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