2: Happiness For Tourists (Nikash Kakarla)

Treatments in regards to saunas and spas have been shown to provide many benefits to the body and helps one relax, but its important to understand that the effectiveness of the treatment and the benefits that saunas offer are based on the perception one carry’s before and after the treatment. One of the many benefits of saunas is the relaxing effect and its ability to increase serotonin levels which leads to greater feelings of joy and less anxiety. With the increase of serotonin levels this helps decrease stresses that may be caused by environmental factors. The issue however, is that there isn’t a widely accessible methods for those who may not be able to afford it as sauna treatment to experience it. Sauna treatments vary in price points but most of the times its a very expensive process. Within the article, the author mentioned how people in metropolitan areas such as New York and Finland find it difficult to find to find affordable saunas.

Although it my not be accessible for all, once one has the opportunity to experience a sauna, they should be inclined to allow for the spiritual and mental state of their self’s to slow down and fully emerge themselves into the experience to gain its full potential. During the lectures I learned about the adversities one may face which can lead to physiological changes during the sauna but letting go of ones perceptions and fears will allow a complete experience and one should develop a state of full calmness while in the sauna. Within the NYT article, this idea is reinforced as wellness is not solely obtained though the physical treatment alone. The author exemplifies her experience while in New York on creating a sense of wellness; however she only achieves this feeling when recalling the Finnish idea that soundness and wellness is about the appreciation of the natural environment and simplicities. 

Many may counter argue and encourage the idea that it simply is a placebo effect that is pushed to allow for money to be generated, but this opinion must be digressed. Learning information through lectures and experiencing this sauna first hand has taught me that the benefits do indeed exist and it was quite enjoyable indeed. The sauna experience within Norderney was one of the best excursions I had the pleasure of experiencing. The various therapies that were offered were absolutely splendid and I would highly advise family and friends alike to enjoy their stay at the badehause. Similar to me, the author also reached a discovery that differing spa treatments reached differing states of emotions which illustrates that the treatment can also be tailored to ones inner self and help them full experience the benefits. A state of wellness can differ from person to person so it is important to reflect into ones tastes and see which one truly fits their needs. Although the treatment itself can attribute to many qualities akin to rejuvenation, it is critical to focus on the human condition as well and find that a shift in minds set to find beauty within the day to day life and ones simple surrounding can also lead to an overall better lifestyle and wellness. Stay spa treatin, cause ya never know when you’ll be getting a beatin!

2: Happiness for Tourists? (Samantha Fehlis)

 I enjoyed my experience in the sauna on Norderney, but I did not think it was something life changing or that I would be interested in doing regularly. There were moments of the extreme heat that were very pleasant, but the lack of privacy and general nudity did not appeal to me. This highlighted a large cultural attitude difference between the United States and Europe regarding privacy and the body. I prefer to relax and decompress by myself without the added layer of social dynamics in a shared space. 

On the whole, saunas and spas can provide people a relaxing and pleasant experience but they should not be used as a replacement for real treatment and therapy. The actual health benefits have very questionable evidence as we learned during class and on the island, but that doesn't eliminate how they can be a tool to relax in stressful periods of life. Self care is incredibly important to make sure one does not reach a point of burn out. However, while resting in the sauna or getting a massage are great experiences, if you don’t actually adjust your mindset these activities are not a cure all, as Britta Lokting noted in her New York Times article. 

Real benefits can only come from serious decisions to be more mindful and intentional about one’s health. Reducing stress is one method to improve health, but exercise, eating well, and sleeping well are much more important. If partaking in saunas and spas can contribute to someone feeling better in life than I am all for that, but we can’t expect miracles from one activity. Lokting’s article made a great point of this, impressing that many choices have to be made to improve your quality of life. 

2: Happiness for Tourists? (Olivia Cotton)

    Sauna and spa treatments, much like any other therapeutic techniques, require commitment and openness to the full experience to see their benefits. In order to feel better and let oneself go, you must first give in to the process and allow yourself to be uncomfortable then transformed. Sauna and spa culture is not popular in the U.S. (besides the spa days bought by those that can afford it), which leads to the uneasy feeling when first experiencing this. However, this uneasiness can lead to mental health benefits once one gets accustomed.

    Going to the Badehaus in Norderney was not my first experience with saunas and bathhouses, which is probably why it felt so natural for myself to be in this environment again. Living in Japan I’ve had the opportunity to go to onsens and experience a similar culture. My first time however, was not as relaxing and beneficial as the subsequent times, as I was worried about how well I was “doing” the onsen. Instead of focusing on my own relaxation, I was focusing on if I had cleaned my body the right way, and if I was holding the towel how those in Japan did. While it’s true that most of these worries vanished once I got in the soothing mineral waters, there was still a level of anxiety due to the unknown of this experience. Since that first trip to the onsen though, I have gone again and gave in to the whole process, allowing myself the relaxation promised by many.

    Coming to Norderney, I was excited to experience this culture again, even though there are definitely many differences between the two. Being in the Badehaus made not just my body feel relaxed, but my mind as well. I let go of personal problems I was pondering and stayed present in the way the salt water eased my muscles and spirits. I left feeling lighter than before, an experience that would be shared by many.

    After reading Britta Lokting’s article, my simple stance is this: she did not do it right. Most things in life come with practice, and the first time is always uncomfortable. This is a principle and motto I tend to live by, as it reaps pretty positive results. To Lokting, the sauna was of little help and all happiness hacks she found in Norway failed in her daily New York City lifestyle. Perhaps this was due to the fact that she was trying too hard, as she acknowledged, or it was the poor infrastructure for long term happiness in the U.S. and her own personal issues getting in the way. Instead of seeking the sauna and nature for relaxation and enjoyment, she clouded this with her own need to check a box on her contentment to-do list. If you can not find these techniques readily in the U.S., then pivot to find your own personal brand of happiness, however that may be. Happiness is not a commodity someone simply buys by booking a ticket to Helsinki, but a skill one practices through time and effort, along with the knowledge of what your body needs.

While yes, a spa and sauna experience can not fully gift you unlimited happiness in life, it can improve your wellbeing if you let it. While the physical benefits may not be there, calling for more thorough research, the mental health ones are up to you. Leave your feelings at the door and think about the way your body feels in its environment. Listen to the sounds of nature and the textures you feel to ground yourself and build a connection between your body and the earth. Concrete and glass will only push this connection further apart, so relish the little things and understand where people are coming from in history with the innately human experience it is to find relaxation in the earth. Sauna and a dip in the North Sea can clear your head and bring you a sense of peace you’ve never felt before, if only you let it. 

2: Happiness for Tourist? : Payten Jackson

 Suanas and Chasing Happiness

    

    Suanas have been used for hundreds of years, including Nordeney, which has been a Spa Island since the 1700s. Sweat baths have been in existence since prehistoric times, with the Fins officially giving it the name "Suana", which means to cleanse the body and spirit. Suana usage has been associated with emotional and physical therapy, and there has been limited research to prove its effectiveness in improving the physical state of an individual, but emotional treatment is harder to prove. Chasing the idea of happiness through various activities does not lead to genuine happiness, and instead ends with comparison.

    After reading the article from The New York Times (31 March 2025), it can be concluded that chasing happiness does not lead to the actual feeling. The author of the article was constantly in the mindset of "well, if it works for them, it will work for me," which is an unproductive approach. Yes, Finland has been awarded as one of the happiest countries on the planet, but more factors contribute to that than the author addressed. The author of the article would ask others for advice on what she could do to be happy, but she never asked herself what made her happy. She was constantly looking outward for an answer instead of looking inward. Going to saunas or talking to nature is not going to suddenly cure loneliness or sadness, when the next idea is to compare. 

    The common phrase "comparison is the thief of joy" is threaded throughout this article. The author compares the residents, the governments, and the cultures, but fails to recognize the beauty in these differences. I agree that the United States has multiple ways it can improve to help its citizens feel more appreciated and valued, but as society continues to change, it is necessary to seek value in oneself first. The author only ever felt happy when she stopped comparing and copying exactly what the Fins do, but instead modified it to fit her daily life. Walking with her dog and releasing her feelings into nature made her content once she realized that her situation was not the same. Her journey shows that things like saunas and forests cannot bring happiness until the idea of what happiness should look like is no longer chased.

    When I went to the Bade-House in Nordeney, I was excited to experience my first sauna and the other amenities. The first obstacle was that nakedness was required within the sauna, which is not common in the United States. As I undressed to get into the sauna, I started to get a little nervous, but I knew it would be worth it. Once I got in and sat down, and conversed with the other girls, I enjoyed how peaceful it was. The sound of the rocks shrinking and expanding under the heat and the smell of the wood made me relax. Dr. Wasser had taught us that sweating would increase and become faster the more often the sauna was used. After washing off with cold water, then going to the next sauna, I did notice I would start sweating faster, which made the sauna more comfortable. 

    When it was time to leave the Bade-House, my skin was supple and rejuvenated, and after a week of biking, my muscles finally felt relaxed. Of course, my experience will be much different than the person next to me, and I understand that. I enjoyed the suanas and the different pools, but other people may not have had a good experience. This is why it is good to not compare what you find happiness in to what another person might not. Even if I did not enjoy the saunas, I would not go "I did everything like the Germans, I should be happy now." This line of logic will leave one chasing instead of being grounded. When the author finally stopped trying to be like other people, she found what brought her joy.

    Emotions are a fluid idea, constantly changing and not at a set point. This is why it is important not to base contentment on others. People find joy in many ways, whether it be partying, reading, exercising, or going to saunas. Stepping away from comparison is the biggest step forward toward individuality.

Payten

2: Happiness for Tourists (Thomas)

From my Personal Experience, I believe the sauna is good if performed for its proven benefits: providing an acute sensation and momentary distraction. While there are many claims of sauna's benefits, anywhere from “it’s good to sweat” to pseudoscience of the highest order, I believe that sauna on its own is harmless. The danger of sauna arises from those who see it as the ultimate solution rather than a therapeutic tool to accompany modern medicine when treating illnesses. Once, when I was shadowing an oncologist, there was a sweet man accompanied by a not-so-sweet spouse who both believed wholeheartedly that traditional medicine was out to get them and would only receive medical advice if it was considered “alternative medicine”. One of these alternative therapies presented by the couple was the sauna. That man had stage 2 colorectal cancer. This is very treatable if a treatment plan is started early, but with the promise of “alternative” therapies that had lofty claims behind them, not supported by research or any medical personnel on the planet, but rather sung by sauna enthusiasts, that man would choose only these miracle waters until it was too late. This is the problem when therapeutics and practices get too big for their britches. Nothing is inherently wrong with astrology, chiropractors, or saunas. The problems begin when people declare that astrology will determine your future, chiropractors can cure heart disease, and saunas can cure cancer. No clinically supported treatment will ever be able to compete with the assurance of resolution that these pseudosciences peddle. 

Additionally, the practice of sauna, with sudden changes in surface body temperature, swift dehydration, and increased cardiac output, should be monitored by healthcare professionals. I was amazed how a local swimming pool has lifeguards, but the human furnace is relatively unsupervised. I have no qualms with sauna if done properly, but the potential heart fatigue, kidney strain, and blood osmolarity changes seem to be to likely, given the environment, to not require monitoring personnel or even a hydration blood test at the door. 

I found the New York Times article very sad. The author traveled across the globe in the search for happiness, to then bring home to be practiced in New York. This is almost the hero's journey, except she didn’t find the boon. As she experienced the Finnish cold plunges and talked with trees, I’m sure she had a great relaxing vacation, but upon returning to the US, she rooted her purpose in replicating this foreign lifestyle. I do not think happiness is found in practices such as these. Similar to her cold plunge experience, I think true happiness is found in doing something hard and prevailing. I believe that true happiness is found in taking on responsibilities and fulfilling them. This is why people weightlift, run, take a hard major, help others, start families, take on new jobs, and strive for excellence. The happiness is in the challenge, not in the trees. 

She acquired tools to substitute valuable things in the human experience, such as relationships, which is fine if there are no platonic relationships to be had, but instead of substituting them, I feel the focus should be on acquiring them. With the conclusion and key to happiness being “Quiet the mind, and find pleasure in small acts and observations”, this is only a shell of a revelation. You cannot persist in a zen state all the time. To be truly happy, you need to learn to love the chaos just as much as the still of the storm. To be truly happy, we need to humble ourselves and recognize our total powerlessness in the world, and yet trudge forward anyway. If happiness is all that we seek, we will never achieve the most valuable experiences found in sacrifice, hard work, and grief. 

The article, class, and my own experiences connect as they all point to the danger of harmless practices when people entrust them with their ultimate healing. The article walks us through the thoughts of the author as she attempts to use sauna culture, independently innocuous, to rid off all her sadness and bring about ultimate joy. Our class has walked us through the harmlessness of sauna unless performed in unsafe conditions: dehydrated, inebriated, or exhausted. And my own experience has shown me that sauna is great if used as intended, but can be adverse to patient health if perceived as a cure-all. 

In Conclusion, sauna and sauna culture pose a grave danger if perceived by an individual as the steam baths of ultimate healing. Only sour disappointment awaits those who attempt to sweat away their autoimmune disease or cold plunge away their cancers. If, however, one perceives sauna as an accompanying therapy to traditional medicine, it can be used responsibly, providing relaxation at a minimum with no major adverse effects. Finally, from a philosophical point of view, as it relates to the New York Times article, I do not think that sauna culture can ever replace growth as a human through responsibility and challenge. 

2: Happiness for Tourists (Victoria Gomez)

 Saunas = Happiness?

    When I saw the itinerary included a trip to a spa island with luxury saunas I was more than excited. Ignorant to German and Finnish culture of saunas, my idea of the sauna experience was far from what we participated in. I had associated a sauna to the limited knowledge I obtain from my local gym. But my time spent on the quaint island of Nordeney forever altered what a sauna will mean to me.

 The entire week leading up to the saunas were spent being lectured by our professors on the theory and actual statistics accompanied by this idea of thelasso therapy. We were educated on the theory that although there is little concrete evidence on the physical healing aspect of saunas, there is more material backing of a positive mental health result. Before even entering the sanctuary that contained the saunas, I made a mental pact with myself to open myself up to this new unique experience. As someone who is chronically stressed and anxious, I knew this was something I needed and I wanted to put forth my best efforts to reach this alleged relaxation the saunas provided. Upon entering the sauna I was excited due to the amount of buildup I endured for this whole experience. I knew the sauna would be hot, but my word was I not even in the ballpark of how hot it actually was. Initially I was overwhelmed by the amount of heat being wafted in my face, but the smell of salts cleared my sinuses as well as my mind. With each sauna I went in, I gained confidence and comfort with the whole process. Even though I wasn’t inherently more stressed or anxious, I felt little to no effect after each sauna regarding my mental wellbeing. On a physical aspect, I did feel refreshed and like I could smell colors from miles away. The idea that saunas possess a healing factor may be subjective to the person going through the process. Although the healing factors of saunas may not be a universal application, it can still serve as an enjoyable experience of culture and relaxation. 

    In the article “Finland Says It Can Teach Tourists to Be Happy. Challenge Accepted.”, the author embarks on a quest to discover the key to happiness. In doing this she employs multiple strategies that are suggested to provide a sense of happiness. She finds these strategies on her stay in Finland through multiple people. Each held a foundation of staying embedded in nature and having a foundation of appreciating the little moments within life. But even when the author went through with these methods, they fell short and she was plagued with loneliness. She would search for happiness wherever she went. The author finally concludes that happiness is different for everyone. What makes one person happy may not apply to everyone else. I personally love reading and movies while my best friend enjoys exercising and going out. The key to achieving happiness is something everyone will struggle to find if they search for it endlessly. 

    The process of going to a sauna is one meant for relaxation and a spiritual renewing. This process can fall short if one is without the correct heart posture. The article given to us from the NYT was a stark demonstration of this. If one goes tirelessly searching for something, they often do not fins it and miss what is in front of them. Her continuation of looking for happiness never works until she takes time to pause and look around her. This stillness and calm, similar to that of a sauna, is difficult to achieve if your thoughts are clouded by external factors. The sauna, although having no physical benefits, aids in isolating this calm and breeding a detoxifying sentiment in an ideal scenario. Even if one does not feel the spiritual renewal others experience, saunas are one thing that if you get the opportunity face it with an open heart and a cold shower nearby! 

Thanks & gig’em,

Victoria Gomez

    

    

2: Happiness for Tourists (Anna Beth)

     According to Lucius' father in Thermae Romae Novae, "They [Roman baths] are celebrations of our way of life... in war and in life...if you cannot rest your body and rejuvenate your strength, giving any endeavor your best is impossible" (Episode 1). Lucius, as the main character, is inspired by the collaboration of his grandfather and father to cultivate and protect the future of Rome by providing a tranquil space for relaxation and release of unwanted tension for its citizens. While this could be considered a very dramatic statement about the role of the Roman baths, the function of such baths, as well as saunas, could be considered a highly beneficial practice for the awareness and appreciation of a supple body and calm mind.

    The article provides a resonation for any burnout American, who desires a sense of release from the heavy demands of life. As a collegiate athlete, I understand the need to relax my mind from the academic studies and my legs and core from activities of riding. Though I do not really think talking to trees will give me peace, I agree with the author that the Nordic practice of saunas can engage the release of stress through an active conscious presence of mind. As the author describes, I also experienced a sense of glow and renewal as I walked out of the sauna into the open air. 

    However, when is hot too hot? My little brother came to visit me as I studied in Costa Rica, and as a fun adventure I took him to hot springs warmed by the local volcano. When we jumped into the hottest bath advertised by the springs, my brother and I took one look at each other... and screamed! We got of there as fast as our burned bodies could take us. During the sauna experience in Germany, I gritted my teeth while the hot löyl was wafted towards me by the ritual fan. Instead of pursuing this experience as a point for relaxation, I was engaged in a battle of physical fortitude to withstand such temperatures!  Is this a correct approach to the sauna and hot baths? When can too much become too much? I am not able to answer that question here, but it is an exploratory question to ask about the possible exchange I made between fighting through the burning pain and the peaceful relaxation I had initially come for. 

    Looking back on my experience from the Badehaus, I wish I could incorporate such practices at home. The least I can do is a hot shower after a long day. As a last reflection, the Badehaus (and class lectures about the sauna) has changed my views on relaxation and the particular care I need to apply to my body and mind. I have discovered a purpose to rejuvenate my strength through the usage of the manipulation of environmental conditions.