A recent Swedish study has found that people who use saunas regularly tend to feel happier and more energetic. This research, published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health, is the first to examine sauna habits and their impact on well-being in Sweden.
Researchers are now interested in conducting further studies to determine whether saunas are the sole factor behind these benefits or if other factors are involved.
The study, led by Hans Hägglund and based on health surveys and questionnaires, focused on individuals in Norrbotten and Västerbotten, two regions in northern Sweden.
Researchers discovered that sauna users reported higher levels of happiness, better sleep, more energy, and improved ratings of their physical and mental health compared to people who did not use saunas.
According to Hägglund, “Sauna users are happier, sleep better, have more energy, and rate their mental and physical health better than non-users.”
This research is part of the broader MONICA study (Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease), a long-term population survey that tracks cardiovascular health in northern Sweden.
When the MONICA survey was conducted in 2022, it included questions about sauna habits, marking the first time sauna use was explored in this context. Of the 1,180 people aged 25–74 who took part, 971 responded to questions about saunas.
Out of those, about 66% said they used a sauna at least once a month. This group was compared to non-sauna users to assess any differences in well-being.
However, Hägglund cautions that there are some limitations to the results. The sauna users were generally younger, more likely to be male, more physically active, and less likely to smoke, but they also tended to drink alcohol more frequently.
These factors mean the two groups were not entirely similar, so the positive effects associated with sauna use should be interpreted with caution.
Interestingly, this study suggests that people do not need to use saunas as frequently as some previous research has indicated to see benefits. In Finland, studies have often concluded that using a sauna 4–7 times per week is ideal for maximizing health benefits.
However, in this Swedish study, people who took saunas only 1–4 times per month reported the highest levels of happiness and energy. Those who used saunas more frequently did not see additional improvements in their physical or mental well-being.
The research team is eager to investigate further, aiming to use additional data analysis to explore whether sauna use is directly responsible for the benefits observed. Future studies may also involve more controlled lab settings to examine specific aspects, such as how sauna use could improve sleep.
This study on sauna habits and well-being in northern Sweden was a collaboration among several universities, including Uppsala University, Karlstad University, Luleå University of Technology, and Umeå University.
It marks an exciting first step in understanding the role of sauna use in enhancing happiness and health, and it has inspired researchers to continue exploring this unique aspect of Scandinavian life.
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The research findings can be found in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health.
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