Some poor souls have to drive to the gym to get their steam-shower fix. Others have to visit a day spa to enjoy a restorative steam session, and still others have to count down the days until their next hotel vacation. But if you’ve invested in an at-home steam shower system, a personal oasis is always available, 24/7.
A steam shower is the place to relax, get away from it all, and let the cares of the day get wafted away in puffs of fluffy steam. Using the steam shower is simple: Turn it on and step in. But let’s say you want to take your steam shower experience to an even higher level. To upgrade. To boost a mere patty into a Royale With Cheese, as it were. Here are five ways to get the most out of your steam shower.
Butlers are so 20th century. Today’s savvy steam shower enthusiasts rely on their smart phones or mobile devices to get their shower ritual going. They set their steam shower to their preferred temperature, start time, and duration. A SteamLinx system easily installs and connects to the steam shower’s generator and to the home’s router, meaning you can control your steam shower from literally anywhere.
Using Amazon Alexa for voice assist, you can even “talk” with your steam shower, asking questions such as “Alexa, what is the steam room temperature?”
For the ultimate rejuvenating experience, personalize the steam shower with accessories that pamper both body and mind.
Whether you’re seeking relaxation before bed or want to feel invigorated in the morning, botanical oils support your wellness journey, all day. The AromaSteam system electronically infuses specially formulated botanical oils into the steam, with fragrances such as lavender, eucalyptus, evergreen or mint. “Apart from providing a pleasant smell, aromatherapy oils can provide respiratory disinfection, decongestant, and psychological benefits,” reports Medical News Today.
A ChromaTherapy system allows the user to tweak the mood inside the steam shower, with LED lighting that ranges from soothing colors like blue, violet or green, to energizing colors such as red and yellow. (Or get Saturday night started with “Party Mode,” which cycles through the rainbow.) Whatever hue you choose, using colored light is a subtle and holistic way to adjust your emotional state.
MusicTherapy, on the other hand, engages the auditory senses. A high-quality, vapor-sealed sound system brings a rich, full sound right into the steam shower with you. Some steam shower insiders recommend using guided meditations or listening to relaxing nature sounds like ocean waves or a waterfall. Others prefer to pipe in the morning weather report, or a get-pumped, take-on-the-day song. It’s your choice, depending on your mood and goals. Read more on the Magic of Music for Wellness.
According to Allure, a steam shower is basically a giant facial. In fact, “Fifteen minutes in the steam room opens pores, increases sweating, stimulates circulation, and eliminates toxins,” New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco told the magazine.
Some steam shower insiders up the beauty ante even more by applying a deep conditioning mask to their hair before a steam session. Another option: Rhassoul Clay, which is rich in healthful minerals, hails from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and can be applied as a mask to both hair and skin. It removes excess oil and improves skin’s elasticity.
After a steam, rise the face with cool water and apply a serum or moisturizer to lock in the hydrating effects of the steam room.
After luxuriating in a steam shower, rehydrate with a glass of water, and step into the warm embrace of a plush towel. Invest in the same type of high-quality towels posh resorts use, which translates to a pure cotton towel weighing about 600 grams per square meter—that’s going to be the most dense, soft, absorbent fabric.
That toasty towel comes courtesy of a towel warmer, and not just any towel warmer, but one that features an essential-oil well that will infuse the towel and room with organic, Earth-friendly essential oils. Insider’s tip: Spring for the optional robe hook, so you can hang your robe to gently warm it and have it ready to slide into after a steam session.
Enhance relaxation further by sipping a cup of herbal tea. Good choices include chamomile, which may reduce inflammation; valerian and lavender, known to soothe insomnia; or lemon tea with honey, to aid digestion. Enjoy while reading that juicy new book you’ve been saving and prepare to experience a fantastic night’s slumber.
Now that you’ve invested in a residential steam shower, protect the most important component, the steam generator, with an AutoFlush self-cleaning system. True to its name, it flushes all the sediment and water out of the generator, automatically, two hours after every steam bath. This prevents mineral or calcium deposits and helps ensure a long life for the steam generator. Read more about how AutoFlush helps maintain a steam shower in “Giving Your Steam Shower a Longer Life in Two Simple Steps.”
Having an at-home steam shower is a simple luxury you can use every day. We hope you'll try some of these ideas to take the experience to an even more decadent and restorative level.