Health and the Finnish Origins of the Hot Tub
Spa people are some of the most interesting people in the world. It’s almost like a culture all on its own, of people who are united in some special way because they have decided to make space in their lives for relaxing. It’s a very healthy way to relax, too, and your body will certainly thank you. It might feel, at times, that you’ve discovered a new invention in your hot tub, and think how this kind of rejuvenation was not possible until modern times. Although our hot tubs are state of the art, using the most advanced technologies to make a product that is technically remarkable, and aesthetically pleasing, the idea itself is very, very old.
Looking at something as appealing as hot springs, for example, we get the sense that this need to be in hot water to relieve stress is as old as people are. There is evidence to support this notion, and there is an enormously fascinating history to the hot tub. You probably know about the famous Roman baths, which came from ideas the Greeks had about bathing and health, as well as the strong social component to the bathing rituals. They have also been extremely popular in places like Finland, where the tradition of the sauna goes back to at least the 16th century.
It’s probably much earlier than the 16th century, but that’s when the written records start for saunas. They have been an integral part of the Finnish household for centuries, and they have highly evolved rituals for their communal saunas. They have been places for cooking, living, and even giving birth. There are some fascinating theories about how this might be one of the reasons for the Finns’ reputation for strength and stamina, and they claim that it’s absolutely related. There are many other places in Europe, too, where saunas are particularly central to the culture, and it’s a tradition that continues here in the U.S., with the popularity for the hot tub. Enjoy!
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