Saunas need a new publicist. Let’s face it, saunas – usually associated with men reading their newspapers in the buff – aren’t exactly top of the cool list in a world of sunrise yoga when it comes to wellness pursuits. Plus, potentially sharing your sweat and expelled breath with strangers is something we’ve been taught to avoid at all costs in the past two years, but baby, it’s cold outside, and, despite the worries, this ancient ritual is on the up. Now that restrictions are relaxing, is it time to get back into the heat?
‘Sweat rituals’ have an historic root that spans the breadth of the globe. But while the rest of the world has long been savvy to the health benefits of saunas, (Finland has three saunas for every five people), in the UK and Ireland, we’re just waking up to their many benefits. From deeper sleep to smoother skin and lither limbs, a new breed of LED saunas offers 360 degree rejuvenation.
While traditional saunas burn wood, new technology harnesses the power of light to create infrared saunas. Using visible and non-visible light wavelengths to create heat, infrared saunas work faster than their traditional counterparts, heating the body from the inside out, by warming your skin tissue, whereas traditional saunas just heat the air. This means the body can flush out toxins like dirt, make-up and pollution more quickly.
Since the waves penetrate the skin more deeply than the heat of a traditional sauna, a small amount of heavy metals and drugs can be sweated out, making this detox popular with wellness fans. The heat also means better blood flow, circulation and production of collagen, giving you a glow.
This new-gen sauna has attracted devotees like Jennifer Aniston, Leonardo DeCaprio, and Oprah’s Dr Oz. On this side of the Atlantic, there is Notting Hill’s Our Wellness, Royale Retreat in Tunbridge Wells, York Hall Day Spa in Bethnal Green, and Olympia Leisure Centre in Belfast where infrared sauna sessions are on offer.
Skin experts say even just one session a week gives your skin an MOT, deep cleaning your pores. Make sure you get all your make-off off first and drink lots of water, then slather on the moisturiser afterwards.
Sweat time can also soothe you and a Finnish study over two decades found that people who went to a sauna four or more times a week were 66% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia than those who went once a week or less. The reason is believed to be a combination of improved circulation and lowered blood pressure.
Another plus is soothing aching muscles as well as sweating out toxin. The heat also releases endorphins which can help you sleep as your muscles relax and tensions ease. Athletes have used saunas for years to loosen tight muscles and counter the build-up of lactic acid.
The increase in heart rate may also have longer-term cardiovascular benefits. If you’re a clean freak, infrared saunas are drier than the traditional type.
And it’s not all sweating in silence. Helsinki boasts a Burger King Sauna where the hot box is attached to the fast-food joint and you’re encouraged to munch fries in 80°C heat while watching a 48 inch TV.
Over in Scotland is The Hot Box sauna in Loch Tay, which has a fully stocked licensed bar, as well as a DJ and karaoke room available to hire for private functions.
Inspired by the hangout saunas in Scandinavia, the owner has created a place to socialise and promote the Danish concept of hygge which is taking pleasure and enjoyment in simple moments.
As it takes around 20 minutes of sitting in a sauna to unlock the health benefits, the idea behind this heated hedonism is to make those often mind-numbing minutes pass faster.