How Long Should My Sauna Sessions Be?

Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned sauna enthusiast, finding the optimal session length can be as tricky as pronouncing "Aufguss", but fear not, fellow heat-seeker! We'll dive into the steamy depths of sauna science to uncover the hidden truths in the burning stones. So, grab your towel, adjust your sauna hat, and let's get started!

Before we set the timer, let's explore the sauna landscape. Saunas come in various flavors:

Finnish Saunas: These classic wooden cabins are hotter than a jalapeño in July where the temperatures can reach a sizzling 175°F (80-100°C). Think of them as the OGs of sauna culture.
Infrared Saunas: These sleek, space-age pods use infrared heaters to penetrate your skin directly. They're like the James Bond of saunas --cool, efficient, and very seduction.
Wet Saunas / Steam Rooms: Picture yourself in a misty rainforest. Except its very, very hot! Wet saunas generate moist heat, usually around 40-60°C that feels a lot hotter than what the dials suggest.

The Basics

OK, with Sauna 101 out of the way, let's talk timing. Remember, saunas are like relationships: respecting your boundaries gets you a long way.

As a beginner, short session between 5 to 10 minutes should do the trick. Once you realize that you're not as easy to melt, get comfortable in adding a minute here and there, or just ramp up the heat.

As you gain courage with your experience, try not to overdo it by capping your individual sessions to 20 minutes. Even if you're a sauna Jedi, respect the force, and the heat, and let heat flow through you.

Eventually, you will learn to listen to your body and push it here and there without making it a pride contest. Remember, a session is just the period you're sitting in the sauna not the outing itself. Maybe you do start out with a single 10 minute session, for the day, but you can definitely work your way up to multiple 10-20 minute sessions, with cold plunges, buckets, etc, in a single day or outing.

The Science of Steam

Researchers say that combined sauna sessions longer than a Netflix episode longer than 19 minutes offer robust cardiovascular benefits. But hey, life isn't a stopwatch. Listen to your body but don't be scared of some heat. Don't forget, sweating is our superpower.

But with great power comes great thirst. Guzzle water like a camel at an oasis. Any respectable sauna will know the importance of hydration. They often offer tasty beverages like lemon water, cucumber water, and teas, at no extra cost.

Hydration is also a great excuse to step outside, breathe in the crisp air, and pretend you're in a Nordic fairy tale. You gotta cool down to get hot. Your heart will thank you.

Saunas are like therapy, minus the couch. They can help you destress, with a little but of positive stress. Take your mind off the negatives, and just focus.

Oh and, if you're coming out of a workout, let your heart rate chill a little before giving it another round of pacing.

Do not neglect your trusty sidekick, the towel. Sit on it, wrap it around you, or fashion it into a superhero cape. Make yourself a steamy turban, if you got the skills. But don't be scared if you walk in on a nudist party. Embrace it. Free your mind and body.

No matter what, it's important to find your rhythm, hydrate like a boss, and bask in the sauna glow. And who knows? Maybe you'll master the art of Aufguss someday.

Saunas are awesome, but consult your doctor if you have health concerns or are pregnant. Start slow 'n low.