The other evening I came home from work, stressed out about the Coronavirus, as many of us are, and decided to light the sauna to ease my anxiety. As it was a nice day, I decided to use the time it took the heat sauna to rake up those leaves that got matted into the lawn under a November snowfall. The breeze was out of the south which helped push the leaves into the hedgerow, but it also apparently helped fan the fire on my mobile wood- fired unit. By the time I put my rake down and stripped down for a relaxing sauna, the thermometer was pinned at 235 degrees! Not one to shy way from heat, I jumped on in anyhow.
Always inquisitive, I use such opportunities to add to my knowledge about the sauna. I wondered how hot different surfaces really were with the heat so high so, with only a towel on, I ran to the shop and grabbed my digital temperature gun. I use this gadget to test my saunas to make sure they are hot but also safe. The ceiling and walls were close to 300° near the stove, the walls were 230-250° above the bench, the benches were °200 and the lower benches were about 175°. The rocks were 450°- perfect for a good löyly- and the stove body glowing visibly red in the afternoon light, so about 1000° (the brightness of the glow corresponds to specific temperatures). The floor was predictably the coolest surface at 125°.
According to the Center for Disease Control, viruses cannot tolerate heat above about 167° F. Therefore, everything in a hot sauna from the lower bench up is guaranteed to be virus free! No fears or worries as I bask in the heat.
That being said, despite what we all wish, the sauna will not kill a virus that has already infected you, nor will it likely destroy a virus ejected in a sneeze. The sauna will not cure you or protect you if your sauna mates are sick; in these desperate times, it’s probably best to avoid group saunas with strangers. But, taking a regular sauna will lower your stress level, boost your immunity and help you sleep better- all in a virus free space. Maybe it’s time to think about having your own sauna so you can create your own virus-free and worry-free sanctuary.