Whether you’re a newbie or have experienced sauna before, here are some tips to ensure that you maximize and get the most out of sauna sessions.
1. Stay Hydrated
Since sweating is a part of the process and the air in the sauna is dry, we are losing water in our system. Having a bottle of water and taking sips before and after saunas would help in preventing dehydration.
2. Pick the Right Bench
As heat rises, it is expected that all the heat in the sauna would be mainly in the upper part. Thus it is important to take note that these benches with levels are actually for the people to choose depending on the intensity they want to take on. The rule of thumb is that when the bench is higher, then it’s warmer; when a bench is lower, then it’s cooler. Commonly overlooked by beginners but it’s a good idea to know as starters!
3. Not a Sprint Nor a Marathon
Try not to stay for too short that your body barely felt anything, but also not too long where your body is burning itself. Saunas are multiple round sessions of decent time in the sauna and the cool down. Usually it’s good to spend 5-15 minutes in warming up and cooling down.
4. Leveling Up Your Löyly
Aside from physical features such as pretty pails and ladles, nowadays you can also add herbal scents and oils that make the sauna sessions more aromatic and healing. A tip when you want a “slow burn” type of löyly: you can try pouring the löylyvesi slowly but in a laminar flow to create a more consistent steam that mimics the “slow burn” effect.
5. Enjoy the Silence
Whilst not being very common to a lot of people, Finns usually enjoy the “dead air” or “peace.” Especially in saunas, a space for relaxation. This peace could be enjoyed and respected. It is not only the body that is relaxing but also the mind and spirit. So help your mind and spirit relax by enjoying the peace away from the noise of the world.
Some may know these, and some don’t. But it is a good reminder to always try and maximize your relaxation, to take good care of oneself. Remember to not only nourish the body, but also the mind and spirit as to help a part, we must understand the whole.
