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.
The nudity in the saunas really did highlight the difference between European and American culture. I think it is interesting that you noted preferring to relax not in a shared space because when I was in the sauna I was able to get to a point of relaxation where I stopped thinking about all the other people around me. I agree with your point that sauna bathing should not be used as a replace for real medicine or other important aspects of self care.
ReplyDeleteI like that you noted how you need to be in a specific mindset to get the benefits from this type of activity, especially since I feel like that was Lokting's problem with her experience as well. I do think there should be more studies on the actual physical benefits of the sauna and more of an emphasis on the mental so as not to confuse people or set a certain expectation for this experience. Social differences are also a huge thing and I wonder if that added to her disconnect to the experience at all.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that I prefer to relax by myself. When I’m around other people, I feel that I cannot truly be myself. While sauna may be a placebo for some, that placebo won’t last forever. The quality ways to improve your life resonate very well. Any significant life change requires work and effort in many more areas than just one.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of privacy was definitely a culture shock… The three of us guys were able to kinda sneak our swim suits into the sauna so that definitely helped us feel more comfortable in the saunas but I completely understand how that was awkward or hard to feel comfortable and relaxed in the sauna. I also agree with your point where saunas should not replace medicines. Saunas can improve mental health if it brings you pease but it should not replace modern medicines or procedures.
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