How bathing culture boosts health: saunas, onsen and contrast therapy 

Saunas have been a way of life in the Nordic and Baltic countries for generations, as have Japanese onsen and soaking in geothermal hot springs everywhere from Iceland to Italy. Whether you choose to submerge yourself in mineral-rich spring water or bake in a sauna (traditional, infrared or steam), raising your body temperature is becoming synonymous with relaxation all around the world.

Let’s not solely focus on the ‘hot’ side of the temperature gauge, however. Contrast therapy is all the rage, seen everywhere from pop-ups on public beaches to boutique hotel offerings. Alternating between extreme hot and cold temperatures is a centuries-old practice, as demonstrated by the Romans (caldarium and frigidarium bathing), Nordic countries (wooden saunas and ice baths in frozen rivers) and Japanese (onsens alternated with cool pools). These bathing rituals don’t just improve your immune system and cardiovascular health, they also trigger higher levels of dopamine and endorphins, resulting in a natural high.

The Finns are perhaps the most well known for their sauna culture, with an impressive 3.3 million saunas for a population of just 5.4 million people. Around 90% of Finns sauna at least once a week, many also opting for an icy plunge into a river, lake or the sea. Perhaps this is why Finland frequently tops the list of the happiest countries in the world?

Sauna use, cold dips and bathing in naturally warm waters all have a myriad of physiological and psychological benefits. Yes, it is suggested that regular use can (as suggested by the Finns) make you happier, relieve stress and clear your head. After all, it’s easier to forget about worries and live in the moment when your focus is on the extreme temperatures your body is experiencing. Physically, your heart rate increases in the heat and decreases in the cold – regularly engaging in contrast therapy can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

There’s also a huge social aspect to bathing culture. Saunas and onsen are third spaces – publicly accessible places separate from home and work where you can socialise. Especially during the winter months, these communal gatherings become harder to find (here in the UK, it’s tempting to automatically head to your local pub). Saunas are a health-boosting alternative where you can relax and socialise while focusing on wellness. 

As the interest in saunas, onsen and hot-cold therapy continues to soar, hotels are taking note by adapting their spa and wellness offerings. Massages and facials are still on the menu, but contrast therapy with a variety of hot and cold bathing experiences is taking centre stage. 

Searching for hotels that embrace bathing culture in all its forms? Here are 10 retreats where you can bathe, bake and brave icy dips, from the South Tyrolean slopes to luscious Japanese forests. The first three hotels on the list are part of SLH’s newly launched Wellbeing Collection: hotels that offer meaningful rest alongside experiences that support physical, mental and emotional health, going far beyond your average spa resort.