The Amazing Saunas in Finland

When you visit the country of Finland, you will see so many intriguing things. However, one item that you will think about for a minute is how many saunas are available for use in this country! It is thought that there are between two and three million saunas in Finland alone, so you can find one just about anywhere that you are.  This is definitely different than other countries around the world, because most areas only have a few saunas.  

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These saunas are heated by burning wood in a stove that either allows the smoke to exit through a chimney or one that does not.  The one without a chimney allows some of the smoke to stay inside the sauna and many of the locals prefer those saunas over the others.  Humidity inside the saunas is increased by throwing water on top of the heated rocks inside.  

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Etiquette of Sauna Usage

There are not too many rules when it comes to using the saunas in Finland, but you need to be aware of the ones that you must follow.  First, you must remove all your clothes and shower before entering. Once you do that, you can stay inside the sauna for as long as you wish and then exit and return as many times as you want.  

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Once you are finished relaxing inside a sauna, you must cool your body down.  The best way to do this is to jump into the Arctic Lake for a little swim, but during the winter, you can also roll around in fresh snow.  It is necessary to do this every time that you exit the sauna, as it is the only way that you will feel the maximum results, which includes boosting your immunity.

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Benefits of Using Saunas

Your health is quite important, which is why you need to pay attention to how you feel and do what is necessary to keep yourself in excellent shape.  When you use a sauna in Finland, you will be ensuring that your blood is stimulated and flowing at its maximum rate.  As your body temperature rises, poisonous waste will be excreted from your body in the form of sweat, making you instantly feel better.

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Once your body is cleansed, you should feel rejuvenated and invigorated, as well as ready to tackle anything that comes your way!

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When you use a sauna for the first time, you must be aware that you will not be capable of instantly adjusting to the high temperatures.  Therefore, you will want to start out your sauna experiences slowly.  

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The guidelines that you should be aware of when it comes to heat and the inside temperatures include:

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Low Heat –The temperature inside a low heat sauna is between 122- and 160-degrees Fahrenheit.  This is perfect for beginners and those who are ill.  

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Moderate Heat – The temperature inside a moderate heat sauna is between 180- and 190-degrees Fahrenheit.  This is the temperature that is preferred by many, so you will see many more people in these.

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Extreme Heat– The temperature inside an extreme heat sauna is between 212- and 266-degrees Fahrenheit.  These high temperatures are rarely used, if ever, and are not recommended at all!

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‍Do’s and Don’ts When Using Saunas

A few DO’s that you need to be aware of:

• DO remove your jewelry, watches, and anything with metal, every time you enter the sauna,as it can all get extremely hot.  
• DO take how you feel into account before choosing your sauna temperature for the day.  If you are feeling dizzy, dehydrated, or just off, a lower temperature may be better.
• DO vary your times in the sauna, between mornings and night, as you will notice the difference in how you feel.
• DO take your time in the sauna and return as many times as needed for relaxation.

A few DON’Ts that you need to be aware of:

• DON’T enter a sauna immediately after eating, as you can become ill quickly.  At least an hour is recommended to digest your food.
• DON’T rush through your sauna experience, as you will never receive the full relaxation that you deserve.
• DON’T try to stay in a sauna longer than everyone else. This is not a game, nor a challenge. You can end up with heat stroke or other serious ailments if you choose to extend your time in the sauna for no reason at all.

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Extraordinary Opportunities to Do During Your Sauna Experience

Yes, you can spend hours going back and forth between the sauna and the Arctic Lake, but there is so much more that you can do at the same time.  

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Ranua Zoo & Sauna Experience - Full Day Lapland Tour

There are many zoos around the world, but Ranua Zoo is the only one that is located this far north.  Your experience at this zoo will be dependent on the time of the year that you visit, although you will never miss out on seeing any of the animals, because they adapt to the changing temperatures and elements.  

Approximately fifty different species of animals live at Ranua Zoo, including the only polar bears in Finland.  Your day can be spent watching the arctic fox, lynx, moose, pallas’s cat, reindeer, polar bears, and all the other furry creatures, as they frolic and wander through their natural habitats.  

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Northern Lights & Sauna Tour - Best of Lapland Tour

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is a mesmerizing sight that can only be seen in certain parts of the world.  Finland is one of those locations and it is possible to include this fabulous opportunity with your sauna experience.  Imagine going into a sauna and finishing up in time to take a dip in the lake under the stunning lights in the sky.  

These spectacular dancing lights occur when electrically charged particles that come from the sun enter the atmosphere oft he earth.  There are many colors that can be seen up in the sky, including red, yellow, green, violet, and blue, but pale greens and pinks are the colors that most people will see.  The lights may appear as an arc, shooting rays, a streamer, or a curtain that appears to be blowing in the wind.  

It is best to watch the Northern Lights on a clear evening around midnight, although you can experience it at other times of the night and even slightly cloudy days.

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Midnight Sun and Sauna - Traditional Lappish Evening in the Wilderness, with dinner

The sun in Finland stays out for twenty-four hours during the summer, which is how it makes up for not showing up during the dark winter months. Entering a sauna and then swimming in an Arctic Lake just seems much better during the summer when you can do it under the sun in the middle of the night.