Do you know that the most popular Finnish "loan word" in the English language? That's right, it's "sauna." Sauna is actually a word that Finland has loaned to many countries to describe a hot (up to 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit!), small cabin or room, typically with wooden benches, floors and walls and a smoke pit or a stove where water is thrown over hot coals to keep the steam in the room quite hot. Although I have been to saunas in the United States, my favorite ones are here in Finland, where the sauna was first popularized.
Although not every Finn loves sauna, many of them do. "Going to sauna" is taking a moment, usually on certain days of the week that are traditional, such as Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday, to clear your mind and be at peace. Although there are public saunas where you can have lively conversations with people from around the world, typically a sauna is quite hot and literally takes your breath away, so being quiet in smaller or private saunas is not only respectful and relaxing but usually more practical!
Sauna usually begins with a shower, then the sauna for about 10 minutes, sitting on the lowest level as a beginner then moving up the benches in the room as you can tolerate the heat more as it rises. One person throws water on the coals with a special ladle when more steam is needed.
