Sauna baths, once popular only in northern European countries, are now accepted in many other areas of the world. In northern Europe it is common for people to take a sauna and then roll in freshly fallen snow in winter. This exercise is said to build up the body’s resistance. Walking barefoot in the snow as well as snow-and water-stamping are all favourite activities. All of these activities cause the blood to be drawn from the brain, so if practised before going to bed, they make restful sleep possible. Information on variations of these methods as practised in different countries can also be useful and enlarges the list of water treatments already known to us.
Years ago I was greatly surprised to find a sauna when I visited a colony of Finnish people in Brazil, of all places. Ask yourself, what purpose is there in having a sauna in a place where the temperature reaches 40 °C (104 °F) in the shade on hot days? The answer to this is that old habits die hard and become a necessity, which was certainly true for those Finnish people who built their sauna in a hot and humid foreign land. Perhaps it even helped them to overcome their homesickness for the old country. Moreover, in the tropics the evenings are cool and I remember that the sauna gave us a pleasant feeling of well-being. After the sauna we found a nearby jungle creek for a cool dip, which stimulated the circulation and helped to make for a restful night. Perspiring in a sauna differs from perspiring in the heat of the day in that it relaxes the mind and body and enables one to sleep soundly.
In summary, it is always useful to work out which one of the different natural treatments will be the most appropriate for overcoming your insomnia. Often all it needs is a little determination to do something about the problem and you will find what is required to give you a a full night’s wholesome and restful sleep.
*357/28/1*
No comments yet.