Almost everyone loves the sauna, but some people find themselves getting bored easily. What can you do to avoid boredom in the sauna?
Everyone is different, and not everybody is going to want to do everything or anything on this list, but even if you’re one of those people, it’ll get your mind coming up with ideas!
Let’s start with my favorite thing to do in the sauna.
Let Your Mind Wander
In line with Finnish sauna tradition, and in my opinion, the best thing to do in the sauna is to let your mind wander.
Being alone with your thoughts may seem like a daunting task with all of our modern-day distractions, but it’s good for your mind and your mentality to be able to do it.
Daydream, work through problems you’re facing, or go wherever your mind leads you!
Meditate
Rather than letting your mind do whatever it wants to, you can do intentional, structured meditation in the sauna.
There are not only countless benefits to doing so, but it intensifies the benefits of sauna by allowing you to be even more relaxed.
Focus On Breathing
This goes hand in hand with meditation, but you can do it on its own, while you’re meditating, or while you’re doing anything else on this list.
Focusing on your breathing is a good way to clear your mind, keep away negative thoughts, and maximize your benefits in the sauna.
Read
When was the last time you read a book? Using your sauna time to read can be a great option to keep boredom away. Whether you want to distract yourself, read about an interesting story, or learn something new, there’s something for everyone.
One thing to be aware of is that some books’ glue may start to melt in the high temperatures of a sauna. In addition, whether it’s a dry sauna or a wet sauna, the pages of your book may start to deteriorate faster than they should.
Either way, if you’re going to read, make sure that your book isn’t a precious copy of something, just in case something goes wrong.
Socialize
Another great thing to do in the sauna is to socialize! However, it’s important to be respectful of other sauna-goers that may want a quiet experience.
You can catch up with friends, talk about the latest game, or meet new friends and chat with other regulars.
Socializing can be a great way to pass the time no matter where you are. Again, just make sure you’re being respectful of other people.
Listen to Music
Listening to music is another way to pass the time in the sauna, but you have to be careful about how you do it.
Unless you’re in a private sauna either alone, or only with a group of friends where you can play music out loud, you should listen to music with headphones on.
You probably don’t want to bring your phone into the sauna. Something I’ve seen recently is people placing their phone just outside the sauna door and listening to music through wireless headphones.
Whenever you bring electronics into the sauna you run the risk of damaging them, but with headphones you should be alright.
Write/Journal
Writing or journaling is another great way to spend your time, especially if you already do it. If you journal at a different time of day, why not combine it with the sauna and save some time?
Of course, you’ll have the same concerns with your notebook as you would with bringing any other book in the sauna, but you’ll be alright especially if you have a spiral bound notebook, compared to a glued one.
Just be careful if your pen or notebook has any metal on it, because it will get quite hot in the sauna!
Stretch Your Body
If you go to the sauna after a workout, this one is a good one for you.
One of the major benefits of saunas/steam rooms alike is helping your muscles recover after a workout. If you can combine that with stretching, the effects will be even greater.
If you choose to go with this one, just make sure you aren’t getting in anyone else’s way or doing anything too weird.
Red Light Therapy
In addition to all of the benefits you can get from a sauna session, you can get many benefits from red light therapy at the same time!
Red light therapy can help with acne, reduce inflammation, and improve your skin in general, which are also benefits of going to the sauna.
Doing both sauna and red light therapy at the same time can compound the benefits and make you even healthier overall.
Listen to a Podcast
Just like listening to music, you can listen to a podcast too. I prefer this option, as podcasts can work out your mind/teach you something new, as long as you’re listening to a good one.
Whatever you do, make sure you’re not disturbing anyone else.
Enjoy the Heat
This is one of my favorite options; sit there and enjoy the heat! If you’re from a colder climate like I am, a daily sauna can be a great escape from the cold of winter.
Another benefit of this one is that it doesn’t take any work to accomplish. If you’ve been out in the cold all day, you can finally sit back and warm yourself up.