Myths about the Finnish sauna

I have heard many “facts” about the Finnish sauna over the years. I decided to address them in today’s article called “Myths About the Finnish Sauna”. Have you encountered these myths before? Perhaps you have heard that Finns like to take a sauna in a 90-degree, dry sauna?

Does that sound familiar?

Myths about the Finnish sauna

I’ve lived in Germany for a good ten years now and during that time I’ve heard many statements about Finland, Finns, and the Finnish sauna. Germans and other compatriots often have misguided ideas about how we Finns enjoy the sauna.

My Finnish blog “Sauna maailmalla” was created because I wanted to fight against this misinformation. I wanted to set straight the fake news that are spread about the Finnish sauna. Now, my blog is also available in English (“World of Sauna”) and German (“World of Sauna”). If you ever come across any of the myths I address in this article, please share this article. That helps me to spread the right message about the Finnish sauna culture.

That being said, a warm welcome to my post about the common myths about the Finnish sauna!

Finns like dry saunas

I hear this argument almost every week: “Finns love a dry sauna.” Frankly, that’s not true at all. We love a “good steam”.

90 °C sauna

I also often come across the assumption that people in Finland heat their sauna to 90 degrees. In combination with the assumption about the preferred dryness, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. So, I try to educate people one person and blog post at a time. But I must admit, sometimes it seems a hopeless task.

Part of the misconception seems to come from the German sauna culture. In thermal baths and spas, there is often a sauna that is called an “old Finnish sauna”. It is dry and heated to 90 °C. So, I get it. How are the Germans supposed to know that Finns really don’t prefer dry and/or 90 °C hot saunas? Many have never seen a real Finnish sauna.

Sauna is dangerous!

Some people assume that a sauna is a dangerous place. It is built of wood; the stove is heated with wood or works with electricity. And then you throw water on the electric stove – under no circumstances can that be safe, right? A wood-burning stove also harbours a constant potential for danger. After all, the fire could leap out at any time and burn everything down!

I assure you, an authentic, professionally built Finnish sauna is very safe to use.

The smoke sauna is of course a different matter. You can and should exercise a little caution here, especially if you are not trained to use it properly.

The 15-minute rule

There is a belief that you should stay in the sauna for 15 minutes at a time. No more and no less. I always try to bring the Finnish point of view to the discussion and say: “Stay as long as you want and as long as it feels good.” You don’t have to have a sauna with a stopwatch.

You simply leave the sauna when you’ve had enough – whether that is after five or 40 minutes.

Especially here in Germany, you can’t really stress this point enough. Here people plan their sauna sessions according to the hourglass and not according to their own well-being. In fact, there are several hourglasses hanging in a sauna so that as many people as possible can use their own.

Sauna is super healthy!

That’s correct. But if I only take a sauna once a month, or even once a week, it is not enough to achieve all the health-promoting effects. According to studies, you should stay in the sauna for 20 minutes every day. However, already four times a week reduces the risk of developing dementia, for example. The Finnish sauna can also have a supportive effect on the heart. It can also prevent and help with circulatory diseases or chronic diseases such as asthma or rheumatism.

Read more: Sauna health benefits

You should only go to the sauna three times

German sauna rules state that you can only go into the sauna three times during one sauna session. Why? I have no idea where this assumption comes from. Of course, you can go in and out of the sauna as often as you like. Maybe they wanted to regulate the number of visitors in a thermal bath with this strange rule?

Children are not allowed in the sauna

In many countries, children and young people are not allowed to visit a sauna at a thermal bath. I do not know whether the assumption that this is harmful to health is used as an argument. Maybe the adults just want to have a sauna in peace? The age limit differs from country to country and varies from 12 to 18 years. In Finland, children are allowed in saunas.

Read more: Can you go to sauna with children

Pregnant women are not allowed in the sauna

This is an old misconception that I also encountered when I was pregnant. Some people looked in disbelief when I entered the sauna with my big belly. Some people said that they accepted my choice because I’m from Finland and I’m “used to it”. I think I would have had more negative experiences if I were German…

An infrared sauna is healthier

There is no evidence that an infrared sauna is healthier than a Finnish sauna. The Finnish sauna has been thoroughly researched in recent years and its health benefits are undisputed. The infrared sauna is a relatively new invention and less is known about its effects. Little research has been done so far.

Dry heat is dangerous for your health

Many believe that the heat of a dry sauna is dangerous. I’ve never read anything that supports this theory. What do you think about that? Does this statement sound familiar to you?

You should not take a sauna if you’re sick

This is partly true. It is not recommended to take a sauna if you are feverish. But if you have a small cold, runny nose or cough and your general well-being is otherwise fine, then nothing stands in the way! But of course, you should take care of yourself and leave the sauna immediately if you feel worse.

And? Did I address any myths you have heard or believed? If yes, which? Or have you come across other assumptions? I look forward to hearing about your experiences! Feel free to share your experiences in the comments.

Love,

Sauna-Kati