Can You Enjoy An Outdoor Sauna In All Weathers?
With one major exception, outdoor saunas can be used in all weathers, but each climate provides a slightly different experience, and it is always important to keep hydrated regardless of the time of year you use it.
Hot springs and saunas have been enjoyed all over the world, and whilst they often change in style and design from traditional log cabins to modern Hot Boxes, the goal of providing relaxation, wellness and heat therapy is the same no matter what.
In practice, there are slight regional and seasonal differences between sauna experiences, and to explain why, here is how different weather conditions can affect your sauna.
How Does Hot Weather Affect An Outdoor Sauna?
During a heatwave, many saunas in gyms and wellness centres are emptier than usual, but going to the sauna on a hot day can help boost your circulation and improve your wellbeing as long as you keep hydrated.
Athletes will still use saunas during summer training sessions, as it helps the body acclimatise and tolerate heat better. It can also help boost circulation and even potentially help you sleep better on hot nights.
The key caveat to all of this is to ensure that you have a way to cool down quickly and to ensure you stay hydrated. This could mean doing a cold plunge, taking a cold shower or staying in the shade for a while, especially on humid days.
How Does Cold Weather Affect An Outdoor Sauna?
Given their Scandinavian origins, outdoor saunas are ideally suited to being used in cold weather, and a session in a hot box is traditionally followed by rolling around in the snow or jumping into an ice bath.
The huge temperature gulf between a humid sauna and the icy air outside provides a rush of endorphins and a boost to your circulation. However, if you plan on jumping into open water following a shower, be careful of cold water shock and get in gradually.
As well as this, the cold air means that your outdoor sauna may take up to an hour to preheat if the outdoor temperatures are below freezing, so plan accordingly.
Are Outdoor Saunas Waterproof?
Yes, outdoor saunas are designed with durable materials that are designed to handle the wind and rain that are typical parts of the weather in the UK.
Much like with cold weather, using a sauna when it is raining can feel wonderful, as the contrast of the hot steam of the sauna with the cooling rain helps you feel refreshed and revitalised.
As well as this, the pitter-patter of rain on the roof and the sight of streaming raindrops can make the experience even more mindful.
Can You Use A Sauna During A Thunderstorm?
The only weather you would be unwise in which to use a sauna is a thunderstorm. If you hear the rumble of thunder outside, head inside, away from electric equipment.
Once the storm passes and there is no further risk of lightning strikes, wait another half an hour before returning to the sauna, just to be on the safe side.
