Many people in the USA are familiar with saunas. However, from my experience, the ritual of a communal sauna is less engrained. In moving to Sweden, the sauna – or bastu, as it’s called here – has become a favorite weekly ritual where I can relax, heat up, and connect with friends. While the environmental sustainability aspects may not be as obvious, the social merits of this ritual have physical health benefits, and certainly mental health benefits for me. The Swedes have been on to this for years, so I am still learning all that there is to know about this activity.
As a teen in the Berkshires I enrolled in a synchronized swimming team at Eastover Resort in Lenox. After practice we would spend time in the sauna and then plunge into the snow. We were far from the sea. Americans of my generation and class do not do naked, but even with our swimsuits the whole experience was amazing. Thanks for the memories Shauna!
I've also heard of the snow plunge! Apparently they do it further north in the winter time when there is snow. There is also the lake/river ice dip in the winter. I'm somewhat in awe of that experience!
I love these mini travel adventures - thank you Shauna! I'm waiting for someone to set one up on the Bay. It would definitely catch on.
Thanks for your encouragement! And yes, agree this idea could totally pick up in CA! Seed planted 😃
As a teen in the Berkshires I enrolled in a synchronized swimming team at Eastover Resort in Lenox. After practice we would spend time in the sauna and then plunge into the snow. We were far from the sea. Americans of my generation and class do not do naked, but even with our swimsuits the whole experience was amazing. Thanks for the memories Shauna!
I've also heard of the snow plunge! Apparently they do it further north in the winter time when there is snow. There is also the lake/river ice dip in the winter. I'm somewhat in awe of that experience!