{"id":3262,"date":"2024-10-10T09:06:04","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T06:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.uef.fi\/on-the-move\/?p=3262"},"modified":"2024-10-10T09:06:05","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T06:06:05","slug":"experiencing-finnish-sauna-culture-and-conquer-nordic-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uef.fi\/on-the-move\/2024\/10\/10\/experiencing-finnish-sauna-culture-and-conquer-nordic-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Experiencing Finnish Sauna Culture and conquer Nordic Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Writer: Frieda Theil<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest concerns for many international students is the long, cold Finnish winter. The perpetual darkness, the lack of vitamin D, combined with temperatures that many are not familiar with from their home countries, is something that you can hardly prepare for in advance. Sure, you can think about it, but how it truly feels and how you\u2019ll mentally and physically cope with the cold and darkness is something you only really know when you experience it firsthand. When I arrived here in August 2023, we were repeatedly told during orientation week to enjoy the sun while it’s still there. So, I soaked up every hour of sunlight, bought some vitamin D, and as the days grew shorter, I mentally prepared for the winter as much as possible. But I must say, although I consider myself someone who enjoys the cold, my first full Finnish winter\u2014with temperatures as low as \u201330\u00b0C and only a few hours of sunlight over nearly 7 months\u2014was a real challenge. Not the cold itself, but more so the lack of sunshine on my face and the seemingly endless snow after the new year. While my family and friends back home were already sitting outside in the garden in April, I was still cycling through snow to get to university. There were days when I felt completely unmotivated, sluggish, and lethargic without really being able to pinpoint what was missing. But during these months, I found ways and places to live with the cold and darkness, to embrace them, and recharge my energy. And one of those places I\u2019d like to introduce to you here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polar Bear, the public sauna of Joensuu, where you can experience Finnish sauna culture in its purest, most authentic form. A place that got me through many dark days and keeps me fit, healthy, and happy despite the freezing cold since I live in Joensuu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sauna is an integral part of daily life for most Finns, which explains why nearly every house and cabin in Finland has one. And I fully understand why. The sauna routine makes you happy and healthy and, especially during the dark season, is a perfect escape from the seeming isolation of your room. It\u2019s an ideal way to balance out the worries and stress of university life and enjoy nature at the same time. Joensuun J\u00e4\u00e4karhut- (in English Polar Bear) is the public sauna in Joensuu. The sauna is located right on the large Pyh\u00e4selki Lake, offering a unique view of the lake’s vastness right in front of Joensuu\u00b4s City center. So instead of taking a cold shower between sauna sessions, as is common in the Elli student dorms, you cool off directly in the lake. That alone makes the Polar Bear experience unique. Especially in the evenings, when the setting sun turns the lake into a sea of colors, it always reminds me of a postcard image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location offers beautiful views of the lake in both summer and winter, making visits worthwhile throughout the whole year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In winter, two pumps near the stair entrance to the lake keep the water moving so the area around the stairs doesn\u2019t freeze over. A large thermometer is set up at the entrance, showing both the air and water temperatures. And it\u2019s truly an experience to step into an ice hole in a frozen lake when the air is so bitterly cold that the lake even steams. I particularly recommend a visit in the morning during winter when the sun is still out, to enjoy the light, the snow, and the play of colors. And of course, to savor the sun on your face. And don’t be alarmed if your skin takes on a blotchy pattern after your first dip in the lake\u2014that’s normal! I always like to imagine that with each dip, I’m strengthening my immune system a little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Steaming<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But the sauna also has its charm in the summer. The wide view over the lake, the surrounding forests, the cold water, and in between, lounging on one of the sunbeds on the meadow by the lake, always feels like a vacation. Having such a place practically on my doorstep explains why Finland was ranked the happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row last year. An added feature is sitting among locals in the sauna, listening to their conversations, and maybe even picking up a few Finnish words. All in all, I recommend anyone living in Joensuu to visit this place. And if you like it, I highly encourage getting a membership, which definitely pays off if you plan to go regularly! More information can be found on the website (https:\/\/www.joensuunjaakarhut.fi<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A magical place right on your doorstep!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Frieda Theil, current Environmental policy and law Master Student at UEF<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Writer: Frieda Theil One of the biggest concerns for many international students is the long, cold Finnish winter. The perpetual darkness, the lack of vitamin D, combined with temperatures that many are not familiar with from their home countries, is something that you can hardly prepare for in advance. Sure, you can think about it, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[141,301,298,253,289],"tags":[58,30,255],"class_list":["post-3262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-comingtofinland","category-ice-swimming","category-sauna","category-uef-ambassador","category-winter","tag-experiences","tag-finland","tag-uef-ambassador"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nExperiencing Finnish Sauna Culture and conquer Nordic Winter - On the move<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.uef.fi\/on-the-move\/2024\/10\/10\/experiencing-finnish-sauna-culture-and-conquer-nordic-winter\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Experiencing Finnish Sauna Culture and conquer Nordic Winter - On the move\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Writer: Frieda Theil One of the biggest concerns for many international students is the long, cold Finnish winter. 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