WHEN FINNISH SAUNA WAS ADDED TO THE UNESCO INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE LIST* IN DECEMBER 2020 NO ONE WAS SURPRISED. MANY THINK THE ADDITION WAS LONG OVERDUE AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN CLEAR WHAT A FUNDAMENTAL ROLE SAUNA BATHING PLAYS IN THE FINNISH CULTURE AND EVERYDAY LIFE OF THE FINNS.
As Finland’s leading newspaper Helsingin Sanomat states in a related article** sauna traditions play a huge role in the Finnish cultural heritage. In the olden days sauna was not only a please to get clean and stay warm, people also started and ended their lives in the sauna.
“IF A DISEASE CANNOT BE CURED BY TAR, ALCOHOL AND SAUNA, IT MUST BE DEADLY.”
says an old Finnish proverb
Even today the sauna tradition lives deep in the Finnish culture and lifestyle. Most Finns, 90 % to be exact, go to sauna at least once a week and there are approximately 3,2 million saunas in Finland, a staggering amount for a nation of 5 million inhabitants.
Sauna is good for the body and mind
In recent years, especially with the ever-increasing focus on health and well-being, sauna has gained popularity in other countries as well. Especially in North America where people are looking for novel healthier ways to decompress, recharge and live healthier longer lives.
"SAUNA IS A POOR MAN’S PHARMACY"
says another Finnish proverb, after all.
Sauna has a lot of know health benefits, not only the obvious feel-good factors of detoxing the body and destressing the mind, sauna also increases circulation and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease***
The happiest country in the world also does the most sauna
In this light it must not be a coincidence that Finland, a country where sauna bathing is a weekly if not a daily practice of most inhabitants, has been nominated the happiest country in the world for six times running by the United Nations World Happiness Report. Considering that Finland is quite a small, dark and cold country with harsh conditions and short summers this is no mean feat.
What do you think makes Finland the happiest country in the world?
Sources:
*https://minedu.fi/en/-/finland-s-sauna-culture-inscribed-on-unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage-list
**https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000007688939.html
***https://www.healwithheat.com/5-health-benefits-of-sitting-in-a-sauna/