What Is a Traditional Finnish Sauna?

Finland – the homeland of the sauna

There were around half a million saunas in Finland in 1938, and there were approximately 1.5 million saunas in Finland in 1990. This represents a threefold increase in the total number of saunas in Finland over the course of the past 50 years. This is a numerical record holder for its category, with just 5 million people making up the overall population.

The first saunas were built in more rural areas, but over time, they made their way into more urban settings as well. First constructed in the yard outside of the living area, town saunas were later moved inside of detached and terraced houses as well as blocks of flats, where they were shared by all of the families living in the building. In the cities, it was also usual for them to have public saunas. During those times, the old adage that advised people to "share your tobacco and tinderbox but not your sauna or your woman" was disregarded. People are more interested in having their personal saunas constructed into their individual apartments or even bed-sitters, with the bathroom acting as both the washing room and the sauna at the same time. This is helping to bring the concept back into fashion.

The Finnish way of life is inconceivable without a sauna. A Finnish individuals, regardless of whether they are an immigrant, an athlete, or an exporter, will bring the sauna with them everywhere they go. The Finnish soldiers in the battle required their baths just like the other soldiers, therefore wherever they could, they built a tent or dugout sauna. The fact that Finns serving in the United Nations Peace Corps construct a sauna at each location they are assigned has also garnered a lot of attention.

In 1936, a sauna was constructed at the Dobernitz Olympic Village for the purpose of accommodating Finnish athletes who were competing in the Berlin Olympic Games. The design was done in Finland, and the business helped promote the concept of having a sauna in Central European countries.

A sauna is a common amenity found in public swimming pools and fitness centers, as well as in hotels, vacation resorts, and camping grounds. Numerous families each have their very own sauna hut on a river, lake, or ocean. If a company wants to preserve the image of a successful corporation, it is very necessary for that company to have its very own sauna or sauna suite. Saunas have been offered to customers traveling on boats and vehicle ferries in Finland for quite some time, and now even the prospect of installing a sauna on a railway is being examined. It appears that the number of different kinds of saunas is growing, and the only one that appears to be declining is the traditional public sauna found in many towns.

Saunas in Finland: A Cultural and Historical Perspective

You must know by now that the sauna is an integral part of daily life in Finland. Having a sauna is not a perk but a necessity in Finland.

Traditional saunas used heated pits covered with animal skins, which were the forerunners of modern saunas. Unlike the slick and polished saunas, the traditional sauna I saw was a pit with a grass ceiling, and it was rather dirty. Nonetheless, I believe that it was a paradise around 10,000 years ago.

It appeared that the smoke sauna was built around a conventional sauna hearth. The smoke sauna was superseded by the wood-burning sauna and the electric sauna.

The sauna was traditionally located in a separate building. this tradition dates back hundreds of years. Whenever a family started building a new home, the sauna was always the first room to go up. Until the main house was finished, that's where the whole family stayed. Finnish households began permanently attaching them to the house in the 20th century.

There is a strong cultural resonance between the sauna and Finland. Health, cleanliness, and purity are all encouraged in a sauna. There is zero correlation between sauna use and erotica. One would even go so far as to label it a holy place.

Women in Finland traditionally gave birth in saunas until the middle of the twentieth century, when hospitals became the norm.

Finns have visited saunas for centuries for a wide range of reasons. In the past, people frequented saunas for a wide range of purposes, including rest and relaxation, body cleansing, medical care, and even religious rites. It was here that new lives were brought into the world, future brides were made ritually pure, and ageing citizens went to die away.

Several schools of thought have developed through time regarding the ideal location for a sauna and the best wood to burn there. To ensure future pleasant sauna sessions, the initial soak in a new sauna required familiarity with time-honored customs. Invoking more spells was required in order to use someone else's sauna.

In the past, people have used saunas for primarily therapeutic and restorative purposes. Several of the customs and rituals once associated with the Finnish sauna are still observed today.

Spa elf (saunatonttu). Tolkien's "Sauna Elf" lives in the sauna. You could get him a bowl of rice porridge for Christmas.

Sauna for the bride (morsiussauna). Any authentic Finnish bachelorette party must include a bridal sauna. Accents like candles and flowers brighten the room. The bride gets cleansed with an egg, salt, and flour concoction while the women enjoy a sauna together. To disperse malevolent spirits, make a lot of noise.

Bark from a birch tree (vihta or vasta, depends on region). The Finns' sauna ritual often includes beating the body with fresh birch twigs to improve circulation.

Is Finnish sauna good for the physical body only?

Care of both body and soul

Certain individuals are adamant in their conviction that the primary function of the sauna was to raise the body temperature. Taking a bath is an effective way to ward off colds, relax stiff muscles, and ease the symptoms of pain, tiredness, and sadness. In the beginning, only a small amount of water was used because it was believed that one's skin would get clean through the process of perspiration. However, throughout time, the role of the sauna as a location where the body could be completely cleaned by flushing and washing became an increasingly essential aspect of its use.

The fundamental steps of the sauna experience remain unchanged: getting warm, sweating, inhaling the lye vapor and whisking it, rinsing off, and finally, cooling off. These days, people typically go swimming in order to cool off. There are many people who enjoy cooling down in the fresh air, and there are also those courageous individuals who wish to roll around in the snow or take a bath in the water by breaking a hole in the ice that covers the ocean or lake.

According to an old proverb, taking a sauna without using a birch whisk is like eating food without adding any salt. The bather gives himself a few light taps with the whisk, which increases blood flow in the skin, increases the rate at which perspiration occurs, and provides a nice perfume in the warm room. Young birch twigs, which are aroma superior to the twigs of any other tree, are traditionally used to make the whisk. It is possible to recreate the birch-like aroma of summer even when it is not summer by using dried or frozen whisks.

The practice of bathing in a sauna not only cleans the body but also makes the mind purer. The state of mind that one attains after participating in a slow and relaxing sauna routine is one that is best characterized as ecstatic. It is similar to being reborn; all negative emotions vanish, and you experience a sense of harmony with the rest of the world. This is what the Finns mean when they talk about receiving "treatment for the soul" in the sauna.

How to Use a Finnish Sauna?

This is step-by-step advice on how to conduct yourself appropriately in a traditional Finnish sauna.

Step 1: heat it up (if it's your job)

If you go to a public swimming pool or sauna, the sauna will already be heated up for you. You need to do nothing more than simply enjoy it.

In the event that your lodgings or cottage are equipped with a personal sauna, you will be responsible for its operation.

You will need to start a fire in the wood stove of your sauna in order to warm up the stones, and you will need to continue adding more firewood as the fire burns.

It is much simpler to use an electric sauna; often, you just need to touch a few buttons while following the included instructions, and in one to two hours it will achieve the desired temperature.

You should shoot for an air temperature of 80 to 90 degrees Celsius (°F), and you may monitor it using the thermometer that is mounted on the wall within the sauna.

Step 2: stay hydrated at all times (not with booze)

It is imperative that you consume an adequate amount of fluids. Water. You were required to visit the sauna in the past, as well as while you are currently there.

Because you will be sweating a lot, you need to take precautions to prevent yourself from being dehydrated. Bring a bottle of water with you and replace it as necessary throughout the day.

Consuming alcohol depletes the amount of water in your body. Consuming alcohol, whether in the form of beer or something harsher, is not the most effective approach to keeping hydrated, and alcohol can also influence the performance of your heart.

Step 3: Get naked and take a shower – Finland Sauna Etiquette

Strip down to your underwear. Indeed, you have it correct. In the sauna, Finns typically do not wear any clothing at all. Have a shower to wash and remove your makeup and perfume out of respect for the people around you as well as for your own safety and well-being. It will also be beneficial for your pores.

When they go to the sauna, Finns remove all of their clothing before entering. Be brave! If you are feeling uneasy, try wrapping a towel around yourself.

- Sauna (turns) for men and women: public saunas are (typically) either exclusively for men or exclusively for women (in swimming pools), or they have designated times of day when each gender can use the sauna (in apartment buildings).

Step3: grab a sauna towel

In public saunas, disposable sauna towels are provided; however, you are welcome to bring your own (clean) towel. At this house, we have sauna pads. You are going to sit on it.

Step 4: Get seated – choose a bench

Benches are often found on two levels, with the exception of those seen in larger saunas. The higher ones have a higher temperature. Choose based on what is most comfortable for you, and don't be afraid to move if the temperature gets too high where you are.

Step 5: Sprinkle some water on the stones (a.k.a. 'löyly')

The temperature will go up all of a sudden due to the steam. Be sure to start by simply pouring one teaspoon of water into the container, and then watch the result. Never pour water directly from the bucket, and if you get wet, don't pour any more water on yourself. There is a possibility that oils were employed to give the water a pleasant aroma; however, doing so can result in painful burns.

Step 6: Relax.

Take in the peaceful atmosphere, or engage in conversation with your friends. Enjoy yourself. Relax. After ten to twenty minutes have passed, it is time to take a rest.

Step 7: Go outside and cool down.

Your body requires some downtime in order to recover. Get some fresh air, submerge yourself in a body of cold water, run through the snow, or just take a cold shower. Wait and drink a lot of water. Continue to spend roughly the same amount of time outside as you did inside the sauna.

These cycles of warming up and cooling down have a number of positive effects on one's health. They strengthen your cardiovascular system, which, in turn, can contribute to a reduction in your blood pressure (after regular use).

Step 8: Return for the next round (Steps 5-7)

Return to the sauna, pour some water on the stove and bask in the warmth while you're there. Continue going through the motions for as long as it delights you (probably a reasonable starting point would be an hour's time limit.).

Step 9: Take a final shower and finish your sauna experience

Make sure you give your body ample time to reach its usual temperature once the temperature was altered. Take your time getting ready, and don't be in a hurry. Even a fast shower won't stop your body from producing sweat. Put some clothes on and make sure you're well hydrated.

The Finnish Sauna Etiquette

Etiquette in the sauna varies greatly from country to country. For instance, in Germany, there is a person referred to as a "sauna master" whose job is to be the only one who can sprinkle water over hot stones in the sauna.

• Anyone in Finland is permitted to pour water onto a hot stove. The task is given to the person who is seated in the chair that is closest to the bucket of water.
• When you go to the sauna, you don't typically wear a swimsuit since the chemicals in it can have an adverse reaction to the heat. Make use of a towel if you are experiencing feelings of shyness.
• Nearly everywhere you go, there will be separate saunas for men and women to use. This is common practice, for instance in hotels and public swimming facilities.
• Always change into your swimwear or towel before entering a mixed-gender public sauna.
• It's common practice for people of the same sex to be naked around one another. If you are uneasy, you should wrap yourself in a towel.
• You can have a conversation with a sauna in Finland. Although it's not strictly illegal, most Finns prefer to keep a low profile when they visit the sauna.
• A towel is used for seating in the sauna. Public saunas offer a specific disposable sauna tissue for you. In the vicinity of the sauna, you'll find a roll or a pile of them.
• Hygiene is not an issue with saunas because they are cleaned frequently.
• The average temperature in a sauna is approximately 80 degrees Celsius, which is equivalent to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too high for you, try sitting lower.
• If you need to leave the sauna quickly, the best option is to go to the seat that is located closest to the exit. In most cases, the area close to the door has a milder level of heat.
• It is common practice to consume a cold beverage (such as beer, cider, a long drink, lemonade, or water) and a light snack, such as a sausage, either after or during a sauna session.

A word of caution as we part! In general, Finnish males have a rather laid-back attitude toward being exposed without clothing. It is nothing out of the ordinary to find female housekeeping staff members working in male changing rooms.

Traditional Finnish Sauna Benefits

For many years, the Finnish have looked to the sauna as a way to boost their energy levels and improve their overall health. According to an old proverb from Finland, "If sauna, booze, and tar don't help, your sickness is to your death," which also translates as "The sauna is the national medicine in Finland." In the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland, the character Vainamoinen saves his people from dangerous diseases by praying to a god who presides over the sauna and heals people with its steam.

In addition to Finland, research on the health benefits of sauna bathing has also been carried out in Germany and Japan. According to a comprehensive review of the sauna's health effects that was conducted by the University of Jyvaskyla, moderate sauna use is perfectly safe for everyone, including expectant mothers and persons who suffer from cardiovascular disease. One can draw the conclusion that going to the sauna is beneficial for anyone, regardless of their age, be it a young child or an elderly person.

The use of a sauna allows for more thorough cleansing of the skin as well as the elimination of toxins and other impurities from the body. In the meantime, the heat soothes aches and pains in the muscles. In addition to these effects, there is an improvement in the quality of sleep. The most significant advantage to one's health is the increased ability to relax and let go of tension.

Adding peat into your sauna session has been shown to provide treatment for a variety of health conditions, including arthritis, gout, and several skin illnesses.

It has also been demonstrated that going to the sauna and swimming in the winter is beneficial to one's health. Regularly swimming in water that is as cold as it can get is beneficial to your health in many ways. It can boost your energy balance and cold resistance, increase your mood, lower your blood pressure, and wash away any tension that you may be carrying. Alternating between cold and hot temperatures helps to preserve the flexibility of the skin by slowing down the processes that cause cells to age, which is good news for those who are concerned about the impact of their actions on their appearance.

Everyone has their own unique approach to making the most of their time in the sauna, so you can go whenever you like and remain there for as long as you like. Simply sprinkle the water on the pebbles that are on the stove, and you will hear a sizzling sound as the water changes into steam. The calming effect After leaving the sauna to get some fresh air and regain your composure, you should walk back inside to repeat the process.

For many years, the Finnish have looked to the sauna as a way to boost their energy levels and improve their overall health. Since it was first invented, the sauna has been used to heal, help people relax, and to revitalize both their bodies and their minds.

The sauna has also served as a gathering spot for friends and family to get together and discuss recent events, ideas, and thoughts. In point of fact, certain high-level prominent politicians, such as President Kekkonen of Finland, have been known to discuss significant matters with their own guests while relaxing in a sauna. People take off their clothes and leave their titles and egos at the door when they enter the sauna, so everyone inside is on the same level.

SAUNA AS A HEALER

It is impossible to overstate the benefits that saunas provide to one's health. The use of a sauna will clean the body as well as the skin, and it will also aid to relieve any muscle pain. The use of a sauna has been linked to a variety of positive effects on both the body and the mind.

SAUNA AS A SOCIAL ACT

Although the sauna serves as a location for many Finns to reclaim their own sense of inner equilibrium, quite a few of them also love having a conversation while they are bathing. Even Finland's notoriously quiet citizens are able to strike up a chat with complete strangers when they're in the sauna.

SAUNA AS A TRADITION

In Finland, a sauna session is typically part of the festivities surrounding many significant holidays. It doesn't matter if it's a sauna session during Christmas or one during the celebration of Midsummer, the people of Finland treasure their family traditions of having a sauna before the main celebrations.

Types of the Finnish Sauna

A Wood-burning Classic Finnish Sauna

The experience of a conventional Finnish sauna is not complete without the use of a sauna that burns wood. The preparation time is approximately half an hour. The majority of Finns are so skilled in the art of sauna-making that they can do it with their eyes closed.

This style of sauna is known for its warm temperature and high humidity, and it is the type that is most commonly found in Finnish summer cabins and rural areas.

An Electrically Heated Finnish Sauna

A sauna that is heated electrically is simple to operate, and the atmosphere in such a sauna tends to be brisk and even a little bit austere. Not in the embers of this sauna stove, but in the kitchen where you should be cooking the munchies for the sauna.

In public facilities like hotels, swimming pools, and even some private residences, you can find saunas that are heated electrically. When you live in the city, you are sure to develop a yearning for a sauna, but these can satisfy that craving.

A Finnish Smoke Sauna

In spite of the fact that it is the oldest type of sauna, a smoke sauna is the type of sauna that is used the least frequently in Finland. It is by far my favorite, and I know that other enthusiasts of saunas in Finland feel the same way.

The smoke sauna takes an interminable amount of time to warm up and, if not prepared properly, poses serious health risks. Carbon monoxide can be inhaled, and the building itself can catch fire.

Smoke saunas are quite uncommon despite the fact that many people consider them to be "the" sauna. Despite the fact that they were the predominant types in the past, they are no longer manufactured. Because it takes so much time and effort to get them to the desired temperature, traditional Finnish saunas have fallen out of favor in comparison to other kinds of saunas. In addition, because of their advanced age and lack of moisture, many of them catch fire, despite the fact that they are constructed entirely out of wood; however, from the outside, it is impossible to distinguish if the smoke is coming from the burning sauna or the wood.

In spite of this, smoke saunas possess an alluring allure. The fireplaces do not have chimneys, so the smoke from the stoves is trapped inside the sauna. It is important to ventilate the smoke and clean the benches in the sauna before using it because the benches may have accumulated some soot over time. The embers have caused the rocks to become hot, and it is now time to enter the cave.

However, when you enter into the soothing warmth and darkness of the sauna for the first time, the feeling comes quite near to being religious. The fact that our lake house has a sauna of this kind makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

It is stated that the steam that is produced by this type of sauna is superior due to the fact that it is more gentle.

Sauna in Helsinki

If you are going to be in Helsinki, Loyly, which is a cool sauna venue near the water, is the place to go if you want to try both a wood-burning sauna and a smoke sauna. Make sure to reserve a spot in the sauna in advance!

Visit the Kotiharju sauna in Helsinki if you are interested in taking part in what is thought to be the city's final publicly offered session in a traditional wood-burning sauna. Since 1928, the temperature has been steadily climbing.

The Kulttuurisauna in Helsinki is a little-known jewel of a sauna that provides guests with an experience that is both aesthetically pleasing and profoundly calming, all while removing them from the stresses of modern life. Carefully read the directions that are provided on their homepage.

It doesn't matter where in Finland you go, you won't have trouble finding a public sauna. There are saunas available for use within swimming pools; nonetheless, one should not overlook the specialist sauna places or ice swimming clubs. Make sure you don't miss out on seeing one of the most well-known ones in Helsinki.

Before utilizing a sauna, you should check with your primary care provider if you have any preexisting medical conditions or concerns. If at any point you begin to feel uncomfortable, you must immediately exit the sauna chamber.

Conclusion

Saunas are deeply ingrained in the culture of Finland, with around 5.3 million people living in the country. Wood is used to heat traditional saunas and a rock heater is used to raise the level of humidity. Finns bring their saunas with them wherever they go, and in 1936, a sauna was constructed at the Dobernitz Olympic Village to promote the concept. Saunas in Finland are a common amenity found in public swimming pools and fitness centers, as well as in hotels, vacation resorts, and camping grounds. Traditional saunas used heated pits covered with animal skins and were a paradise around 10,000 years ago.

Finns have used saunas for centuries for therapeutic and restorative purposes, including rest and relaxation, body cleansing, medical care, and religious rites. The Finnish sauna experience involves getting warm, sweating, inhaling lye vapor, whisking it, rinsing off, cooling off, and experiencing a state of ecstatic bliss. Finns typically do not wear any clothing in the sauna, so it is important to stay hydrated and take precautions to prevent dehydration. The Finnish sauna etiquette involves sprinkling water on the stones, taking a rest, cooling down, returning for the next round, and taking a final shower. Finland offers a variety of traditional Finnish saunas, such as pouring water onto a hot stove, wearing a towel, changing into swimwear or towel before entering a mixed-gender public sauna, and having a conversation with a sauna.

Sauna bathing is beneficial for anyone, regardless of age, as it allows for more thorough cleansing and elimination of toxins, improves sleep quality, and provides treatment for a variety of health conditions. The Finnish sauna has been used for many years to heal, relax, and revitalize both bodies and minds, as well as as a social act. Smoke saunas are the least frequently used type of sauna in Finland due to their time and effort to warm up and potential health risks. Electrically heated ones are popular in public facilities and private residences. Smoke saunas have an alluring allure, but it is important to ventilate the smoke and clean benches before using them. Before utilizing a sauna, check with your primary care provider if you have any preexisting medical conditions or concerns.

Content Summary

1. There are around 5.3 million people living in Finland, yet it is estimated that there are 2 million saunas in the country.
2. Both the president and the prime minister are provided the official use of a sauna.
3. Wood is used to heat traditional saunas.
4. Finland – the homeland of the saunaThere were around half a million saunas in Finland in 1938, and there were approximately 1.5 million saunas in Finland in 1990.
5. This represents a threefold increase in the total number of saunas in Finland over the course of the past 50 years.
6. The first saunas were built in more rural areas, but over time, they made their way into more urban settings as well.
7. People are more interested in having their personal saunas constructed into their individual apartments or even bed-sitters, with the bathroom acting as both the washing room and the sauna at the same time.
8. This is helping to bring the concept back into fashion.
9. The Finnish way of life is inconceivable without a sauna.
10. In 1936, a sauna was constructed at the Dobernitz Olympic Village for the purpose of accommodating Finnish athletes who were competing in the Berlin Olympic Games.
11. The design was done in Finland, and the business helped promote the concept of having a sauna in Central European countries.
12. A sauna is a common amenity found in public swimming pools and fitness centers, as well as in hotels, vacation resorts, and camping grounds.
13. Having a sauna is not a perk but a necessity in Finland.
14. The sauna was traditionally located in a separate building.
15. There is a strong cultural resonance between the sauna and Finland.
16. Health, cleanliness, and purity are all encouraged in a sauna.
17. Several of the customs and rituals once associated with the Finnish sauna are still observed today.
18. Sauna for the bride (morsiussauna).
19. Is Finnish sauna good for the physical body only?
20. According to an old proverb, taking a sauna without using a birch whisk is like eating food without adding any salt.
21. How to Use a Finnish Sauna?This is step-by-step advice on how to conduct yourself appropriately in a traditional Finnish sauna.
22. Step 1: heat it up (if it's your job)If you go to a public swimming pool or sauna, the sauna will already be heated up for you.
23. You will need to start a fire in the wood stove of your sauna in order to warm up the stones, and you will need to continue adding more firewood as the fire burns.
24. Have a shower to wash and remove your makeup and perfume out of respect for the people around you as well as for your own safety and well-being.
25. Enjoy yourself.
26. Relax.
27. Step 7: Go outside and cool down.
28. Wait and drink a lot of water.
29. Anyone in Finland is permitted to pour water onto a hot stove.
30. Make use of a towel if you are experiencing feelings of shyness.
31. Always change into your swimwear or towel before entering a mixed-gender public sauna.
32. You can have a conversation with a sauna in Finland.
33. A towel is used for seating in the sauna.
34. It has also been demonstrated that going to the sauna and swimming in the winter is beneficial to one's health.
35. For many years, the Finnish have looked to the sauna as a way to boost their energy levels and improve their overall health.
36. Since it was first invented, the sauna has been used to heal, help people relax, and to revitalize both their bodies and their minds.
37. SAUNA AS A TRADITIONIn Finland, a sauna session is typically part of the festivities surrounding many significant holidays.
38. The experience of a conventional Finnish sauna is not complete without the use of a sauna that burns wood.
39. A Finnish Smoke SaunaIn spite of the fact that it is the oldest type of sauna, a smoke sauna is the type of sauna that is used the least frequently in Finland.
40. Sauna in HelsinkiIf you are going to be in Helsinki, Loyly, which is a cool sauna venue near the water, is the place to go if you want to try both a wood-burning sauna and a smoke sauna.
41. Make sure to reserve a spot in the sauna in advance!Visit the Kotiharju sauna in Helsinki if you are interested in taking part in what is thought to be the city's final publicly offered session in a traditional wood-burning sauna.
42. Before utilizing a sauna, you should check with your primary care provider if you have any preexisting medical conditions or concerns