The traditional practice of Finnish sauna bathing has emerged as one of the hottest wellness trends of 2024. The local sauna scene is gaining such a strong following in WA, it may well be challenging Perth’s hip bar culture as the place to meet and socialise. “Saunas are breaking down cultural norms in the best way,” James Browne, director of Alchemy Saunas, says.
“They are the new pub, where friends and couples or groups of families can meet and spend time together without having a drink, basically. “We’re finding the more saunas we add, the more people come and I think one reason the demand for them is so strong is because people are more informed about the health benefits and people want to be healthy.” WA-based Alchemy Saunas is one of a number of companies offering a luxurious, traditional sauna experience around Perth.
Built in the traditional Finnish style, stepping into these skin-tingling cocoons feels like a warm embrace. Steamy, meditative and stress-busting, they soothe the muscles and mind and bring community members together to connect and unwind. As for the intense heat, the literature suggests this offers a string of health benefits, from a decreased risk of dementia to improved cardiovascular function, and that those benefits increase the more often you go.
Is it any wonder Finland is the happiest country in the world? According to Mr Browne, traditional Finnish sauna bathing involves brief exposure to 80-100C, normally for up to 20 minutes. Fin.