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Finnish Sauna Etiquette
All About Finnish Sauna Etiquette
If you are interested in saunas at all, it is interesting to
learn a bit about Finnish sauna etiquette.
Finland is the sauna capital of the world, both because it was invented there
and because it thrives as an integrated part of the Finnish lifestyle. Finns
think of the Finnish sauna in the same way that other cultures think of
meditation, massage, bathing in hot springs or any other tradition of body and
mind relaxation.
The home sauna is practically the Finnish national pastime, and the per capita number
of steam saunas in the nation is astounding to many visitors from other
countries. By some estimates, there are over two million saunas in Finland, with
a total population of around five million. Finnish saunas are practically
everywhere and are considered by most Finns as a necessity rather than a luxury.
In a country that is so rich with sauna tradition and lifestyle, it is
inevitable that there exists an accepted etiquette to sauna bathing, along with
many customs that are uniquely Finnish. Let’s take a closer look at what it
means to sauna in authentic Finnish style.
The Sauna Process
There is no one right way to bathe in the sauna. The sauna process is as varied
and wide ranging as people themselves, so beyond some basic guidelines it is up
to you to determine what process works best for you.
Shower - The first step is to take off your clothes and take a cleansing
shower before entering the sauna. To new bathers this sometimes seems a bit
silly – after all, aren’t they going to get all sweaty in the sauna anyway? The
purpose of the initial shower, though, is to cleanse your body of dirt so that
the sauna itself stays cleaner.
Take a seat - Upon entering the sauna, experienced bathers usually take a
seat on an upper bench where the heat is most intense. It is perfectly
acceptable, though, to select a lower bench if you prefer a lower temperature.
Soak up the heat – Once you are settled in, relax and let the heat
saturate your body. Take even, relaxed breaths as the pores of your skin open
and the sweat begins to flow. If you want to add some moisture to the air throw
some water on the stones, but remember that the resulting steam will make the
air in the sauna feel even hotter. Some people like to move between upper and
lower benches several times, taking advantage of the difference in temperature
between the two levels.
The amount of time you actually spend in the sauna will depend on your own
preferences and sauna experience. Those who are new to bathing may spend five to
ten minutes at a time, while others who are more accustomed to sauna use may
spend twenty to twenty-five minutes at a time. If at any point you feel weak,
dizzy or nauseous you should exit the sauna immediately.
Take a break, rinse, and repeat – When you are ready for a break, step
out of the sauna and cool down. Many people like to take another shower, drink
some water, or otherwise refresh themselves in the relative cool of the dressing
room. When you are ready for more heat simply step back into the sauna. You can
repeat these steps as many times as you like; experienced bathers often make
three, four, or more trips into the heat before stepping out for the final time.
Shower and final cool down – When you are finally done with your Finnish
sauna, take another shower to wash away the sweat and let yourself cool down
completely. You should be cool and dry before getting dressed, and should follow
your sauna with fluids to re-hydrate yourself and perhaps a meal if you are
hungry.
What You Need to Take
In a traditional Finnish sauna, the most important thing you need to take along
is time. The sauna is all about relaxing, and doing that properly cannot be
rushed. Most people like to take a small towel into the sauna itself so they can
sit on it; this helps improve the hygiene of the sauna and also protects from
benches that can be extremely hot. After you are finished, you will probably
like a soft bathrobe to wear while cooling down and some lotion to moisturize
your skin and prevent it from drying out.
Sauna Etiquette
Whether you sauna in your local health club or travel to Finland for a truly
authentic experience, there are some general rules of Finnish sauna etiquette
that should be followed:
- Shower first
- Use a towel on the bench
- Don’t compete to see who can stay in the longest or withstand the highest
temperatures
- Relax, socialize, and enjoy the company of others
- Do not interpret the nude sauna as a sexual or erotic thing, because it’s not
Next > Finnish
Sauna Customs
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