Sauna and spa treatments can be extremely beneficial, but it is important to understand that the extent of the benefits depends on the mindset you carry into the treatment and whether or not you maintain that mindset after. The primary benefit of sauna and spa treatments is that it feels good. When you feel good you are more relaxed and it is easier to let go of stress. An issue with these wellness experiences is that they are usually very expensive and not accessible to many people. In the article, the author wrote that it was difficult to find affordable experiences in New York compared to Finland.
To be able to deeply feel the benefits you have to allow your mind and body to slow down and take in the experience. From class, I know that there are many physiological changes that occur when in a sauna, but achieving the feeling of relaxation requires you to choose to be in a calm mindset. The NYT article supports the argument that wellness is not obtained through treatment alone. The author writes about her experience trying to create the feeling of wellness in New York, but she achieves this feeling only after remembering the Finnish idea that wellness is about the pleasure of simplicity and nature.
Spa treatments can be seen as genuinely helpful or as a placebo used to make money. It depends on the mindset you take into it. I found my sauna experience on Norderney very relaxing because I was in the mindset that I wanted to enjoy and get the most out of it. Previously, I have had spa experiences where I was not able to relax because I couldn't let go of the responsibilities it felt like I was putting off. This is similar to how the author of the article had conflicting experiences when doing the same wellness activities, but on different days in different settings. The NYT article supports the argument that wellness is not obtained through treatment alone. She eventually discovered that a different kind of activity than sauna or spas helped her reach the feeling of wellness. Wellness is a state of being that can be reached differently by everyone. Even though the spa experiences feel relaxing and rejuvenating, finding the beauty and simplicity in life around her had a larger impact on her long-term wellness. You are able to find wellness in the sauna and spa, but maintaining that feeling beyond the experience requires you to remember the reasons behind it.
Hi Kendall! I appreciate here in your blog post on how you presented the two different sides of the sauna: as either a helpful experience or a placebo. You are correct in saying that the relaxing experience of the sauna somewhat depends on the approach of the mindset. I am glad you were able to enjoy the Badehaus!
ReplyDeleteHey Kendall! I also shared a similar opinion on saunas. I think the placebo factor plays such a big role in so many things especially those regarding alternative medicines. It can be helpful in some situations like this one; where saunas don’t harm you physically but can often be good for you!
ReplyDeleteHowdy Kendall, I really like how you touched on the idea of mindset. I agree that if you do not mentally relax your body will not feel rested even if you are going through the motions. Everyone is different and some treatments may be stressful for some. So it is important to find what works best for you. Mental relaxation is what leads the body into releasing tension.
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