LAFA Experiences: SAUNA!

Sauna is a huge part of Finnish culture!
I do not know many Finns that don't use sauna at all or dislike it completely - it's extremely rare at least!

The only experience I had with a sauna (prior to moving to Finland) was at the local swimming hall back in Nova Scotia - where you do keep your bathing suit on - it was open for anyone to use - and you were prohibited from splashing water onto the rocks!
Which every time I tell a Finn this - they laugh uncontrollably.

My first Finnish sauna experience dates back to 2009 after having my first son and I was very shy because I don't think I had a bathing suit that would fit and who in the world goes into a room to sweat while being naked with people you barely know?!

Apparently I do - along with millions of Finns and non-Finns alike - you learn to adapt.

So here are the bare basics about going to sauna with your friends in Finland:

1. You go totally naked - bring a sauna towel (size of a hand towel typically) to sit on and that's it.  
1. If it's the case of a mixed genders and open public sauna - then yes, you wear a bathing suit if it says so.
1. For example I have been to the public Smoke sauna at Kuusijärvi and we had to wear bathing suits. 
2. I have never once been made fun of or gawked at because of my figure or shape.
   While nudity is considered borderline shameful in other countries - in a sauna - it puts you all on even ground and frankly, nobody gives a crap what you look like - as long as you are clean, enjoy yourself and relax.
3. Plus a lot of Finns wear glasses or contacts - so most likely, they can't see much of you at all!  😂
2. Shower before entering the sauna - usually you'll rinse yourself before going into the sauna and have a cool down or a quick rinse in between your sauna session.  You should shower properly after sauna as well.
1. So bring your shampoo or body wash and lotion if needed!
3. Bring something cold to drink with you.  I always have a water bottle but of course - a proper Finnish sauna includes booze of some kind to cool you down!
1. It is easy to get dehydrated in the sauna - so definitely bring a drink with you!
4. If you've been invited to someone's home and they tell you there will be sauna - be sure to bring your own towel, shower stuff and change of clothes or underwear at least!
5. Swimming halls, spas and hotels in Finland typically have saunas as well.  There can be a variety - even a private sauna in the hotel room if available!
6. There are a variety of different kinds of sauna:
1. Electric sauna is the most common - especially in apartment building complexes.
2. Wood sauna is very common in stand alone houses and at cottages as well.
3. Smoke sauna is not so common but a very different and cleansing experience!
7. Almost all apartment buildings in Finland have a sauna.
1. Either you have one in your own flat - lucky you!
   
   or
2.  You have one in your building and you can either go during the open community times - usually gender-based, for example: Women from 9-10 and Men from 11-12 - or you might have your own private time slot every week.

• Your rent will have an additional sauna fee should you wish to register for your own sauna time slot.
8. To make the sauna hotter:  you can turn up the stove on an electric type of sauna or splash water on the stones.   
9. If you have asthma like I do - it's also wise to bring your asthma meds with you just in case.
1. I also recommend sitting on a lower level or not as close to the sauna stove to reduce your chances of an asthma attack.
1. I find wood and smoke saunas easier to breathe in compared to electric ones - it also depends how much water you splash on the stones.
10. Yes ladies you can sauna while on your period - just use a menstrual cup or tampon and sit on a sauna towel accordingly.
11. When you leave the sauna - you should rinse the benches by splashing water on them and splashing water on the stove (don't forget to shut it off).
12. Remove your contacts or eye glasses before going into sauna - the contacts could cause irritation and you won't be able to see with glasses on anyway.
13. Don't bring your phone into the sauna - it's just common sense.  Leave it out in the shower or change room area.

Photo by "Pori Guy" aka PG.

The history of sauna goes wayyyy back - women used to give birth in a sauna, especially those living in the countryside without close access to a hospital because it was the most cleanest place to give birth!

It was my birthday - and I was at Havumäki Ranch & figured why not?
Photo by M.

Other fun things to know about the sauna:

1. It is totally normal to go outside (usually with a towel on) to cool down from a sauna.  
1. Yes, even in winter and in the snow!
2. It is also totally normal to roll in snow then rush back into the sauna or take it up a notch - if available of course - and swim in a lake in the winter time.
3. It is also socially acceptable to sauna daily after a long day at work.
4. Many Finns sauna all year long - including the summer months - with or without a lake to jump in.
5. Do not wear pure gold jewelry into the sauna - it'll melt and leave you with nasty burn marks.
1. Yes that's coming from experience... not sure what other jewelry could melt but at least - pure gold stuff is not recommended.
6. It sounds crazy but it is also perfectly normal to be beaten with a bundle of birch branches to increase the blood circulation in your body and to have the "ULTIMATE FINNISH SAUNA EXPERIENCE!"  
1. aka a "vihta" - if not made by hand from your Finnish host - you can buy them frozen in the grocery store.
2. I was advised it's best to dip in the bucket of water, toast them above the stove and then smack yourself silly with them.
7. It is pronounced "sou (like "sour") - na" - not like the way you've grown up hearing it as "saw-na".
8. A lot of people use their sauna as storage...yeah I wouldn't but some people just don't use their sauna much!
9. Children generally go into sauna as young as 1-year old, usually sitting in a tub of water at the bottom.
10. In case you're wondering - do people have sex in the sauna? - some do and some won't.  Mostly so people don't pass out from the extreme heat.
11. When I was close to giving birth - all my Finnish friends recommended the "3-S's: Sex, Siivous (cleaning) & Sauna" to encourage getting labour going.
12. Finns love sauna so much that there was a collection of postage stamps dedicated to the sauna culture back in 2009!

And there you have it - a crash course in sauna.

Photo by PG.

LAFA