Saunas can offer a few health benefits like improved blood circulation, relaxation, muscle recovery, and potential cardiovascular improvements due to the heat exposure. Regular sauna use can also reduce stress and sometimes promote better sleep. However, they do have issues like excessive heat can cause dehydration, dizziness, or even heat stroke if not used properly. Being in a sauna for too long can be dangerous, same with using saunas with alcohol. It is really a matter of responsibility.
The NYT article “Finland Says It Can Teach Tourists to Be Happy” highlights how Finland’s sauna, food, and community contribute to mental well-being. It says that saunas are everywhere and accessible to the public. The article states saunas are tourist attractions and they offer relaxation that can improve sleep, memory, and stress levels. The article makes saunas sound like a social equalizer in a way, improving the local and public physically, socially and spiritually.
The physical benefits are not backed up by science, an ice bath is proven but saunas have less evidence to back them up. However, for many the sauna is a palace to relax and feel connected to themself. In my experience at the bath house the sauna did not make me feel as clean in the way it was advertised. Coming out of the sauna I’d feel sticky and gross and nothing like I do coming out of the shower. For me the most relaxing park of the bath house was the cool pools right after we exited the sauna.
In my experience and the NYT article saunas are more of a mental medicine than something that will benefit you physically. Sometimes happiness is the best medicine so if a sauna is that place for you then there's no reason one should not use saunas.
Howdy, Aidan! I agree with you in that the benefit of saunas is perhaps a mental thing more than anything. The practice of intentionally seeking out a quiet place in order to lie back, reflect, and leave your worries at the door is perhaps what makes a positive impact in someone's state of mind. This is probably something that can be achieved outside of the sauna experience, which is good news for those of us not very accustomed to it.
ReplyDeleteHowdy Aidan! I really enjoyed your post! I agree with your idea of saunas specializing in more of a mental medicine as opposed to a physical one. Happiness is something that is subjective and can be different for everyone. I totally concur if sauna if your source of happiness then sweat away!
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