Why saunas matter in Finland

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Today, we're at Löyly in Helsinki to

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walk you through a very special cultural

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tradition here in Finland, the sauna

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experience.

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Find out why the sauna has become the

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bedrock of my country and a few tips on

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how to sauna like a true Finn.

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I'm Jasper Pääkkönen. I'm an actor and

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owner here at Löyly. Though many may

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think of a sauna as a luxury, to finish

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people they're an essential part of

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daily life and a fundamental part of our

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culture. In this country of just 5 and

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1/2 million people, there are over 3

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saunas and counting.

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This is a Finnish sauna experience.

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Almost every Finnish home, vacation

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cottage, apartment building, and hotel

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have a sauna. And here in Helsinki, we

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have several public saunas like Löyly.

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Public saunas offer a social

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environment, sense of community, and a

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way to pause in the midst of everyday

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life.

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Before you head to sweat it out in the

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sauna, make sure you're hydrated. The

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sauna is meant to be a cleansing

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experience. Some people might even say

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spiritual. Washing before entering is

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essential, so jump in the shower before

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you get in.

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It's customary to be naked in the sauna,

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although in public mixed saunas, bathing

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suits are required.

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Once you're ready, come meet me in the

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sauna.