Most of us would say that we experience some level of stress, and usually on a daily basis. While we try to deal with it, this does have an impact on our bodies. While stress may seem mental, the physical side effects are often present, and this is where the benefits of the sauna can play a major role in stress relief.

As an athlete, whether you are professional or amateur, you may want to consider fitting a sauna into your exercise program. There are many benefits that come with one of these units, and if you aren't familiar with them, they’re worth taking a closer look at.

Taking a look back at the history of the sauna, it certainly gives us a clear picture of just how far these wonderful units have come.

History shows us that the first wooden sauna was built by the Finns over 2000 years ago. These were not free standing units, and actually were built into the side of a hill or a large embankment. Eventually, they were built using wooden logs and stood above the ground. To produce the heat, stones that were heated in the stone fireplace with wood used as the burning source were used.