10 SAUNA TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

What are you supposed to do in a Finnish sauna – and what not? To help you on your way, we have compiled a list of useful tips. Of course, there are no strict rules. If you are unsure

about something, just ask. The most important thing is to relax and enjoy the company.

1. Saunas are good for just about everyone. According to an old Finnish proverb, “If sauna, liquor and tar don’t help, the disease is probably fatal.”

2. Inviting someone to your sauna is a mark of respect, and the Finnish sauna ritual includes socialising and getting to know other people. It’s claimed that many pivotal decisions in Finnish political and business life have been made in the sauna.

3. Although saunas involve nudity, this has nothing to do with sex. The sauna is for cleansing and relaxing.

4. Finns prefer to take saunas completely naked, even among strangers. This is no big deal. Nudity is natural, and you shouldn’t be ashamed of your own body. Still, if you prefer to wear a swimsuit or towel, that’s your prerogative.

5. Women and men usually take saunas separately, except for families. Saunas that are open to the public usually have separate times for women and men, or you can agree together with your fellow sauna-goers who should go first. If you’re in a mixed sauna together with strangers, you may be asked to wear a swimsuit or towel – or you may choose to do so simply for the sake of propriety.

6. Garish lights, aromatic fragrances and relaxing music are a no-no, at least according to traditionalists. Authentic Finnish saunas should be dark and silent and smell only of fresh birch leaves and tar.

7. Saunas are heated up using a stove to heat up rocks and humidity is added by throwing water over the hot rocks, creating a soothing and sometimes exhilarating heat wave that is referred to in Finnish as a “löyly” [low-lew]. The heat of the sauna is usually kept between 75 and 85 °C and can be adjusted by tending to the fire (or adjusting the ther-mostat if it’s electric).

8. You can throw water over the rocks whenever you feel like it. If you think the sauna is too hot already, feel free to voice your opinion to fellow sauna-goers. It’s quite normal to take regular breaks to cool down and prolong the sauna experience.

9. Finns like to stimulate the blood flow and create a pleasant scent by whipping themselves with a whisk made of fresh birch branches. It may look like self-flagellation, but it’s really quite pleasant! Sauna whisks are particularly popular at summer cottages in the country-side where birch branches are readily available.

10. Remember to keep yourself hydrated! The most popular sauna beverages are beer, cider and soft drinks - and of course (tap) water.