Saunas relax and rejuvenate our bodies, positively affecting our health – which is reason enough to go to the sauna much more often. You don’t need much to enjoy a sauna. In our part of the world, it’s customary to use the sauna without clothing. However, there are a few essentials you shouldn’t be without. Read on to find out what you generally need for a sauna session and what counts as a luxury sauna accessory.
The few essentials you need for a sauna session
The most important thing you need is time. If you only have a short window for your sauna session, you’ll end up constantly checking the clock – that’s no way to relax! Plan at least 2 hours for a relaxing sauna visit.
One thing you should never be without during a sauna session is a sauna bath towel to sit or lie on. Whether you choose a smaller sauna seat towel or a large sauna bath towel that you can comfortably lie on, it’s important to keep sweat from getting onto the sauna benches and leaving unsightly stains. The wood of the sauna benches can also get very hot during a session, so lying fully on a sauna towel helps protect your skin. You’ll also need a shower towel to cool off after your session. You can wrap yourself in a bathrobe during your rest periods. Bath slippers protect your feet from fungi and dirt. Use soap or shampoo to shower at the end of your sauna visit. To avoid dehydration, it’s important to drink enough after your sauna sessions. So remember to bring a bottle of tea, mineral water, or a juice spritzer.
That little something extra
There are many other practical accessories that can make your sauna session, cool-down, and rest periods more enjoyable and comfortable.
- Using a sauna hat made of linen terry or wool may sound contradictory at first, but it can protect sensitive people from the heat that spreads from top to bottom during infusions.
- A sauna kilt is quick and easy to wrap around yourself when visiting a sauna in a wellness center. They’re available in unisex, one-size-fits-all styles and in a range of materials.
- Salt scrubs are especially popular with women, as the fine, fragrant salt crystals dissolve in the warm, humid sauna air, firming the skin and leaving it velvety soft.
- Rest periods are an important and integral part of the sauna ritual. You can make this relaxing “downtime” more enjoyable with soothing sounds through a pair of (in-ear) headphones or your favorite novel.
- During the colder months, or whenever your body has cooled down, cozy socks can boost your comfort.
Sauna bathing in your own home sauna
If you enjoy sweating it out in the comfort of your own home and have a home sauna, you can tailor your sauna session to your own wishes and preferences.
- If you’d like to enjoy the fragrant steam of infusions, you’ll need an infusion bucket and ladle. One major advantage of having your own sauna is being able to choose the scents yourself. From fresh and fruity to floral or spicy, you’ll quickly find your favorite, which you can dilute with water and pour evenly over the sauna stones.
- If you prefer a gentler sauna and don’t like it too hot, you may prefer the bio sauna. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to herbs, which you can loosely place on a special screen on the bio sauna heater. The herbs are infused with steam and release their essential oils into the sauna.
- There’s a wide selection of head and back supports for comfortable lounging. Headrests with fabric covers, adjustable head sections, or ball-bearing wooden discs, like the “Magic Hands”, make your sauna session a relaxing pleasure.
- Sauna accessories such as an hourglass, glasses holder, or reading light are practical items that make sauna bathing easier and more comfortable.
Conclusion
In theory, a small beach bag with a sauna towel, shower towel, and shower gel would be all you need for a sauna session. But as the saying goes, those little extras are the salt in the soup – comfortable, luxurious, and nice to have.