Overview:
Properly pronounced as “SOW-nuh”… Finnish sauna bathing is a custom that dates back at least 1000 years. It is meant to be a relaxing process of transitions between hot and cool. This series of warm up, cool down, warm up, cool down, etc. can go on for a while. After sitting in the sauna for a suitable amount of time, go sit outside for a little bit and bring your core temperature back down. Some of the more die-hard sauna enthusiasts will jump in the snow or pour ice water over them. I promise it’s wonderful and exhilarating! No matter how you sauna, just be sure to replenish fluids. Health Benefits:
In Finland, they say that humans are at their most glowing and beautiful 30 minutes after taking a sauna. While this may be true, saunas do have many incredible health benefits: relieves stress, burns a surprising number of calories, flushes toxins, soothes and relaxes muscles and joints, cleanses and improves the skin, improves pulmonary performance, invokes a deeper sleep, boosts immunity, fights illness and depression, activates the sebaceous gland to make your hair look great naturally, and is overall a great way to spend a rejuvenating evening with loved ones. |
How to Sauna:
A sauna is divine, particularly when done in the traditional Finnish way…
A sauna is divine, particularly when done in the traditional Finnish way…
- Turn the sauna on to your desired temperature while preparing for the sauna bath. You can start with 150°F or try for the more traditional 200°F. Lay towels onto the benches and fill the bucket (for steam) with water.
- Remove jewelry, glasses, or contacts.
- Take a shower BEFORE entering the sauna. It is imperative to remove bacteria and any excess chemicals or body products, which could damage the sauna or impede the health benefits.
- Dry off. Use the robe and slippers provided. Naked is best, but a swim suit also works. And don’t worry, you won’t be cold for long.
- Start with 5 minutes or so of a DRY sauna (don’t add water to the rocks).
- Relax, meditate, enjoy silence.
- You will be able to stay in for longer as you go, so simply exit to cool off and re-enter for as many times as you desire.
- Once you have done a dry sauna begin adding water to the rocks above the heater, using the ladle and bucket provided. For the final cool down, take a cool shower to close the pores in your skin and don’t get dressed until your body has stopped sweating. And make sure to DRINK WATER!
Rules and Tips:
- Children are not allowed in the sauna at any time, whether in use or not in use.
- Use the sauna at your own risk. If you feel faint or dizzy, take a cold shower immediately. Remember, you are at 9,000 feet which dramatically changes how your body reacts to dehydration, heat, air, etc.
- DO NOT USE the sauna if you experience the following: a clear case of illness, serious heart disease, serious lung diseases, infections, high blood pressure, kidney disease, epilepsy, thyroid hyperfunction.
- DO NOT sauna on an empty stomach.
- DO NOT consume alcohol before or during the sauna.
- NO GLASS IN THE SAUNA.
- Drink water before, during, and after.
- Don’t push it! It takes time to develop tolerance. Stay in for as long as you are comfortable and take plenty of cooling down breaks in between.
- The heat will most likely damage your phone, so it’ not a good idea to bring it in the sauna.
- If you’re worried about your color-treated hair, a wet towel wrap will provide protection.
- If you’re unsure of anything, just ask.