The Forest Sauna

This is usually the first question people ask. Closely followed by: “Will I hate it?” The answer to both is reassuringly simple: probably less time than you think. Cold plunging has become popular for good reason. Whether it’s a sea dip on the Dorset coast or stepping into a cold water plunge after a sauna session, many people enjoy the feeling of leaving the water refreshed, awake, and slightly impressed with themselves. But when it comes to how long you should stay in? Long enough to feel...

People often arrive looking for rest. They come carrying busy minds, half-finished thoughts, unanswered emails, conversations still humming in their pockets. They tell themselves they’re here to unwind. And then something else happens. Somewhere between the warmth and the water, ideas begin appearing. Not with fanfare - creativity rarely arrives like that. It arrives quietly. A sentence that finally untangles itself. A solution that had been hiding in plain sight. A painting, a plan, a...

Mention the word sauna and most people immediately think of Finland. Fair enough - they've certainly earned the reputation. But the love of getting wonderfully warm on purpose isn't exclusive to the Finns. Around the world, countries have developed their own traditions, rituals and, in some cases, slightly quirky ways of enjoying a good sweat. Finland: Where It All Began It's no surprise Finland tops the list. With around three million saunas for just over five million people, they are woven...