History of the sauna
Saunas are an important aspect of cultures in several Nordic and Baltic countries (Fromson, A. 2023). In Finland, a country of 5.5 million inhabitants, there can be found approximately three million saunas. About 90% of Finns use a sauna at least once a week and attribute the sauna to be an important ingredient to their happiness (Lewis, S. 2024).
The origin of the sauna is believed to go back possibly as far as 10 000 years. Different types of saunas and sweat baths have been used in countries and cultures all over the world. The first sauna was a pit dug in the ground. A pile of stones were laid at the bottom which got heated with a campfire. Once the stones were warm, the pit was covered and water was thrown on the stones to create steam. Countries and cultures all over the world and throughout the times have benefitted from the deep heat of the sauna (Dowdy, C. 2023).
Health benefits
The health benefits of the sauna are holistic, improving both your mental and physical health. The time spent in the sauna is a chance to be present in the moment. Getting into the sauna, you safely store your phone away and take a break from the increasingly digitized and busy world we find ourselves in (Lewis, S. 2024). Sauna Fin (2024) writes that the heat from the sauna helps your body release endorphins, which enhances your mood and can act as a natural painkiller.
Lewis (S. 2024) writes that the sauna can be a time for socialization, as it has been for Finnish people through the times. For Finnish people, the sauna has been a place for loved ones to spend quality time and have deep, meaningful conversations. The sauna has also been a meeting place for new acquaintances and even business arrangements.
As far as the physical benefits, Lewis writes that immersing yourself in heat and steam has shown to have a multitude of benefits. The heat and steam from the sauna can improve your metabolism, cardiovascular function, blood circulation, inflammation, eczema and possibly weight loss.
In Finnish culture, it is common to use bundles of birch twigs known as vihta to give yourself a massage. By gently brushing and slapping the body, it’s said to increase blood circulation, leaving skin soft. It’s common to alternate sauna sessions with dips in cold water or rolling in the snow. Sudden temperature changes can boost your immune system.
Our sauna is a round shaped sauna that looks like a barrel. We specifically chose this type of sauna because of the functionality. Sauna Fin (2024) writes that because the barrel saunas are curved, it allows for efficient heat distribution. This provides a more comfortable experience. The origin of barrel sauna can be traced back to Finland.
Ending note
As previously noted, the sauna can bring a vast number of improvements to your mental and physical health. The main purpose of the sauna is ultimately to make everyone feel their most relaxed (Lewis, S. 2024). In North Woods Sauna, we feel fortunate to be able to enrich our community with these health benefits. The winters in the UP are cold and long. We are excited to be able to share love and heat with our community all throughout the year. As we like to say at North Woods Sauna:
It’s always Summer in the Sauna
References
Dowdy. C. (2023, October 25). The 10 000-year-old origins of the sauna - and why it’s still going strong. BBC NEWS. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20231024-the-10000-year-origins-of-the-sauna-and-why-its-still-going-strong#:~:text=The%20current%20sauna%20craze%20belies,was%20heated%20with%20a%20campfire.
Fromson, A. (2023, July 25). The history of saunas: From ancient times to today. My sauna world. https://mysaunaworld.com/blogs/sauna-tips/history-of-saunas?srsltid=AfmBOopwo6_m85aVxjwY0yTdSFGcj0E2ftv0CCwXsuYAeE64hauRWFjs
Lewis, S. (2024, February 3). Letting off steam: everything you need to know about Finnish sauna. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-finnish-sauna
Sauna Fin (2024, march 18). Why barrel saunas have become the trendiest home addition for 2024. Sauna Fin: Saunas & Steambaths. https://www.saunafin.com/blog/why-barrel-saunas-have-become-the-trendiest-home-addition-for-2024/#:~:text=Barrel%20saunas%20have%20been%20around,of%20the%20most%20popular%20designs.