get your sweat on
Saunas around the West Sound and Olympic Peninsula
Words by Charlotte Austin
Photos by Danielle Ferguson
The door swings open, and you're greeted with a strong wave of warm, humid air. You step forward, breathing in the gentle scents of birch and cedar. As you move into the sauna, you might feel the gentle patter of rain against the roof and walls. If other patrons are already seated on the wooden benches, you'll hear the soft murmur of conversation, or they may sit together in silence, holding space as they breathe into the heat. The first trickle of sweat drips down your temple, your forearm, the small of your back. As you settle in, you finally feel yourself exhale. For the next few minutes, you are home.
Sound like a dream? It doesn't have to. For patrons of Fire + Floe, a small business that operates a traditional wood-burning Finnish sauna, this exact scene happens several times a week---and you're invited.
Nestled into a beachfront property in Bainbridge Island's Lynwood Center, Fire + Floe operates 75-minute sauna sessions with an optional cold plunge. After working up a sweat, guests take a few steps toward a private beach, submerge themselves into Puget Sound for as long as feels right and make their way back to the sauna. Wash, rinse, repeat. In winter months, it's the place to be---and for good reason. Pacific Northwesterners are finally waking up to the many ways that regular use of a sauna can improve our lives.
It's not new. Cultures around the world have used saunas for health benefits for thousands of years, and proof that our ancestors knew is finally being published. A 2018 research paper "Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence," by Jari A. Laukkanen, MD, PhD reported that regular sauna use is linked to a reduction in high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and stroke, and potential benefits for pulmonary (lung) disease and neurocognitive conditions such as dementia.
Heat exposure also appears to alleviate pain associated with inflammation and arthritis, and other research finds that sauna use reduces the risk of early death. For women in all stages of menopause (including peri- and post-menopause), saunas reduce hot flashes, increase bone health, and reduce stress. And for those of us in high-latitude climates like the Pacific Northwest, the mental health benefits of sauna use---including lower rates of depression, higher endorphin and serotonin levels, and better sleep---are especially welcome in the cold, dark months of deep winter and early spring. Given our similar climates, it's no wonder these traditional Scandinavian practices are finding popularity in communities around the Salish Sea.
Luckily, Fire + Floe isn't the only option for local heat-seekers. For those who crave wilderness experiences, there's SeaTsu, an off-grid, wood-fired sauna tucked deep into the forest on the Olympic Peninsula near Blyn, Washington. Made entirely of hand-milled local timber, the sauna operates by appointment only. Locals in the know can book private sweats, shared community sessions or monthly women's nights. SeaTsu's facilities, which include a geodesic dome, outdoor showers and a large cold-plunge pool, all nestled among mature madrone, Douglas fir and western red cedar. For more adventure, visit Menizei, a new glamping-style resort outside Port Angeles. Guests can cocoon themselves in upscale safari-style tents, each with a private sauna, for overnight retreats in Olympic National Park.
For a more urban date night or sweat with some pals, there's Soak on the Sound, a brick-and-mortar business in the heart of Port Townsend. Before or after a light meal at a nearby restaurant or a stroll along the waterfront, guests can book private saltwater soaking tubs with optional attached infrared and Finnish steam saunas, creating a customizable combination of healing experiences. Pro tip: to surprise your sweetie, check out the "Refresh & Reconnect" package, which adds specialty beverages, chocolate truffles and a post-soak skin serum for the best date night around.
Other sauna options are tucked into communities around Kitsap County and the Olympic Peninsula. There's Dogfish Moon Sanctuary, a wellness center in Poulsbo that offers sauna as one of several healing modalities. Dayaalu Center, a yoga studio on Bainbridge Island, offers infrared saunas available by appointment. Velvaere Nordic Spa in Kingston includes a sauna, hot tub and cold plunge nestled into a private forest. Other saunas are nestled into gyms and private homes, and---as the word spreads---more are becoming available all the time.
Mikal Foushee, owner of Fire + Floe, is happy to see saunas rising in popularity, and encourages locals to embrace all elements of the experience---alone,
and, whenever possible, with their loved ones. "You can talk all day about the
benefits of sauna," she shares. "They're undeniable: the improvement in mental health, the reduced inflammation, the longevity, the better sleep. But here in
North America, the community piece is what we're still discovering. I can't wait to see where it goes."
“As you settle in, you finally feel yourself exhale. For the next few minutes, you are home.”
make the most of your sauna
The basics are simple: come prepared to sweat. That means wearing a swimsuit or simple athletic clothing and bringing a towel as well as waterproof shoes or sandals. To make the most of your experience, consider these tips from the pros:Come in hydrated. Chugging a glass of water en route to the sauna doesn't necessarily mean your body is fully hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids in the days before and after your sweat session, and keep track of electrolytes. Powdered electrolyte blends such as Re-Lyte, Trace Minerals and Thorne are helpful options.
Consider your jewelry carefully. Leave anything precious or irreplaceable at home, as you would when visiting any public pool or bathhouse. Any metal you're wearing will get hot. Jewelry that stays put---rings and small earrings--- can heat up gradually with the body. But necklaces, bracelets, and looser accessories can cause discomfort when they move against the skin.
Invest in a hat. It sounds counter-intuitive, but sauna pros are often seen sporting insulating hats of wool or other natural fibers made specifically for sweating. Worn in the sauna, these hats protect your head and hair from extreme heat, so you can tolerate longer sessions. The best place to source specialty sauna hats is online, or in a pinch, a wool beanie or ski cap can work.
Skip the booze. While the idea of a pre-sweat drink can be appealing, especially in social settings, experts recommend separating the two experiences---and by more time than you might think. The physiological effects of saunas pose real health hazards for both intoxicated and hungover users, so step into the heat sober and hydrated.
Introduce kids gradually. Scandinavian cultures routinely sauna with the whole family, but it's best to use caution. Young children have less-developed temperature regulation systems and are more susceptible to overheating and dehydration. Introduce heat therapy gradually and with a doctor's permission.
Have a post-sauna plan. Bring clean, comfortable clothing for after your session, especially when visiting rural or destination spas. Consider packing a changing robe, plastic bag for your sweaty clothing and extra towels.
Embrace the sweat. "The sauna is unique because there's no ego involved," shares Mikal Foushee of Fire + Floe. "You really can't have an ego in the sauna, so you're forced to just come as you are. But that's the beauty of the experience---it's very real, and you leave feeling a deeper connection to the people around you."
Craving a sweat while traveling? For public sauna options around the globe, visit the sauna map at saunatimes.com