Saunas are more than just a small wooden room that makes you hot and sweaty. It’s a tradition, a ritual, and for many people it is a way of life. If you haven’t dropped a single sweat in a sauna room yet, then this guide is for you.

Step 1: Understanding what is, and what is not a sauna

Not all rooms are saunas. Some are spas, hammams, onsens, and steam rooms that are usually mistaken for saunas but they are very different. A traditional finnish sauna uses a stove that heats up stones, and water is then poured over to create steam.

Step 2: Preparing for the First Round

Before stepping inside, it is important to shower first. This is both for hygiene and respecting others in the sauna. Usually in public saunas, people wear swimsuits or swimwear. In other cases, some expect you to only wear a towel or even go nude, but these are usually cases in private saunas. Thus it’s important to check the etiquette of the place you’re visiting and dress accordingly.

Step 3: Inside the Sauna

When entering, you will notice that there are different levels/tiers of benches. It is important to know that lower benches are usually cooler and good for beginners and higher benches are hotter for those who want some intensity. Its good to start slow and let your body adjust. Usually there’s a bucket of water and ladle where you can try pouring some water over the hot stones to create some steam.

Step 4: Cooling Down

After a couple of minutes,or depending on when you feel ready. Step out and cool down. Some methods could be by dipping in the lake or in an ice bath, or if not available then a cold shower will do the trick as well! This contrast will help in improving circulation throughout the body.

Step 5: Finding your Pace

Sauna sessions don’t end after 1 round of sauna and cool down. As a beginner, try to start with short laps and as you go along, you can adjust according to how your body responds. People usually go for a couple of rounds before ending the session so its not about staying inside for very long. It’s about multiple cycles of warming up and cooling down that helps the body relax and enjoy.

Saunas are surely relaxing and healthily beneficial. To some, these are special moments, and to some these are their way of life. Bottom line is, they are there to help them unwind and enjoy the benefits of life.