Hot, Hotter, Sauna – Why Do We Sweat Our Way to Health?

1. What Exactly Is It?

A sauna is a room that is deliberately made very warm—usually between 70 and 100 degrees Celsius! That’s almost as hot as an oven when you’re baking a pizza. But don’t worry: you won’t burn yourself in a sauna because the air is dry. You sit on a bench, and after a few minutes, you feel your body warming up and starting to sweat. That’s completely normal! Your body does this to cool itself down, just like a dog pants when it’s hot. Some saunas also have aufguss sessions—where water is poured over hot stones, making it even warmer and more humid. It feels like a warm rain enveloping you. Many people use the sauna to relax, much like you might snuggle up on the sofa after a long day.

2. Where Does It Come From?

Saunas have been around for a very, very long time. Over 2,000 years ago, people in Finland built small wooden huts heated by fire. Finns love their saunas so much that there are more saunas than cars in Finland! But similar traditions exist in other countries too: in Russia, there’s the banya; in Turkey, the hammam; and in Japan, onsen—warm baths often located outdoors in nature. People all over the world have realised that warmth is good for you. You might recognise this yourself: when you have a cold, you might place a hot water bottle on your stomach or drink a warm cup of tea. A sauna is like a big, warm hug for your entire body.

3. What Are Researchers Investigating?

Scientists are studying what happens when people use the sauna regularly. For example, they’ve found that your heart beats faster—similar to when you exercise. But don’t worry: this isn’t dangerous; it’s just a gentle way to train your body, like climbing stairs or riding a bike. Some researchers believe that sauna sessions may help improve how you feel if you’re stressed or struggling to sleep. However, they don’t yet know this for certain. There are still many other questions: Why do some people feel tired after a sauna while others feel more awake? And why do some people sweat more than others? All of this is still being investigated—perhaps one day you might find the answers!

4. An Experiment to Ponder

Try this: on a cold day, go outside briefly—perhaps onto the balcony or into the garden. Feel how the cold tingles on your skin. Then go back inside and wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Doesn’t that feel wonderful? It’s a bit like the sauna: first, it gets hot, and when you step outside, you feel the cool air even more intensely. Your body enjoys the contrast! Maybe you’d like to visit a sauna with your parents sometime and experience it for yourself.

For adults and professionals: the detailed page on sauna.