THE OUTDOOR SAUNA LIFESTYLE
A Wildhut outdoor sauna is a contemporary modernist take on one of the world's most ancient and time honoured rituals, rooted in the rich sauna cultures of the Baltics and Finland yet designed with a distinctly British sensibility. Every detail, from the carefully selected heaters to the extraordinary natural properties of Grade A timber, is chosen with intention to create an authentic and deeply restorative sauna experience.
In traditional sauna bathing, the contrast between heat and cold is as essential as the sauna itself. Immersing yourself in glorious, steamy heat and stepping outside to embrace the cold, draws you deeper into the natural world. Cool air, a cold shower, an ice plunge or a wild dip connects you to the healing power of the elements. It stimulates blood supply, elevates the heart rate and nurtures a profound sense of physical and mental wellbeing.
A Wildhut garden sauna offers an extraordinary opportunity to disconnect from modern stress and reconnect with yourself, with others and the natural world. It also combines the unrivalled health benefits of a traditional Finnish style sauna with an elevated sauna experience that you’ll struggle to beat.
SAUNA SCIENCE
The health benefits of regular traditional sauna bathing are significant. A large body of scientific research now supports what ancient cultures have known for centuries — that immersing oneself in the ritual of heat, steam and cold water is one of the most powerful and accessible tools available for the pursuit of exceptional health and wellbeing.
The cardiovascular health benefits are simply staggering. Other benefits include improved heart health; immunity; respiratory health; mental health (including lower risk of Alzheimer's and dementia) and overall health & longevity and quality of life.
We invite you to explore it.
Read more about sauna science here...
A study by Laukkanen et al. (2015) found that the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) for those using a traditional sauna two to three times a week was 22% lower. Sauna use from four to seven times a week resulted in a reduced risk of 63%, compared to those bathing just once a week. Similar patterns were observed for coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality, with significant trends.
The KIHD Finnish longitudinal cohort study analysed the risk of developing a psychotic disorder in 2,138 men without pre-existing psychotic disorders. This study revealed that men who used a traditional sauna 4-7 times per week were at a 77% reduced annual risk of psychosis when compared to men who used the sauna once per week.
Follow up analyses suggest that frequent sauna use is associated with a 65% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and 66% lower risk of all cause dementia.
So what’s the difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna?
Among many bold claims of the health benefits of infrared saunas, the evidence base is small. An infrared sauna is a form of heat therapy, with proven benefits for sports and pain recovery, but the intense, steamy heat of a traditional sauna with hot stones is just as effective and offers huge health benefits for longevity.
AT A GLANCE
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SAUNA
HEART HEALTH
A sauna causes similar physical responses to moderate exercise.
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It can help rheumatic disorders such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches and back pain.
REDUCE DISEASE
Associated with reduced risk of vascular diseases and better quality of life.
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What’s more, sauna bathing has been proven to dramatically reduce cortisol levels, linked to anxiety, depression and chronic stress. A Finnish longitudinal cohort study analysed the risk of developing a psychotic disorder in 2,138 men without pre-existing conditions and revealed that traditional sauna use 4-7 times a week results in a 77% reduced risk of psychosis, compared to men who used the sauna once a week.
RESPIRATORY HEALTH
Improves your cardiorespiratory system and oxygen flow.
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The study compared traditional sauna users bathing once a week; 2-3 times a week and 4-7 times a week. 2-3 sauna sessions reduced the risk of sudden cardiac death by 22% and for those bathing 4-7 times a week, the risk was 63% lower. Similar, significant patterns were observed for coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and mortality.
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Similar to a brisk walk, regular sauna bathing can lower your blood pressure, improve blood vessel function and maintain a healthy heart.
Frequent sauna bathing in a traditional (Nordic) sauna is linked to reduced all-cause mortality. Research by Laukkanen et al demonstrated that the risk of sudden cardiac death for people sauna bathing 4-7 times per week was 63% lower and 22% lower for those bathing once a week. Similar patterns observed for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease, with significant trends.
Source: University of Bristol: Laukkanen, J. A., Laukkanen, T., & Kunutsor, S. K. (2018). Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(8), 1111-1121
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Including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive disease, pulmonary disease, musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia; reduced risk of psychosis and better health-related quality of life.
Source: Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence
Jari A. Laukkanen, MD, PhD; Tanjaniina Laukkanen, MSc; and Setor K. Kunutsor, MD, PhD
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Moderate (2-3 sessions/week) to high (4-7 sessions/week) frequency traditional sauna bathing was associated with a reduced risk of respiratory diseases - defined as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or pneumonia. Frequent sauna bathing improves the ability of arteries to expand and adapt to changes in blood volume, with minimal changes in blood pressure. Your heart, blood vessels, lungs, and airways work together to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues and remove carbon dioxide and other waste products.
Source: University of Bristol: Laukkanen, J. A., Laukkanen, T., & Kunutsor, S. K. (2018). Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(8), 1111-1121
REDUCE INFLAMMATION
Balances your nervous system, and improve cholesterol levels.
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It found sauna bathing 4-7 times per week was linked to a 66% lower likelihood of a dementia diagnosis, against those who only sauna once a week. They were also 65% less likely to receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
BRAIN HEALTH
Decreased risk of Dementia and Alzheimer disease.
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This is done by easing joint & muscle pain and eliminating lactic acid build-up.
BOOST IMMUNITY
Increases white blood cells, which help the body fight infection.
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This includes reducing levels of toxins including lead, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury and other harmful chemicals. Sauna bathing also deeply cleanses your skin, drawing out bacteria from sweat ducts, cleansing the pores and improving capillary circulation, leading to clearer, softer skin.
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Frequent sauna bathing in a traditional sauna has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, balance the nervous system, improve cholesterol levels and increase the flexibility of your arteries.
Source: Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence
Jari A. Laukkanen, MD, PhD; Tanjaniina Laukkanen, MSc; and Setor K. Kunutsor, MD, PhD
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Finnish men who had four to seven sauna sessions a week, compared with those who had one sauna session per week, had a 66% and 65% reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease, respectively. The authors state that this could be stimulated by the cardiovascular benefits explained above, or the fact that traditional sauna bathing is an enjoyable activity that prevents or delays the development of these memory diseases.
Source: Kunutsor SK, Laukkanen T, Laukkanen JA. Sauna bathing reduces the risk of respiratory diseases: a long-term prospective cohort study. Eur J Epidemiol. 2017 Dec;32(12):1107-1111. doi: 10.1007/s10654-017-0311-6. Epub 2017 Sep 13. PMID: 28905164.
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A study compared the effects of Finnish sauna bathing on athletes and non-athletes by measuring body weight, stress hormone levels, and immune system markers before and after a sauna session.
After the sauna, both groups showed an increase in several types of white blood cells, which help the body fight infection. However, athletes experienced a larger increase in some of these immune cells than non-athletes.
Source: Pilch W, Pokora I, Szyguła Z, et al. Effect of a single Finnish sauna session on white blood cell profile and cortisol levels in athletes and non-athletes. J Hum Kinet. 2013;39:127-135.