Finnish sauna culture is a centuries-old tradition, which still exists today in Finland is firmly anchored. For Finns, sauna bathing is not only a way to cleanse themselves physically, but also an opportunity to relieve stress, relax and socialize. So sauna culture is practically part of Finland's DNA. This article is all about taking a sauna in the land of a thousand lakes!
History of sauna culture
Sweat baths have been around for several millennia, but it took time for the Finnish sauna culture to form. The first types of saunas already existed during the Stone Age in Asia. These were very simple - often a pit in the ground filled with hot stones and filled with water to produce steam.
Saunas were already widespread in Asia, South, Central and North America before they found their way to Finland.Many people lived as nomads at that time and imported their cultural goods, rituals and the steam bath to Finland.
The cold climate in Scandinavia led to the sauna becoming very popular there. However, the frozen ground made it difficult to dig holes in the ground, so the idea was to build the sauna in block-like huts. Today, many of these saunas are still located near bodies of water to cool off after a sauna session.
In Finland, the sauna used to be considered a place of silence and darkness, where loud talking and swearing were undesirable so as not to anger the gods.
The sauna was also a place where babies were born and patients were treated. When building a house, it was customary to first build the sauna, which then served as accommodation until the house was completed.
Traditional sauna rituals
In Finland there are many practices and rituals during sauna! Some of them are:
- Vihta/Visko: A sauna puff is a bunch of freshly cut birch twigs used during the sauna bath to exfoliate the skin and promote blood circulation. In addition, the scent of birch twigs provides a pleasant aromatherapy experience that enhances the relaxation effect of the sauna.
- Löyly: One of the most important things of the Finnish sauna bath is the löyly, or infusion. This involves pouring water onto the hot stones of the sauna, creating a dry cloud of steam. This löyly cloud is often distributed with a wooden ladle to evenly distribute the heat in the room.
- Avanto: The avanto is a bath in a lake or a frozen body of water, often taken after the sauna session to cool down.
- Sauna sausages: In Finland, certain Food and drinks to go with your sauna visit, including sauna sausages (makkara) and beer or lemonade. The sausages are usually grilled directly in the sauna and are a delicious snack for in between!
Health benefits of the sauna
Taking a sauna has a variety of health benefits. Here are some of the most important:
- Detoxification: Sweating in the sauna can sweat out toxins and heavy metals from the body.
- Better blood circulation: The heat in the sauna promotes blood circulation and can help relieve pain and inflammation.
- Stress Reduction: The relaxing and meditative experience of sauna bathing can help relieve stress and reduce anxiety.
- Improvement of physical performance: Regular sauna bathing can improve physical performance by increasing muscle power.
- More beautiful skin: Sweating and exfoliating in the sauna can cleanse the skin, giving it a smoother and more youthful appearance.
- Better sleep: Deep relaxation while taking a sauna can help improve sleep quality and alleviate sleep disorders.
- Support of the immune system: Regular saunas can strengthen the immune system and help reduce the risk of infection and disease.
It should be noted that sauna bathing is not suitable for some people due to health concerns. It is always advisable to talk to a doctor before taking a sauna, especially if you have a history of cardiovascular disease or other health problems.
Tips and etiquette for visiting a Finnish sauna
Finnish sauna culture is known for having no real rules, yet there are a few things you should know:
- In public saunas, the Finns usually wear Swimwear. Of course, in Finland it is also common to sweat naked in the sauna. But this usually happens only in the company of family members or close friends.
- Everyone stays in for as long as they can stand it - some for just 10 minutes, others for several hours. The number of sauna sessions and the length of the breaks are also determined individually.
- In Finland, water is poured on the hot stones much more often.
- While in Germany silence reigns while taking a sauna, Finns often have lively conversations throughout the sauna session.
- The subsequent ice bathing absolutely must not be missing in the Finnish sauna! The combination of heat and cold is also healthy.
Finnish sauna culture
Not only the Finnish sauna culture will inspire you, but also the breathtaking nature and culture are unique. A Journey to this country is an experience you won't forget in a hurry. So, if you want to escape the stress of everyday life and enjoy pure relaxation, then a trip to Finland is for you! Finland has so much to offer, so don't wait any longer and dive into the adventure of a lifetime!
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