Source: Old Zero
Summary
Sauna culture is experiencing a resurgence in the US, with new sauna and bathhouse options popping up in cities like Tulsa and New York. The trend is driven by a growing interest in wellness and social rituals that don’t involve alcohol. Saunas offer a unique combination of physical and emotional benefits, including relaxation, social connection, and a sense of community. In Finland, sauna culture is an integral part of daily life, with public saunas and bathhouses offering a range of experiences, from traditional smoke saunas to modern infrared saunas.
Our Reading
The habit gets a new name. Sauna culture is rebranded as a wellness trend, complete with guided sauna and ice bath experiences. The ritual is reframed as a way to “regulate your nervous system, process emotions and connect meaningfully with other human beings.” Sauna enthusiasts build entire trips around the ancient practice of social bathing. In Helsinki, public saunas are ubiquitous, each with its own tone, style, and scene. The contrast between hot and cold is visceral, almost disorienting. The sauna experience is romanticized as a way to slow down, be present, and let the heat (or cold) do its work.
Author: Evan Null
