Finnish Traditions
Discover the wellness practices that have made Finland one of the happiest countries on Earth.
Finland consistently ranks among the happiest countries in the world. While many factors contribute to this, their wellness traditions - particularly the sauna culture - play a significant role in Finnish mental and physical health.
These practices are not luxury or trend - they are woven into daily Finnish life. From the family sauna on Saturday nights to the workplace sauna for team building, these traditions connect Finns to their bodies, nature, and each other.
Core Traditions
Sauna Culture
With over 3 million saunas for 5.5 million people, the sauna is sacred in Finnish life. It is a place for physical cleansing, mental clarity, and social connection.
Avantouinti
Winter swimming (avantouinti) is practiced by hundreds of thousands of Finns. The combination of cold water and sauna heat creates profound wellness benefits.
Connection to Nature
Finns have deep respect for nature. The concept of "everyman's right" allows free access to forests and lakes, encouraging outdoor wellness.
The Finnish Sauna
The word "sauna" is one of the few Finnish words adopted into other languages. For Finns, the sauna is more than heat therapy - it is a way of life.
Traditionally, the sauna was the cleanest room in the house and was used for giving birth, healing the sick, and preparing the dead. Today, it remains a place of physical and spiritual cleansing.
The authentic Finnish sauna experience involves multiple rounds of heat (15-20 minutes), punctuated by cooling - either in a lake, cold shower, or rolling in snow.
Sauna Statistics
- • 3.3 million saunas in Finland
- • 5.5 million population
- • 99% of Finns sauna at least weekly
- • Average session: 2-3 rounds
- • Temperature: 70-100°C (158-212°F)
Sauna Etiquette
- 1Remove all clothing - Finns sauna nude (towels for sitting)
- 2Shower before entering the sauna
- 3Sit quietly and respect the peaceful atmosphere
- 4Pour water on stones (löyly) to create steam
- 5Cool down between rounds - cold shower, lake, or fresh air
- 6Stay hydrated and listen to your body
- 7The sauna is not a competition - leave when you need to
Sisu
Sisu is a uniquely Finnish concept that roughly translates to "resilience" or "determination" - but it is much more than that. It is the ability to push through when things get hard, to find strength you did not know you had.
The cold practices in Finnish culture both require and build sisu. Stepping into an ice hole in winter is an act of sisu. And each time you do it, your sisu grows.
Experience Finnish Wellness
You do not need to be in Finland to benefit from these traditions. Start with what you have - a cold shower and your breath.