How to Enjoy a Finnish Sauna

A sauna is a Finnish institution. It is not a luxury, but a necessity. There is one sauna for every three people in Finland, which is roughly one sauna per Finnish family. The sauna is enjoyed for physical and mental health benefits, socializing and relaxing. Read on to learn how to enjoy a Finnish sauna.

Instructions

1. Reserve time for your sauna. A traditional Finnish sauna is a very relaxing experience and generally takes at least an hour or two.

2. Start by bathing. Buckets of hot and cold water, sponges, soap, shampoo and towels should be available outside the main sauna room for washing the body before entering the sauna. Entering the sauna with wet skin is desirable for some, but having dry skin is enjoyed by many too.

3. Place a bench cover or towel on the sauna bench for hygiene reasons. Also, the wood of the sauna bench gets very hot.

4. Add humidity to the air by throwing water on the rocks, increasing the temperature and humidity gradually. A typical sauna temperature should be around 80 to 90 degrees C with a maximum of 100 degrees C. Use a traditional birch branch "vihta" to beat gently against the skin for cleansing and increasing circulation.

5. Remember that a sauna is a sweat bath and you should only stay in as long as it feels comfortable. Step out of the hot sauna to the terrace or porch to cool off occasionally, then go back into the hot sauna again after a brief cooling off.

6. Repeat the sweating and cooling off process as many times as desired. Finnish tradition is to plunge into a cold lake or roll in the snow during the cooling down process.

7. Get clean after your traditional Finnish sauna by washing again with soap and water and rinsing well. The body will be squeaky clean and you will be very relaxed.

8. End your Finnish sauna experience by resting and drinking something refreshing. Get dressed only after you have completely stopped perspiring. Do not be in a hurry to dress or to go anywhere. A Finnish sauna should be a totally relaxing experience.

Tips & Warnings

• A light snack and refreshing drink are the perfect ending to a relaxing Finnish sauna.

• Avoid overeating or drinking anything alcoholic before and during the sauna.