the best ways to destress and detox your mind and body. This is because a sauna is known to improve your cardiovascular performance which we can also feel the effects of in our brains.
When you step into the sauna at De Bergkant Lodge, you are meeting the first stage of helping to reduce your risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) for your body and your brain.
With improved blood flow provided by the heat of the sauna, you also reduce and improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The sweat coming out of your body in a sauna cleanses your pores and glands and flushes out toxins and impurities. The result is healthier skin and less propensity for blackheads and pimples. Your skin is left feeling soft and plump and fresh.
SAUNA #TIPS
It is our experience that you should always drink cool water during a sauna to keep replenishing your body fluids and allow the body to keep flushing toxins out through your skin.
We don’t want you to dehydrate with fluid loss while sweating in our sauna. This is especially important if you suffer from related health conditions and those with kidney disease are at higher risk. For some, the high temperatures of a sauna can lead to dizziness and nausea and we suggest you take shorter sauna's to start off with.
You may want to take a shower before you step into the sauna; this is not just rule of hygiene but a habit which also helps prepare your skin by opening the pores and relaxing your muscles. Make sure you dry your skin well before getting into the sauna so it is easier to sweat.
We suggest wearing a swim suit or stripping down naked (you can sit on your towel) in order to allow your skin to breath.
If you are not familiar with taking a sauna, start off with 20 minute sauna sessions and over the course of a few days, you can work your way up to an average of 30 - 45 minutes.
You will be left feeling especially exhilarated if you take a cold shower immediately on coming out of the sauna to wake up your skin after its detox and to get your blood pumping faster after all the heat.
For sport enthusiasts, a sauna is especially relaxing after a workout such as cycling, mountain climbing, hiking and running.
At De Bergkant Lodge we want you to really relax and let go of all the tension in your body, so we have provided guests with our own in-house masseuse on hand to give you a healing massage (a 1 hour massage is charged @ ZAR 550.00) which can be followed up by a soothing sauna (our sauna is free of charge for booked-in guests) and gentle relaxation around the pool or in your deluxe room or suite.
Please book your De Bergkant Lodge sauna sessions and massage therapist @ Reception on arrival of your booked stay. Accommodation bookings can be made on our webpage www.debergkant.com.
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