Sauna folklore

Health Benefits of the Sauna

Improved health:

  • Cardiovascular system A 25-year study conducted with more than 2,300 participants at the University of Eastern Finland by Dr. Jari Laukkanen revealed regular sauna use improved cardiovascular health and contributed to a healthier, stronger heart.

  • Improved immune system - German sauna medical research shows that saunas were able to significantly reduce the incidences of colds and influenza among study participants. As the body is exposed to the heat of a sauna and steam it produces white blood cells more rapidly, which in turn helps to fight illnesses and helps to kill viruses. In addition, saunas can relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of sinus congestion from colds or allergies.

  • Improved skin quality - Heat bathing is one of the oldest beauty and/or health strategies in terms of cleansing one’s skin. When the body begins to produce sweat via deep sweating, the skin is then cleansed and dead skin cells are replaced - keeping your skin in good working condition.

Better recovery post exercise

  • Saunas relax muscles and soothe aches and pains in both muscles and joints. The high-heat provided by a sauna allows the body to release endorphins which can minimize pain. As the body temperature rises in the heat of the sauna, blood vessels dilate allowing for increased blood circulation, which in turn speeds the body’s natural healing process.

  • The heat of a Sauna reduces muscle tension and eliminates lactic acid and other toxins that may be present.

Flushing of toxins

  • Deep sweating in a sauna can help reduce levels of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury and chemicals - which are all toxins commonly absorbed just from interacting with our daily environments.

Stress relief

  • The heat in the sauna helps us to relax and regulates the level of cortisol in our blood. Cortisol is the hormone that is released when we’re stressed. Sauna bathing reduces the levels of cortisol in our blood, and instead it stimulates the production of serotonin. Serotonin is our “happy hormone” that makes us feel good.

Brain Health

Dr. Jari Laukkanen’s study revealed regular sauna use (4-7 times per week) at 176 degrees F for 19 minutes lowered the risk for both Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association includes sweating as an important way to improve brain health: https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/10_ways_to_love_your_brain

Improved sleep

  • Research has shown that a deeper, more relaxed sleep can result from sauna use.

Harnessing community

  • The sauna can be a private, personal area of relaxation and solitude. However, it can just as easily be a relaxing environment for socializing with family, friends and soon-to-be friends. The sauna room environment is conducive to open, intimate and quiet conversation.

Löyly

  • The Finnish word ´löyly´ is the name for the evaporating hot steam that rises from the hot stones after water has been carefully thrown on top of them. It is precisely this löyly that turns sauna space into hot and humid paradise, capable of slowly relaxing even the most tense muscles and worried minds.

  • Traditional finish beliefs credit löyly as being the life force of any living thing and if it is lost, one ceases to live. In finnish tradition, this idea of life force is anthropomorphically extended to saunas as well, so when water is poured onto stones, what rises up is the life force of sauna itself, the healing löyly of gods, which is often called the "sweat of Väinämöinen". Väinämöinen is one of the three creator gods of ancient Finish mythology, a wise and old shaman-like figure.

  • At Sauna Craft we full understand the importance of löyly in the Sauna and all our Saunas are fully designed to both create and harness the positive effects the löyly gives off.

Saunas as holy places

  • Saunas are considered to be holy and sacred places.

  • Spirit of Loly was considered to be the connection with the underworld.

  • Finnish culture believes every sauna holds a spirit that watches over the family and those who frequent

Saunatonttu - The sauna elf

  • The sauna elf is a small human-like creature who usually baths in the last steams of sauna after people.