If you have ever taken a sauna, chances are you will have experienced many of the same things I have experienced while taking a sauna. From lighting the stove, stoking it, sitting in the sauna, and the cool down. With a great friend of mine, I took a sauna last night in his newly finished outdoor sauna which was incredibly hot. There is such a sense of pride in most Finlanders when they finally get their own outdoor sauna built. Learning how to get it to a temp you like, how and when to throw steam, how to best wash up, and the like. Saunas are great for many things and today I will write about my experiences and the reasons I can not live without a sauna.
Childhood memories-
I have many childhood memories of taking saunas but I have a couple that stand out. The greatest sauna I have ever been in is my grandparents(now parents) sauna at the farm in Northern Michigan. For some reason, that sauna continually has the perfect humidity, heat, steam off the stove for my liking. Growing up, whenever we were visiting my grandparents, it was the highlight of every day and afterwards we got a glass of Vernor’s. Now if you have never had a glass of Vernor’s after sauna, you have no idea what you are missing out on. Simply the best. The other was sitting in the sauna countless Saturday evenings and listening to A Prairie Home Companion on the radio. There was something very enjoyable about taking a sauna and listening to Garrison Keillor spin his wonderful tales of Lake Wobegon.
Stress Reliever-
One of the most important and awesome facts about a sauna is the fact that they are well known to relieve the stress of the day/week when taken. The heat of the stove, heat of the bench and walls, and the crispness of the steam hitting your head and shoulders off the ceiling is a feeling you can only experience by taking a sauna. It seems to melt the days issues away. I enjoy taking sauna with my brothers, friends, wife, and a lot of times, by myself. With others, a person feels more open to discuss issues that are plaguing the day or week and when by yourself, it is a great time to reflect on everything that is going on. A sauna helps bring a lot of clarity to my thoughts and helps me fall asleep at night a lot better than a shower ever could. It is my go-to for a stressful day no matter what season of the year it is. 30 below outside in January or 95 in mid-July. Feels just as good for me no matter what.
How I Like My Sauna-
I like a hot sauna, mine typically runs right around 190 degrees Fahrenheit, and with a lot of steam. My father in law likes a more moderate temperature, one that he can read is book in and not soak the book in sweat. My dads sauna is a high humidity sauna which really makes a person sweat and feel completely relaxed when finished. I was lucky and the house we bought had an outdoor sauna built in a gazebo, which I love. My dream is to also have an indoor sauna that I can set the timer on to have ready when I get home from boot hockey or whatever I am doing in the evening. Some like bright lights in the sauna, some prefer dim lights. I like a dim light below the bench. Helps set a relaxing mood. I have two freeze-less hydrants in my sauna while others have showers, and others yet bring buckets of water for washing up. I have curved benches that fit a rear end well and a foot rest to kick up the heels. Most people have things that they truly enjoy about their own sauna, and things they would change if they ever get to build another.
If I did not have a sauna myself, I would definitely be visiting someone every week to make sure and take one as I do not like to go to long without taking a sauna. And if you are a regular sauna person like me, you have probably had the debate with others of which is better, the heating up or the cooling down on a crisp day. For me it is an open debate with no correct answer. A sauna is great for your health, immune system, heart, and stress relief. For these reasons and more, I will continue to enjoy my sauna and any that I take in my life. Except a cold sauna or a waterless sauna at a hotel, those are just plain miserable.
Day 18 of the Whole 30 and going strong. Stomach is feeling much better and I still love eggs and meat and potatoes. Lost 12 pounds as well, though I didn’t need to lose much, though I feel like I am eating a ton of food.
