Why I Fell in Love with Saunas (And You Might Too)

Let me start by saying, I'm not talking about the saunas you find at the gym or a spa. You know the ones, dry, rather soulless boxes, where you sit in silence for 10 minutes focusing only on sweating and pretend its relaxing.

No thanks.

What I am talking about is the kind of sauna experience that feels like a deep exhale. The kind that’s rooted in Nordic tradition, heated by a real wood-burning stove. Where the smell of cedar hits you as soon as you walk in. Where there are stones on the stove that you pour water over, releasing a wave of heat and steam called löyly, it’s like the sauna’s way of giving you a warm hug

My first real taste of this kind of sauna was at Saltwater Sauna in Sandbanks back in 2022. I didn’t know what to expect. Honestly, I thought I was just going to get really sweaty. But what I found was something completely different. The view of the water, the scent of the wood, the comforting crack of the fire, the pause in the busy mind, it all just clicked.

People chatted or didn’t, a silence was never awkward. Nobody was rushing. I didn’t feel like I had to hit a target time or follow any rules. I just listened to my body, sat in the warmth until it felt right, then stepped outside into the cool sea breeze. That contrast? Unmatched. I went with friends, I visited solo, it was wonderful either way.

And I soon realised, Sauna isn’t just about getting warm. This is about feeling; grounded, connected, equal. Whether you’re alone, sharing a bench with a stranger, or with friends/family, there’s something about a proper sauna that breaks down barriers. You leave lighter, in every sense.

So if you’ve only ever tried the “15 minutes in a dry box at the gym or a spa” version of a sauna… please go and find one with wood. One with rocks. One with löyly.

Take a trip to Sauna Hug. You might just fall in love with it too, like I did.