A Swedish study finds that sauna bathers report better mental and physical health than non-users, adding evidence to the wellness benefits of this traditional practice.
  • regrub@lemmy.world
    1151·
    2 days ago

    People who have enough leisure time to go to things like saunas tend to be happy, yes

      • Soup@lemmy.world
        172·
        2 days ago

        And while people are definitely trapped in those cycles and could be doing some other things, the fact still remains that so many people do not have access to saunas, easy transportation, and the time to set aside an entire evening for it.

        Saunas are also not a great distraction. For sure I agree that people should be facing their issues more head-on but I don’t fully blame poor people for not wanting to spend money to sit alone with their thoughts.

        Basically, there’s a lot more to it than what essentially boils down “just don’t be depressed because you’re overburdened with a mountain of things you’re too worn out to do anything about.”

        • HowAbt2morrow@futurology.todayEnglish
          11·
          2 days ago

          Saunas are a tool in the overall healthy living tool box, helping generate shock proteins and the like, but a good ole cold shower, breathing exercises and Luigi Mangioni’s, and we’ll be back in business.

          • Soup@lemmy.world
            73·
            2 days ago

            Right but I’m worried you’re still not getting that saunas are absolutely not a tool that other people have access to and that blaming them for spending their time in ways you don’t approve of isn’t helping.

            • HowAbt2morrow@futurology.todayEnglish
              5·
              2 days ago

              I get it 100% because it’s quite basic. What’s interesting here though is most people don’t have access to very clean water, quality sources of foods and simple healthcare. I suspect, because of the clear access to internet connections, is that the majority of the folks whining here about not having access to saunas are most likely in the top 5% of the planet earth without realizing it or accepting it. But no saunaaaaa boooo hooo.

              • Soup@lemmy.world
                64·
                2 days ago

                What an abyssmal, inconsiderate take. Yea, other people have it worse, that’s a dead-end way of thinking that only lowers floor and excuses how exploited everyone is.

  • Pennomi@lemmy.worldEnglish
    29·
    2 days ago

    The results showed several significant differences between people who used saunas regularly and those who did not. Sauna bathers were generally younger, more often male, and more likely to be physically active. They also smoked less, although they tended to drink alcohol more frequently—typically two to three times per week. Despite this, they reported better overall health.

    Exercising more and smoking less seems to imply that it might not be the sauna that’s actually helping. I am not sure why they aren’t trying to stamp out these confounding variables instead of celebrating them.

    • ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      9·
      2 days ago

      more often male

      You heard it here first, folks: saunas change your sex.

      Edit: Or should I say “Regular sauna users report being more male”?

      • Clent@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        31·
        2 days ago

        Any study that reports as “People who do x, report y” is not science.

        Self reporting is worthless.

        At best this is inspiration for a scientific study that starts by showing if it is true by controlling for various factors.

        In the case of a null hypothesis, delve into what causes these false beliefs to be reported.

  • jol@discuss.tchncs.de
    281·
    2 days ago

    Did they account for the fact that people who live in countries where there are saunas are just happier?