Putting the Spotlight on Saunas 🧖🏿

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Ready to dive in to the latest edition of Origins of Wellness? Through this series, we’ve uncovered the history behind today’s hottest wellness trends. So far I’ve researched Ayurvedic beauty, matcha, and cold plunges. According to your feedback, this is what you wanted to learn about next:

Saunas it is! And this topic is timely, coming after last month’s focus on cold plunges. These two practices go hand in hand, especially as contrast therapy studios pop up in every major city.

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Saunas

Areas of origin: Saunas are primarily associated with Finnish culture, but according to the BBC, sweat lodges were also prominent in the ancient Islamic world and indigenous communities around Central and North America.

Date of origin: Saunas date back approximately 10,000 years.

Original use: Historically, saunas actually served multiple purposes. Yes, they were used for healing—a place for relaxation or for the sick to overcome their ailments. But many cultures also placed heated stones within pits, cottages, and small lodges as places to cook, pray, give birth, or cleanse the dead before burial.

These ancient practices were rooted in benefits that scientific research has only recently confirmed. In addition to reducing stress, research shows that saunas have a host of other benefits, including:

The modern-day sauna: Instead of still heating stones with fire, many saunas began to function with electrical heaters by the early 20th century. But not everything has changed: saunas are still deeply-engrained within Finnish culture. According to National Geographic, almost 90% of Finns use a sauna at least once a week and many own a private sauna within their residence.

It’s important to note that there’s also two types of saunas that are popularized today:

Saunas expanded much more globally in the second half of the 20th century, making them a mainstay in gyms and wellness centers. And now with the boom of cold plunges due to “bio-hacking” culture, saunas are an important component of contrast therapy that’s taking over the wellness scene.

That’s all I have for this month’s edition of Origins of Wellness. Have you used saunas and what’s your preference? Enjoying the heat by itself, or used for contrast therapy?

While you ponder, make sure to cast your vote for the next topic of Origins of Wellness.

See you back here next week for a unique Community Voices Q&A: a recap of a local event I attended with one of Instagram’s favorite therapists.

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