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Finnish Sauna as the Secret Source of Relation and Longevity
In just a couple of years people around world have become curious about Finnish sauna, as solid scientific research has revealed many amazing facts about its effects. People who do sauna frequently seem to live longer and healthier, enjoying a decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality, hypertension, stroke, and dementia. What is this mysterious source of health that UNESCO has considered as humanity’s key cultural heritage since 2020?
Finland is a home to a tradition that spans centuries. Several 20th century innovation enabled Finns to build an unparalleled sauna infrastructure mostly consisting of small home saunas. The private saunas are moderate sized hot rooms, commonly co-located with the home spa, or making up for one in combination with a wash room. Their interior design follows latest trends, but the saunas remain recognizable because of the prominence of high benches and a heater.
The sauna heater plays a key role in warming up the room to a temperature of 70ºC or more and allowing the bathers to “evoke löyly” or wake the spirit of sauna by creating steam. Most Finns don’t find it hard to clock total half an hour in the sauna which is suggested to maximize the health benefits.
“You go into sauna sometimes stressed, tense and rigid. You leave relaxed, feeling at ease, and refreshed – ready for day’s toil or good night of sound sleep”
There is no reason to prevent you building one anywhere in the world. It is easiest around Europe, as authentic Finnish saunas and their supplies can be transported from the northern origin to destinations such as Albania. Getting the design right is tricky though. I have spent years guiding Finnish sauna constructors and designers into the craft at his digital publication Saunologia.fi. I have also helped builders near and to perfect their saunas. My upcoming book, The Secrets of Finnish Sauna Design, will reveal the design principles to international audiences in May 2021.
Building a Finnish style sauna room and equipping it is doable anywhere with a reasonable investment. But many small details require attention, and the designer must understand the fundamental sauna physics to succeed.
In his book, Liikkanen presents sauna design as a task of balancing three factors: heat, air quality, and interior design. He is happy to see saunas take many forms, as long as the constrains of function are obeyed in the design.
• Saunalogist and author of the upcoming book “The Secrets of Finnish Sauna Design”, published on 29th April 2021.
