A growing body of scientific evidence shows that sauna sessions can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases and dementia. But is this what actually motivates people to sweat it out in extreme temperatures? Or are they going for other reasons? No one has ever asked.
To find out, a team of researchers, including industry figure Marc Cohen and lead author Joy Hussain, from Australia’s RMIT University conducted the first known global study on sauna-related habits via an online survey.
Data was gathered from 482 men and women with a mean age of 45 years, from 29 countries. A vast number came from either Finland (28.4 per cent), Australia (25.3 per cent) or the US (20.5 per cent) and this bias was noted as a study limitation, along with the fact that it was not randomised sample.
On average, respondents experienced sauna sessions once or twice a week.
The study, published in Elsevier’s Complementary Therapies in Medicine in April, found that relaxation/stress reduction was the top motivation for sauna bathing for all respondents. Other key reasons for using a sauna were to relieve aches and pains (88 per cent), to meet and talk with friends (85 per cent), to help circulation (85 per cent) and for detox (83 per cent).
Increased mental wellbeing was linked to those using a sauna more frequently (five to 15 times a month), compared to those who went less often. An interesting find given that spas are starting to focus on mental wellness, although further research is needed to confirm a definite association.
Eighty-four per cent of respondents said they slept better for one to two nights after having a sauna. Another intriguing correlation as spas continue to embrace sleep health but, once again, a link that requires more scientific investigation.
Inside the sauna, the top three activities reported were relaxation (100 per cent), talking with others (79 per cent) and meditation (68 per cent) – with the last two highlighting the need for operators to handle the balance between those who want quiet and those who don’t.
Two wider contrasting points were brought to light from the results. Firstly, people are going to saunas to help with mental health and sleep, or, in other cases, to ease back pain and musculoskeletal problems. However, there’s no research to prove that heat experiences can actually help any of these ailments.
On the other hand, respondents did not cite high blood pressure or heart conditions as motivators for using a sauna – despite scientific evidence showing it can help. Spas could have a role, no matter how small, in helping to educate people about these proven benefits.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 4
Editor's letter: Democratic wellness
To truly flourish, the spa industry needs to step outside its comfort zone and reach out to different markets with new and exciting business models, says Katie Barnes
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Boundary-pushing wellness in Iceland, self-care focus at Devarana and Civana’s equine retreat all feature in our spa menu round-up
Interview: Alexandre Cantin
Canada’s Groupe Nordik wants to open 10 nature spas, focusing on bathing and thermotherapy, by 2027. Katie Barnes talks to its VP of growth and strategy
Promotional feature: Starpool - Star quality
Wellness expert, Starpool, is known for offering complete wellness solutions with Italian design flair, enabling operators to create world class treatments and experiences
Training: Covering all bases
Resense joins forces with Lobster Ink to create an online training program for multiple spa roles
Promotional feature: Gharieni
Spa equipment innovator, Gharieni, is partnering with leading spas around the world to showcase its products to clients in real world settings, as CEO, Sammy Gharieni, explains
Research: Positive picture
ISPA’s latest US spa study shows continued growth across key metrics and pinpoints CBD and gen Z as trends. Russell Donaldson reports
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSystems - Cool customer
Rainer Bolsinger, who heads up hotel and spa sales of icelab at Zimmer MedizinSystems, and icelab customer Chenot Group, explain how cryotherapy can be incorporated into your business
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Skin deep
Biologique Recherche has spent the past 40 years developing technology and products to understand the skin on an individual level. Pierre-Louis Delapalme and Rupert Schmid tell Spa Business about the Parisian brand’s latest innovations
Research: On the move
The global physical activity market is now worth US$828bn according to a new GWI study. But what emerging trends do spas need to know about?
Promotional feature: SpaSoft - Onwards & upwards
The enhanced integration between SpaSoft and multiple PMS systems will help your team save time, remove the possibility of human error and create an elevated guest experience
Software: Monetising
How is software helping spas to navigate e-commerce and further monetise their relationship with clients
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that sauna sessions can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases and dementia. But is this what actually motivates people to sweat it out in extreme temperatures? Or are they going for other reasons? No one has ever asked.
To find out, a team of researchers, including industry figure Marc Cohen and lead author Joy Hussain, from Australia’s RMIT University conducted the first known global study on sauna-related habits via an online survey.
Data was gathered from 482 men and women with a mean age of 45 years, from 29 countries. A vast number came from either Finland (28.4 per cent), Australia (25.3 per cent) or the US (20.5 per cent) and this bias was noted as a study limitation, along with the fact that it was not randomised sample.
On average, respondents experienced sauna sessions once or twice a week.
The study, published in Elsevier’s Complementary Therapies in Medicine in April, found that relaxation/stress reduction was the top motivation for sauna bathing for all respondents. Other key reasons for using a sauna were to relieve aches and pains (88 per cent), to meet and talk with friends (85 per cent), to help circulation (85 per cent) and for detox (83 per cent).
Increased mental wellbeing was linked to those using a sauna more frequently (five to 15 times a month), compared to those who went less often. An interesting find given that spas are starting to focus on mental wellness, although further research is needed to confirm a definite association.
Eighty-four per cent of respondents said they slept better for one to two nights after having a sauna. Another intriguing correlation as spas continue to embrace sleep health but, once again, a link that requires more scientific investigation.
Inside the sauna, the top three activities reported were relaxation (100 per cent), talking with others (79 per cent) and meditation (68 per cent) – with the last two highlighting the need for operators to handle the balance between those who want quiet and those who don’t.
Two wider contrasting points were brought to light from the results. Firstly, people are going to saunas to help with mental health and sleep, or, in other cases, to ease back pain and musculoskeletal problems. However, there’s no research to prove that heat experiences can actually help any of these ailments.
On the other hand, respondents did not cite high blood pressure or heart conditions as motivators for using a sauna – despite scientific evidence showing it can help. Spas could have a role, no matter how small, in helping to educate people about these proven benefits.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 4
Editor's letter: Democratic wellness
To truly flourish, the spa industry needs to step outside its comfort zone and reach out to different markets with new and exciting business models, says Katie Barnes
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Boundary-pushing wellness in Iceland, self-care focus at Devarana and Civana’s equine retreat all feature in our spa menu round-up
Interview: Alexandre Cantin
Canada’s Groupe Nordik wants to open 10 nature spas, focusing on bathing and thermotherapy, by 2027. Katie Barnes talks to its VP of growth and strategy
Promotional feature: Starpool - Star quality
Wellness expert, Starpool, is known for offering complete wellness solutions with Italian design flair, enabling operators to create world class treatments and experiences
Training: Covering all bases
Resense joins forces with Lobster Ink to create an online training program for multiple spa roles
Promotional feature: Gharieni
Spa equipment innovator, Gharieni, is partnering with leading spas around the world to showcase its products to clients in real world settings, as CEO, Sammy Gharieni, explains
Research: Positive picture
ISPA’s latest US spa study shows continued growth across key metrics and pinpoints CBD and gen Z as trends. Russell Donaldson reports
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSystems - Cool customer
Rainer Bolsinger, who heads up hotel and spa sales of icelab at Zimmer MedizinSystems, and icelab customer Chenot Group, explain how cryotherapy can be incorporated into your business
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Skin deep
Biologique Recherche has spent the past 40 years developing technology and products to understand the skin on an individual level. Pierre-Louis Delapalme and Rupert Schmid tell Spa Business about the Parisian brand’s latest innovations
Research: On the move
The global physical activity market is now worth US$828bn according to a new GWI study. But what emerging trends do spas need to know about?
Promotional feature: SpaSoft - Onwards & upwards
The enhanced integration between SpaSoft and multiple PMS systems will help your team save time, remove the possibility of human error and create an elevated guest experience
Software: Monetising
How is software helping spas to navigate e-commerce and further monetise their relationship with clients
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
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