Sweating together in saunas is the hottest wellness trend that Great Britain takes over

London -There may be winter and there may be a biting cold in the air, but the dozen men and women who have gripped this small sauna room in East London sweat happily in their bathing clothes.

It is more than 194 Fahrenheit here – and it is about to get even hotter.

While ice blocks that melt the hot stones with lavender oil and publish fragrant steam in the “Sauna Master” Oliver Beryl and turn on some ambient music and wave a towel in a circular movement over its head to distribute overwhelming waves of the dry heat through the room.

“Now try to find someone and lean on with him,” suggests Beryl. “Or if you want to keep eye contact with the person next to you.” A short hesitation, but most for a few minutes.

Sauna-Baden conquered London and the rest of the Great Britain in the storm, especially among trendy 20- and 30-year-olds who are interested in trying out a new pastime, which is healthier than nights in pubs and bars.

It has long been a staple for many cultures around the world, from the saunas of the Scandinavia and the welding huts of the American indigenous people to Japanese Onens and Turkish baths.

But the most popular saunas are those who emphasize the community and “connection” or offer something new next to sitting in a heated box. Think of Sauna Club Nights with DJs, saunas in combination with a poem workshop or “infusion” (ie “Infusion” in German) rituals like that of Beryl – an intensive session mixed therapy, music and fragrance.

Many locations also offer open-air ice baths next to the saunas so that people can switch between hot and cold.

“It's exciting”

“I loved the feeling of losing themselves. It is a 15-minute distance from normal life,” said Jess Carmichael when she emerged from her first “infusion” at Community Sauna Bads in Stratford, East London.

It compared the amusement that she felt with hundreds of others on New Year's Day in the icy sea.

“I think people need it right now – this warmth comes from outside and the feeling that they share an experience with others,” she added.

Charlie Duckworth, co-founder of Community Sauna Baths, said everything started in 2022 when he and fellow colleagues “Sauna Nutter's” had two small saunas in a horse hogs on a shot in the trendy quarter of Hackney.

The non -profit social enterprise proved to be so popular that it has expanded on four websites in the entire capital since then, and two more opened soon.

A large part of the stimulus for many fans is that saunas serve as a “place of community”, similar to a pub or a church, said Duckworth.

“Sauna lowers the inhibitions and also gives them a feeling of a mild euphoria, no different from the effects of social drinking, he said.” I think it's an excellent place to make contacts. “

In Great Britain, the number of public sauna locations, according to the British Sauna Society, rose to 147 this year in 2023.

“Have a little more fun with it”

Compared to countries where practice is traditional, an advantage of the British sauna culture is so new that providers “have a little more fun with it and can be more creative,” said Duckworth.

At Peckham Sauna Social in South London, weekends offer relaxed surrounding sauna nights with local DJs and a non-alcoholic cocktail bar. One of the most popular monthly meetings is the “creative writing sauna”: a short reading of poetry, followed by a chai tea and writing workshop in the lounge.

“Reading in the sauna was something that I had never done before – just hot and sweaty and dripping on the side was initially a challenge,” said Caroline, a writer who heads the workshops.

Something about sharing a chat with other half -battered strangers in the sauna seemed to encourage the participants to be more open about the parts of their ideas and writings, said third. “I also know that many of my best ideas came out of the bathroom,” she added.

Reported health benefits

In addition to reducing stress and flowing ideas, some swear by saunas and cold falls for calming inflammation of the joint and improving heart health and sleep.

Some studies continue, with one connection between the sauna at least four times a week and a reduction in the risk of psychosis in middle -aged Finnish men.

“The authentic sauna, which was well done, should be as regular as the gym, and it regularly offers what the reported health benefits offer,” said Gabrielle reason, secretary of the British Sauna Society.

These health benefits have not yet been well established – and those with high blood pressure or heart disease should inquire with their doctors before they go to a sauna and an ice pool – many converts regularly return to the mood.

“It only resets her brain in a very beautiful way,” said Callum Heinrich, who is immersed in a barrel of cold water and was still dampening his skin from the sauna. He says he takes part twice a week if he can.

“It is the best in the world for her mental health,” said Heinrich.