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Coronavirus and what to do in the sauna during the pandemic

21/04/2020

SARS CoV-2 virus or COVID-19, or simply coronavirus is the most talked about topic worldwide right now. Not much is known about coronavirus, or how it will evolve in the future.

Does coronavirus die in the sauna?

Should you take a sauna if you suspect having caught coronavirus?

Can I take a sauna when I am sick?

What to do in the sauna during the coronavirus pandemic?

All of these questions are answered in this article called “coronavirus and what to do in a sauna during the pandemic”. If you have any comments, questions or information you would like to share, feel free to contact me. I promise to do my best to find answers to your questions and share them here on my blog.

Coronavirus and what to do in the sauna during the pandemic

The internet is full of articles, blogposts and information about the coronavirus and sauna. Sadly, from what I have seen, a great deal of it is misleading and potentially harmful.

In this article, I aim to provide my readers with the most accurate information available at the moment. I would still like to remind you that things might change rapidly and there aren’t any long-term scientific studies about the topic yet.

For this article, I got a chance to interview a doctor from the Helsinki University Hospital. It was a great help, so thank you very much!

At the end of this article, I also listed some nice and relaxing things you can do in your own sauna.

At present, public saunas and spas are closed both in Finland and here in Germany (and in many other parts of the world). In Finland, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has given out an order that prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people.

Read more: Coronavirus COVID-19 (Finnish)

A 2002 study by VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland) found that most microbes die at a temperature of 50-60 degrees in a few minutes. We cannot say for sure if coronavirus dies at this temperature, as no studies have been carried out yet.

Read more: VTT research (Finnish)

Does coronavirus die in the sauna?

There is no evidence that taking a sauna after being exposed to the virus helps prevent infection. The virus is transmitted through the air as an aerosol and enters the body mainly through lung cells.

The virus must be in or on your body for the infection to progress. Taking a sauna after exposure does nothing to prevent the infection.

Whether exposure leads to infection or not, has nothing to do with taking or not taking a sauna. The temperature in the sauna is hot enough to possibly kill the virus, but our body temperature stays the same even when we are in the sauna. Body temperature of 50-60 degrees would be fatal. In other words: you would first have to kill the body in order to kill the virus inside it.

Your best bet is to properly wash yourself using soap. The virus does probably not live long on sauna benches (due to the high temperature) but the shower rooms are trickier in terms of temperature and humidity.

As we are trying to slow down the spreading process, it is crucial to keep contact with other people to a minimum. Consequently, public saunas should stay closed.

Most Finns (and people in general) have a bath or a shower at home, so it is not necessary to use public saunas.

You should always act as if you were infected in order to protect others.

This advice was given by an expert from the University Hospital.

Can I take a sauna when I am sick?

As a rule of thumb, you should not take a sauna if you have fever or you suffer from muscle ache. If your symptoms are very mild, for example a runny nose or a light cough, then you can take a sauna, as long as it feels good.

You should always listen to your own body. Never do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, do not stay in the sauna for too long and leave if you start feeling any worse. When cooling off, make sure you do not get exposed to the cold. Linked below, is a Finnish article about the topic.

What to do in the sauna during the pandemic?

Now, let’s say you are feeling fit and you have your own sauna at home. This is the time to enjoy your sauna and its many health benefits.

Focus on yourself and enjoy the warmth of the sauna. Sauna is scientifically proven to lower high blood pressure and reduce the symptoms of stress. I would even argue that taking a sauna helps with coronavirus-related anxiety better than any other means of relaxation.

Read more: Sauna health benefits

A few tips on what to do in the sauna during the pandemic:

Body and face scrubs
Face masks
Hair masks
Footbaths
Peat-treatments
Sauna Yoga
Different games with children
Bath Products

You can also order wonderful Finnish sauna products directly from your home and support small entrepreneurs!

Sauna Yoga

Did you know that you can also do yoga in the sauna? You can find great sauna-yoga workouts on YouTube.

Sauna Yoga

Read more: What is SaunaYoga?

Tips for taking a sauna with children

My blogpost gives you tips on taking a sauna with children and how children can enjoy the sauna longer. This is hardly a problem for Finnish children!

Sauna care

As time goes on, you might start feeling like you have nothing to do. You have already cleaned the entire apartment, so why not clean your sauna next? Saunas should be properly cleaned 2-3 times a year.

Read more: How the clean the sauna

And don’t worry if you do not to have any sauna detergents at hand. You can also clean the sauna with products found in your kitchen cabinet. They are great and environmental-friendly.

Read more: How to wash the sauna ecologically – 9 tips (available in Finnish)

I know that it is not necessary to oil the sauna benches, but my blog has instructions on how to do it correctly. Remember that you should only oil a clean sauna.

Read more: How to treat sauna wood with oil

My own experience

I am in a lucky position because we have our own sauna in our basement. I am so grateful for it as all public saunas and spas are closed.

We are used to take a sauna about once a week. Now that the pandemic is on, we take a sauna twice a week. I would love to go to the sauna every night, but somehow, I just do not seem to find the time.

Every time you sit on those sauna benches, you just feel so good. Your mind is clear, and all those coronavirus anxieties go away for a while.

Coronavirus and sauna

The coronavirus is transmitted as a droplet infection and you can get it anywhere. Even on the sauna benches if someone sneezes at you.
After you have an infection, sauna is of no help.
If you are infected and especially if you have a fever, taking a sauna is not recommended.
Sauna does not cure or act as a preventative against COVID-19 virus.
In accordance with general guidelines, it is advisable to avoid saunas in public places.
Go to the sauna only if you are healthy.

If you have a sauna, now it is the time to make the most of it! Why not take a sauna today?

Remember to take care of yourself and others!

Let’s enjoy our own sauna, especially during this pandemic!

My sources:

THL (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) website

Interview with a doctor from the Helsinki University Hospital

5 tips for taking a sauna with a child

14/04/2020

Today’s post delves into the question: can taking a sauna with a child be a relaxing experience for the whole family?

Having a sauna with a child – opportunity or threat? Well, it depends on the situation, the child and your mindset. It can be a great experience, or it can be a total disaster.

And when a disaster strikes, it is not nice for anyone. Not for you or your child.

I have tried to teach my child how to act in the sauna. He knows that you have to stay calm, speak in a soft voice, and that you should not make sudden movements or quarrel.

I strongly believe that children learn by example. And children who are used to taking a sauna with their parents from an early age, are much more experienced and “well-behaved” than children who only take a sauna occasionally.

I experienced this myself with my son’s cousin. He only takes a sauna few times a year. He is a bit livelier than my son anyway, but whilst he is in the sauna, he just cannot stay still at all. Last time, he was constantly going in and out of the sauna and got my son to join him in all sorts of unwanted behavior (things that can be harmful and lead to injuries). My son has never done anything like that before, so he was definitely influenced by his cousin.

Restlessness and going in and out is probably familiar to everyone with small children. Children want to take a shower and then come back to the sauna. That, in my opinion, is perfectly normal and acceptable. A child’s body does not regulate heat like an adult’s does, so it is only natural that they need more breaks.

Too many rules and restrictions take the fun out of anything, so instead of giving out rules, I decided to share my best tips on how to make taking a sauna a pleasant experience for you and your children.

1. Songs

In some Finnish families, singing in the sauna is a taboo. I think that if singing keeps a child calm and happy, then what is the harm in it? Especially steam-throwing songs are fun and very popular with my family and friends.

I remember how my grandfather used to sing to us a one specific sauna song. It was a Finnish song, but you could use any song that you like. Here are some examples:

Löylyä lissää

Sauna on elämän onnea varten, sauna on lahjana jumalatarten.

Löylyä lissää, löylyä lissää, löylyä lissää kiukaaseen! Nakatkaas löylyä lissää, täähän ei tunnu missään! Löylyä lissää, löylyä lissää, löylyä lissää kiukaaseen.

Saunasta kuuluu se vastan hutke, siellä se lähtee seljästä kutke. Löylyä lissää…
Saunassa tehty on kuninkaita, herroja suuria, ruhtinaita. Löylyä lissää…
Saunassa käydään lauantaina, silloin ei arvot ja panssarit paina. Löylyä lissää…
Saunassa siististi kylpeä pittää, tuhmuutta tehdä ei saa siellä mittään! Löylyä lissää…
Saunassa paikat ne pannaan kuntoon, mustaa ei jää edes omatuntoon. Löylyä lissää…
Saunassa ei pidä pittää kiirett’, saunass’ on oltava hiljaa kuin hiiret. Löylyä lissää…
Ei sinun myös pidä nahkaasi polttaa, kiukaalle heittää viinaa ja oltta! Löylyä lissää…
Saunasta löydät paikan sä parhaan, luuletpa tulleesi Eedenin tarhaan. Löylyä lissää…
Siinä on riemua, rauhaa ja rattoo, lauteilla koipes kun nostat sä kattoo’. Löylyä lissää…
Hangata muista sä naapuris selkää, jäähyllä käyntiä myös älä pelkää! Löylyä lissää…

Saunavihdat

1. Lapsoset ketterät kotihaasta

koivusta oksat taittaa.

Noistapa nopsilla käsillänsä

saunahan vihdat laittaa.

:,: Lauteilla saunan kotoisen

taas illalla kylpy maittaa. :,:

2. Pehmyt on lapsista aina vihta,

äiti jos vihtomassa.

Lämpöinen löyly on kotisaunan,

toisin on vierahassa.

:, : Jospahan säilyis äidin lapset

kylmältä maailmassa.:,:

2. Playtime

Playing in the sauna can sound a bit dangerous, but it is actually less scary than it sounds. Here are some fun games children love to play in the sauna:

DONKEY

You need a ball (maybe even a snowball) for this game. You gently pass the ball to someone in the sauna. If they drop the ball, they get a letter. When someone has all the letters of the word donkey, they are out. The person with least letters is the winner.

Mommy Mouse cooks porridge

This is a classic in Finland. It is a poem about a little family of mice. You take your child’s hand in yours and start the poem; first the mommy mouse stirs the porridge (you make small circles with your finger on the child’s palm), then she feed the babies (gently squeeze the fingers one at a time) and she stores the rest (the adult’s fingers run along the arm to child’s armpit and then gives the child a little tickle). You can start the poem again, this time leaving one finger out and continue until only thumb is left.

Rock, paper, scissors

A legendary game that works very well in the sauna.

Simon says

Here, of course, you have to be careful. You should stay seated whilst playing. Clapping your hands, clapping your thighs, closing of the eyes etc. are easy and safe options.

3. Water games

Who doesn’t love water games? Sauna is a great place for having a bit water fun (as long as there is a drain).

Small children can have their bath in the sauna. Just sit them in a little bathtub or a wash basin and let them play.

Make sure you bring a:

Bucket
Scoop
Platter
Little Cup
And some toys

Make sure you dry the sauna properly afterwards!

4. Drawing

If the sauna has a glass door, then you could let your child draw on the door. Steamed glass is the perfect for drawing with your finger.

You can also draw for your child or try to guess what someone else is drawing.

5.Word and letter games

You can play many word games, especially with slightly older children. The time will just fly by. Here some of my favourites:

My ship is loaded with…

A classic game, you can play it in many different ways.

No, yeah, grandpa’s pants

This is a Finnish one. You ask three question (you can ask whatever you want). The answer to the first question is NO, then YES and then Vaarinhousut (granpa’s pants). It is really simple, but children seem to love it.

Chinese whispers

Someone comes up with a long message or a sentence. The sentence is whispered to the next person and who whispers it to the third person, and so on. The last person has to announce the message which is compared to original message. Usually, errors accumulate in the retellings which makes the game really fun.

Remember that you can always come up with your own games, sky is the limit here!

5 tips for having a great sauna with a child:

Songs
Games
Water fun
Drawing
Word games

I hope these 5 tips for taking a sauna with children have been useful. You can and you should try taking a sauna with your child. Of course, always remember to supervise the situation and make sure children know that the sauna stove is hot.

Have a great sauna! And don’t be not be nervous, with a little planning and imagination, taking a sauna can be a great family experience!