Finland is the happiest country in the world, according to the newest World Happiness Report: NEW YORK, March 20 – As in 2018, Finland again takes the top spot as the happiest country in the world according to three years of surveys taken by Gallup from 2016-2018. Rounding out the rest of the top ten are countries that have consistently ranked among the happiest. They are in order: Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, New Zealand, Canada and Austria. The US ranked 19th dropping one spot from last year."World Happiness Report, 2019 Three (happy) cheers for Finland!: a land with 3.3 million saunas and 5 million people. However, The New York Times article "Want to Be Happy? Try Moving to Finland" suggests … [Read more...]
Men’s Health Magazine article on “How Fitness Icon Laird Hamilton Stays in Shape at 55!” lists sauna as tip #2.
The March issue of Men's Health Magazine is in news stands. And in my inbox are many links to the article "How Fitness Icon Laird Hamilton Stays in Shape at 55!" Sauna is prominently promoted and flag waved as "Laird-ism" answer #2 (just behind music and ahead of burpees). "Not long ago, some studies coming out of Finland alerted Hamilton to the benefits of heat in aiding recovery and he’s been adding sauna sessions to his workouts ever since. He now prefers it over ice. “Sure, we gravitate to ice because it's more pleasurable,” he says. “If you've been running around and you're hotter than snot and feeling beat up, you're like ‘yeah numb me’”. But Hamilton learned that the hormones you produce in heat are actually more conducive to … [Read more...]
Sauna Magic is a new sauna book that is “beautifully written and lavishly illustrated”
Garrett Conover has produced a new sauna book that focuses on health, happiness, and community. Garrett is a kindred spirit with a deep respect for the centuries old Finnish sauna tradition. His appreciation of the authentic radiates from every page of Sauna Magic, as he introduces us to the warmth and character of other sauna lovers like you and me. Beautifully crisp photos surround his poetic writing that leads the reader through journeys of various sauna visits throughout North America. Garrett Conover's Sauna Magic, released 2019 Please stay in touch with Garrett and his book launch via his Facebook page here. maineauthorspublishing.com/ is to the publisher for retailers to order books wholesale. Quote within … [Read more...]
In Japan, 7th March is called the Sauna Day, where over 25 million Japanese people like saunas.
There are various types of sauna in the world such as Banya in Russia, Hamam in Turkey, Hanjeungmak in Korea. The sauna gives us great benefits, and sauna lovers are looking forward to the saunas which are still unseen. We hope you add Japanese sauna to your enjoyment. We, the Japan Sauna Institute, aim to contribute to the health and peace of the people around the world by conducting research on and promoting all related to the sauna. The Japanese are sauna enthusiasts. In Japan, 7th March is called the Sauna Day. Surprisingly, our survey revealed that over 25 million Japanese people like saunas. Japanese people have become familiar with sauna bathing from ancient times. Moreover, a custom to go to a public … [Read more...]
Sauna Talk: Omar Ansari, founder, Surly Brewing Company
Welcome to this episode of Sauna Talk. Today on the bench we join Omar Ansari, founder and owner of Surly Brewing Company. For those not in Minnesota, Surly Brewing, as of 2018, is reported to be the third largest brewery in Minnesota. Producing 93,000 barrels per year. Surly brewing made the list of top 50 brewers in the United States, and will be knocking their way down on that list, i'm sure. The Surly beer hall and garden is located between downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. It is, well, a very large facility that packs them in. The Beer hall has quickly become a destination point for locals and visitors to the Twin Cities. Surly Brewing: part of the fabric of the Upper Midwest For those of us in Minnesota, Surly needs … [Read more...]
Father and sons take a 280 degree f. sauna, documenting the only “300 Club” in North America
During the last Polar Vortex in North America, many of us were able to join the "200 club:" enjoying, say, a 180f sauna with outside temperatures hovering around -20f. But what about a run at the 300 Club? Saunatimes is pleased to visit with the Richter family from St. Paul, MN, who share their story of experiencing temperature extremes to an Antarctic extreme. Welcome the Richters: Tyler, Dave, and Tony building Tony’s sauna Tyler: A few years ago Tony and I were talking about the South Pole 300 Club (members take a 200-degree sauna followed by a sprint around the south pole monument when the temp reaches -100). We wondered, quite longingly, if we would ever have that chance here in Minnesota. Of course, it will never get … [Read more...]
Sauna build in Northwest Wisconsin has changed the whole cabin experience: everyone wants to hang out there
Guest post series continues. Please welcome John from Minneapolis by weekdays and Northwestern Wisconsin, near Hayward, by weekends. Welcome John: What compelled you to build your own sauna? I have been in love the authentic sauna experience since spending time living in Sweden and Germany In the 1980s. I have wanted to build a sauna at my cabin since I bought it 20 years ago. I have a building that is 5’ x 8’ right on the lake shore. It started life as a pump house and later served as a fish cleaning house. Today, we use it for storage. I had always planned to use it as a sauna and everyone I discussed it with felt that it needed to be on the shore of the lake. I could never pull the trigger because I could not figure out how to … [Read more...]
A poolside sauna in Eastern Canada provides a rich spectrum of hot, cold, relaxation and wellness retreat
Guest post series continues. Please welcome Troy V. from Rockwood, Ontario. Troy comes to Saunatimes with a good first world sauna problem: how to build an authentic sauna poolside, as part of his pool utility shed. So, let's dive right in and check out Troy's sauna building project. Enter Troy: What compelled you to build your own sauna? The decision to build my own came back in 2014, after listening to a podcast with Dr. Rhonda Patrick who detailed the health benefits of regular sauna use. What compelled me most was a lack of suitable sauna options in my area. I discovered the sauna for myself around 2006 as a member of the Fort Erie YMCA, located across the Niagara River from Buffalo, NY. In that location, the men’s change room … [Read more...]
They couldn’t find it in Canada, so they decided to build a German style sauna in their garden
Guest post series continues. Please welcome Michael from Muskoka,Ontario, Canada; about 150KM north of Toronto, and about 120 km south of the well known Algonquin Park. Enter Michael: What compelled you to build your own sauna First I went to the YMCA for workouts. Out of curiosity, I checked the “Finish” sauna, one day. It was so hot, I did not last 5 min. In general, I was able to deal with the cold a lot better, than with the heat. A member told me to ease into it and just to be patient with myself. No one would laugh or make fun of me, since this was normal, when first experiencing the sauna. Eventually I got used to it and started learning more about saunas and how to use them correctly. I also learned about the health … [Read more...]
He tackles his sauna build with a full time job and two young children and the result is a lifetime of pride and enjoyment
Guest post series continues. We welcome Mike, from Northwest Minnesota, who has created his own authentic sauna backyard retreat. For those of us busy with full time jobs and demands like a spouse who also works full time and young children at home, let us take a deep breath and share the appreciation for Mike's commitment to his sauna building project. Time is a construct. "Not enough time" may just be another way of saying "I'm not sure I want to do this." And that's ok. Sauna building is not for everyone. Yet for those of us who understand and accept the challenge, we are invariably rewarded with arguably the most beneficial improvement we can make to our homes or cabins. Want evidence? Enter Mike: What compelled you … [Read more...]