Enlightenment in the sauna
It's already been some time since I've incorporated going to the sauna & thalasso into my routine at least once a week. I discovered it a long time ago in my hometown, tried it again a couple times while working abroad, and re-discovered it a third time in another work mission in a different country. I already consider myself a proud saunahead ๐ง๐ฝโโ๏ธ, and if the term doesn't exist yet I may as well be the one that makes it fashionable.
There are numerous well-documented benefits to the sauna: detoxification, reduction of stress levels, and less muscle and joint pain.
However, what actually makes me want to go often is the opportunity for self-reflection and deep thought that it provides me with.
Unless you live alone, I'd argue the chances you have to be in a place with your phone out of reach and no other stimuli fighting for your attention are scarce. Even when doing sports like going for a run, you're doing something you have to focus your mind on. While inside the steamy chamber, you are with yourself. If anything, the mind needs to get accustomed to the heat for a bit before letting itself wander.
The sauna provides the perfect environment to ruminate about what I link to call open-ended topics. These are questions that due to either their complexity or their flexible nature, are better thought over a long period of time. Conversely, their opposite, close-ended topics are the ones one can resolve within a definite amount of time allocated to them: deciding on a purchase or where to go on holidays for example. Open-ended topics tend to be more abstract and difficult to answer: Am I happy living where I live?, Where do I see myself in the future?, Should I switch jobs?. They require a more profound understanding of oneself.
So every day I go to the sauna I try to bring with me an open-ended topic that I want to advance in, and hopefully get to a conclusion.
How to behave in a sauna? a little bit of sauna etiquette to make yourself comfortable and be respectful of others while in there ๐จ๐ผโ๐:
- Say hello when you arrive and goodbye when you leave. I see some people are very uncomfortable being around other people in a swimsuit and sweating, but you got yourself in that situation, be polite.
- For the love of all that is good, just be quiet while you are in the sauna ๐ everyone inside is trying to relax, chill or mull over something. They don't want you going inside with a friend and start talking about a restaurant at street volume. It's irksome.
- Use a towel where you sit, although the sweat will disappear in no time, it's better for hygiene ๐งผ.
Simple right? I encourage everyone to go to the sauna by themselves and try it out.