IN RECENT YEARS, outdoor saunas have surged in popularity, popping up across Ireland with increasing frequency. And there’s no sign of the trend cooling off anytime soon.

People are increasingly seeking out wellness experiences that connect them to nature and offer time for silence and contemplation.

We are living in a more health-conscious world. The progression and interest in health-focused research and the advent of social media and growth of computer health literacy have increased our awareness of what is good and not so good for our bodies.

Although it is always important to review the reference sources of health information to ensure it is based on evidence-based research, rather than anecdotal personal reflections of online health influencers.

The Hot Pod Sauna Clonea www.thehotpod.ie. Stephen O'Rourke Stephen O'Rourke

Young people today are trading Friday evening binge drinking for sea swimming and saunas, conversations over pints to journaling and reflections between cold bath plunging and wood-burning sauna time.

This trend is driven by a desire for relaxation in today’s fast-paced, swipe and click-based culture, finding moments to pause in silence from the digital landscapes.

It is vital for our mental and emotional well-being to learn to disconnect, and we have become more conscious of the addictive nature of doomscrolling and social media. The health benefits of sauna use, such as improved circulation and stress relief, are also becoming more widely known, encouraging people to make the regular pilgrimage to their local outdoor sauna.

A new (healthy) Irish pursuit 

Sauna bathing, an activity that has been a tradition in Finland for thousands of years and mainly used for the purposes of pleasure and relaxation, is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland.

Research suggests........

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