“The sauna is one place your phone doesn’t bother you”

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For event coordinator Helmi Hakala, the sauna means total relaxation. She enjoys saunas that are not too hot and prefers to move down to the bottom step if others throw too much water on the stones.

Helmi Hakala does not take saunas for the silence, like most Finns do. Instead, she enjoys a nice relaxing chat with a friend or group of acquaintances.

“I often go with my friend to the gym at the Itäkeskus swimming hall. After our workout, we go for a swim and a sauna.”

As a regular visitor to the saunas at Helsinki’s swimming halls, Helmi has noticed that even strangers in public saunas often start talking to each other. Especially at the Yrjönkatu swimming hall, all sorts of things are discussed in the sauna.

“I personally don’t usually participate in these conversations in public saunas, but it is nice to listen to all the stories.”

If she is by herself, Helmi gets lost in her thoughts in the sauna. For her, the sauna is above all a place to relax. The best thing about the sauna is that it is one place where your phone doesn’t bother you.

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Get used to the cold before taking an icy dip

Helmi also likes taking a sauna by herself. The event coordinator heats the electric sauna in her apartment about once a month, but in summertime the smoke sauna at her family cottage is the best.

“I prefer to heat the sauna in moderation so that it produces a mild heat.”

Even though Helmi loves saunas, she does not enjoy excessive heat. If others throw too much water on the stones, she prefers to move down to the bottom step.

“Sometimes my friends tease me that, as a Finn, I should be able to withstand the heat better, but I disagree.”

She usually does not like to spend too long in the sauna either. One time in the sauna is enough, after which it is time for a wash.

As an avid swimmer, Helmi swims not only indoors but also outdoors in wintertime. She recommends the Kuusijärvi lake in Vantaa for winter swimming, because there you can also take a sauna afterwards. Experience has taught her not to run straight from the sauna into the icy water, and vice versa.

“I like to adjust slowly to the change in temperature.”

Name: Helmi Hakala
Age: 29
Lives in: Herttoniemi, Helsinki
Takes a sauna: Around once a week in public saunas and once a month at home.
Sauna motto: “It’s ok to sit on the bottom step if the sauna’s too hot.”

Close-up of a pair of feet with pink woollen socks on
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Helmi’s top three sauna tips

Take a seat cover with you: “It’s good to take your own seat cover or towel with you into public saunas, as swimsuits are usually not permitted unless it’s a mixed sauna.”

Get used to the cold by breathing deeply: “Fill your lungs with air before dipping into the icy water. Adjust to the cold water slowly while breathing out at the same time. Don’t try to swim the first time, just take a quick dip to get yourself wet. Afterwards, it’s good to wait a little before going back into the hot sauna.”

Recover properly: “Remember to drink lots of water, also after your sauna. If you go ice swimming, put on a pair of woollen socks afterwards.”

Text: Tiina Katriina Tikkanen

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For event coordinator Helmi Hakala, the sauna means total relaxation. She enjoys saunas that are not too hot.