Sauna Journal

Finnish sauna culture, real experiences and the questions people genuinely ask about sauna.

Here we explore rituals, everyday habits, little differences between countries – and sometimes the things that make us smile in the sauna.

AI-generated reconstruction of a cozy yurt with wood stove and guests in Berlin
Five Euros for a Finnish Sauna: An Old Fire Engine and a Mongolian Yurt in Berlin
An old fire engine, a warm Mongolian yurt, icy water, and birch branches: a personal memory from Berlin, around 2016, rediscovered through historical reporting. Read more...
Finnischer Saunaaufguss mit Saunadüften und Birkenzweigen in einer Holzsauna
Sauna Infusions and Fragrances: Which Scents Suit Your Finnish Sauna Ritual?
Birch, eucalyptus, forest or Sisu? Discover Finnish sauna fragrances, their differences and tips for using sauna infusions safely. Read more...
Woman thoughtfully choosing sauna gifts: felt sauna hat, birch whisk, bath brush and skincare products
What Should You Give a Sauna Beginner? And How Do You Choose a Scent?
Not sure what to give someone new to sauna? Find thoughtful ideas, from sauna hats and body care to Finnish birch whisks, soaps and scents. Read more...
Winter Cabin – finnisches Sauna-Geschenkset von SAUNA & TUNES mit Saunaprodukten im Geschenkbox auf grauem Hintergrund
Christmas Gifts for Sauna Lovers: 18 Finnish-Inspired Gift Sets
Explore 18 Finnish-inspired sauna gift sets for Christmas, with scents, care and traditional sauna accessories. Read more...
Four female friends in pink, blue, white and green sauna hats relax with face masks in a warm wooden sauna
Sauna and Hair Care: Small Rituals and the Art of Taking Your Time
How can you protect long hair in the sauna? A journey through Finnish sauna culture, sauna hats, gentle hair care and soothing personal rituals. Read more...
Finnish wooden sauna with rising steam, birch branches, oranges, a lemon and a small bottle of sauna essence in warm evening light
When the Sauna Is Filled with Fragrance: Forests, Memories and Imagination
Scents can stir memories, shape a mood and set our imaginations travelling. Explore sauna fragrances, from Finnish birch to bright citrus, and how to use sauna essences and essential oils... Read more...
Relaxing in the sauna after exercise and training
Sauna After Exercise: A Good Idea, or Better to Wait?
Sauna after exercise sounds inviting, but should you go straight in? Why a cool-down matters, how to approach the heat and what to consider about hydration and recovery. Read more...
Why Do Finns Use Birch Branches in the Sauna?
Why Do Finns Use Birch Branches in the Sauna?
What are vihta and vasta? Discover why Finns use birch branches in the sauna, when the whisks are made and how this distinctive tradition works. Read more...
Wool-felt sauna hat in a Finnish sauna, shielding the head, hair and ears from direct heat
Why Wear a Sauna Hat?
Why wear a wool hat in a hot sauna? Discover what a sauna hat does, how it can shield hair and ears, and why not everyone in Finland wears one. Read more...
Public sauna with several guests, illustrating sauna etiquette, quiet and consideration
What Really Annoys People in a Sauna? The Small Rules of Sauna Etiquette
Can you talk in a sauna? Why are many German saunas textile-free? A relaxed look at phones, open doors, towels, löyly and the small habits that help everyone enjoy the... Read more...
Three people in a sauna with health tracking, a sauna timer and relaxation: a humorous illustration of different sauna cultures
Is Sauna a “Health Hack”? Thoughts Inspired by a Finnish Reddit Post
Is sauna a health hack or simply a place to relax? A Finnish Reddit post sparked our conversation about sauna in China, Germany and Finland, and why even relaxation now... Read more...
Finnish sauna with scales, water and a relaxation area, illustrating sauna and weight loss
Can Sauna Help You Lose Weight?
Why can the scales show less after sauna? Discover the difference between temporary water loss and losing body fat, and why sweating is not a substitute for exercise. Read more...
Finnish sauna beside a winter lake with tea, ginger and a relaxation area, illustrating an article about colds
Can You Go to the Sauna with a Cold?
Can you sauna with a cold? Find out why acute infections, fever and significant symptoms call for a break, and what to consider before returning. Read more...
Finnish lakeside sauna with water, tea, berries and nuts after sauna bathing
What Should You Eat and Drink Before and After Sauna?
What should you eat and drink before and after sauna? A practical look at water, coffee, electrolytes and alcohol, and keeping a sauna evening relaxed. Read more...
Two women in a sauna with swimwear, a towel and a sauna hat, illustrating sauna customs in Germany and Finland
What Do You Wear in a Sauna? Naked, a Towel or Swimwear?
Naked, a towel or swimwear? A practical guide to sauna etiquette in Germany and Finland, with clear answers to the questions first-time visitors may hesitate to ask. Read more...
Finnish sauna beside a winter lake with an ice-bathing area, towel and music
Cold or Warm Shower After Sauna? How People Cool Down in Finland
Cold water, a warm shower, fresh air or an ice dip? Explore Finland’s many ways to cool down after sauna, with lakes, quiet breaks, music and nature. Read more...
What Is a Sauna Aufguss, and What Does Löyly Mean in Finland?
What Is a Sauna Aufguss, and What Does Löyly Mean in Finland?
What is a sauna Aufguss, and what does löyly mean? Discover why water, hot stones and consideration for others lie at the heart of Finnish sauna culture. Read more...
What Should You Bring to the Sauna? Public, Private and Finnish
What Should You Bring to the Sauna? Public, Private and Finnish
What belongs in your sauna bag, and how can a home sauna become a ritual? From towels and sauna hats to löyly, birch, fragrance, body care, music and tea. Read more...
How Often Should You Go to the Sauna?
How Often Should You Go to the Sauna?
How often should you use a sauna? A look at Finnish sauna culture, research and finding a relaxed rhythm without pressure to perform. Read more...
Sauna Diplomacy
Sauna Diplomacy
How did sauna become a setting for Finnish diplomacy? A story of Urho Kekkonen, Tamminiemi, trust and conversations beyond official protocol. Read more...
The Secret of Finnish Sauna Culture
The Secret of Finnish Sauna Culture
Why is sauna in Finland so much more than wellness? A journey through wood, water, löyly and a very special relationship with time. Read more...