Sauna: Scandinavian Style
Dreaming of a hot and steamy heat that’s invigorating and relaxing? Try a traditional Scandinavian sauna. Instagram influencer Annabella Daily, a Nordic mom living in Westport, CT, gave us an exclusive tour of her stunning poolside sauna. Read on to learn how you can bring a touch of Finnish calm to your home:
It’s all about the steam!
Annabella shows us how to achieve a proper Finnish sauna experience. It's not just about detox; it's a calming, rejuvenating process. Here's her method to sauna success:
Heat the Sauna: Warm the sauna to 60-70 degrees — 80 degrees max.
Create Steam: Pour water over the stones of the stove to create rising heat waves. This makes the sauna steamy rather than dry.
Cool Off: Once the sauna reaches a maximum of 80 degrees, take a dip to cool off.
Repeat: Repeat this cycle of heating and cooling 3-4 times for the full effect.
Annabella’s sauna is from OmaSauna. It’s called the “Cube” and arrived from Finland in 3 pieces. They put it together in just 3 days! The stove is from IKI Saunas. The mix of natural wood tones makes it feel right at home by her pool and beautiful backyard. Watch her set-up process here.
In Finland, saunas aren't a luxury; they're a way of life, with about three million saunas for a population of 5.5 million.
“Going to the sauna is an essential, regular therapeutic ritual for the whole family to rest and relax the mind and body.”
Saunas have been around for centuries and aren’t just lukewarm rooms to chit-chat. The popularity of saunas has grown over the years thanks to its many science-backed benefits. Below is a list of some of those benefits.
Sauna benefits according to Mayo Clinic Proceedings:
Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and stroke
Reducing the risk of certain types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
Alleviating common respiratory ailments like asthma
Improving pain for people with conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia
Help reducing stress and improve quality of life
Steam room benefits according to WebMD:
Clearing congestion
Improving skin health
Lowering blood pressure
Improving circulation
Easing bronchitis symptoms
Workout recovery
Relaxation
Lowering joint stiffness
Follow @annabelladaily for more Nordic living tips. And if you haven’t already, sign up for the “Dose of Design” monthly newsletter from Designport so you never miss a Snoop!