A wood sauna or wood-fired sauna is amazing. The smell of the wood, the sound of a real fire… it’s the real deal. But if you’ve never used one, you might be wondering, “What am I supposed to do?”
Don’t worry, it’s super simple. Forget about complicated rules. Here’s an easy guide to having a great first experience.
First, A Few Easy Prep Steps
- Drink Water. Seriously. Before you even start, drink a big glass or two of water. You’re going to sweat a lot, and you need to stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle nearby.
- Grab Your Stuff. You only need a few things:
- Two towels: One to sit on in the sauna and one to dry off with later.
- A bucket and a ladle: For the water you’ll toss on the rocks.
- Heating It Up: Unlike an electric sauna you just turn on, a wood sauna takes time to get hot—often an hour or more. The important part is getting the rocks on top of the stove really, really hot.
The Simple Sauna Cycle: Heat, Cool, Rest
The whole experience is just a simple cycle. Most people do this 2 or 3 times.
Step 1: Quick Rinse Hop in the shower for a quick wash before you go in. It’s just good manners and helps get your body ready.
Step 2: Go In and Just Sit (Round 1) Head into the sauna, put your towel down on the bench, and have a seat. For the first 5 to 10 minutes, just relax. Don’t do anything else. Let your body get used to the heat and start to sweat.
Step 3: Make Some Steam This is the best part.
- Take the ladle, scoop up a little water from the bucket.
- Gently toss it onto the hot rocks.
- You’ll hear a fantastic “Ssssshhhhh” sound, and a nice wave of soft steam will fill the room.
Start with a small amount. You can always add more later if you want.
Step 4: Time to Cool Down After about 10-15 minutes in total (or honestly, whenever you feel like it), head out. The cool-down is just as important as the heat. You can:
- Take a cool shower.
- Just sit outside in the fresh air.
- Jump in a lake or pool if one is nearby.
Step 5: Rest and Drink More Water Now, just chill out for 10 or 15 minutes. Have some more water. This rest period is key to feeling great.
Step 6: Do It All Again! Once you feel rested, head back in for round two. You can repeat the cycle of heating up, cooling down, and resting a couple more times.
A Few Simple Rules
- This is the #1 Rule: Listen to your body. If you feel dizzy, sick, or just weird, get out. It’s not a competition.
- Too Hot? Sit Lower. The lower benches are not as hot as the top ones. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just move to a lower seat.
- Don’t Rush. The whole point is to relax. Take your time.
- No Alcohol. Don’t drink alcohol before or during your sauna. It’s dangerous and will just make you feel bad.
That’s it! A wood sauna is all about that simple cycle: get warm, make some steam, cool off, and rest. Don’t overthink it. The only goal is to relax and feel good. Enjoy it!
