Swedish study: Women seek mental recovery in saunas, men prioritize socializing

Women seek mental rejuvenation in saunas, while men are more inclined to use them for social interaction, according to a new study from Luleå University of Technology. The research, which surveyed 588 regular sauna users across Sweden, is the first of its kind in the country to explore the motivations behind sauna bathing.

While both genders find value in various aspects of the sauna experience, the study highlights a notable difference in emphasis. "Women brought up the idea of gathering strength, being free from connection for a while and reducing stress," explained Åsa Engström, a professor at Luleå University of Technology. "This is not to say it's unimportant for men, but we saw that mental recovery was of greater significance for women." The study also indicated that women reported improved sleep and reduced pain more frequently than men.

Conversely, men more often pointed to the social aspect of saunas. "For both men and women, all these parts were important to some extent. What we have looked at is what the individuals chose to emphasize in their answers," Engström noted. The research aimed to create a comprehensive picture of sauna bathing, incorporating cultural and traditional elements to better understand its potential effects on health and well-being.

"I think it's very interesting to investigate sauna bathing when we live in such a stressful time," Engström added. The study, published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health, identified four central motives for sauna use: mental recovery, social community, purification of body and soul, and physical health.

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Bastu bad kan ha betydelse i en stressig tid.