Saunas are everywhere in Scandinavia and Finland. Learn about how Scandinavians and Finns use saunas and why they have been an important part of life in Northern Europe.
In the countries of Scandinavia and Finland, saunas were originally places to clean yourself, before the days of running water. The heat is thought to kill bacteria on your body while you sweat the dirt off. In days of yore, since the sauna was traditionally the warmest and most sanitary room (although many countryside saunas are in a separate building from the house), northern Europeans often gave birth in saunas.
What Are Birch Branches For?
People hit themselves with birch branches to improve circulation and enjoy a fresh, woodsy aroma.
Are There Different Types of Saunas?
Electric saunas: Found in apartments or homes in cities. The sauna stove usually takes 30-45 minutes to heat. Many homes have large shower rooms where you can shower before, after, or in between sauna sessions. The heat tends to be drier in an electric sauna than other types of saunas. Fill a bucket with water and bring it in the sauna. Pour some water on the sauna stove to create steam (and more heat).
Wood burning sauna: Usually found outside of cities or residential areas. The sauna stove burns wood, creating pleasant, moist, heat.
Smoke sauna: Also found outside of cities or residential areas. It can take three hours or more to prepare and it has a pleasant, moist, heat. The smoke leaves an ashy residue inside so don't brush against the sauna walls. Because smoke saunas require much time and maintenance, you will not find many of them in use. It is considered by many to be the ultimate sauna experience.
Are There Any Sauna Rituals?
People often go in the sauna three times for about 10 minutes each time. They shower off in between the each sauna, using soap only during the first shower. The break is an opportunity to enjoy a beer and cool off before returning to the sauna. If you are lucky enough to be near a lake, jump in the water for a refreshing swim, any time of year. When lakes are frozen, hardy folk drill a hole in the lake and go for a short swim. If there is no lake, roll in the snow to cool off like a native.
"Others have their homes to go to, to the comfort of their houses,
But my home is in the backwoods, my estate is on the heather,
As my hearth is in the wind, sauna steam is in the rain."
--From the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala
For more go to the sauna discussion or Sauna Like a Northern European.
