Women's perceptions of sauna bathing and its impact on health and well-being: insights from a cross-sectional study

Sauna bathing has gained increasing attention in medical and nursing research for its potential health-enhancing properties. It may be a valuable self-care practice for women, complementing conventional healthcare in prevention of diseases and promoting health and well-being. Since most studies focus on male participants, it is important to explore women's experiences with sauna bathing and its significance for their health and well-being. The aim of this study was to examine women's perceptions of sauna bathing and its impact on their health and well-being. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire comprising 17 items and four open-ended questions, which formed a subset of a larger questionnaire. A total of 384 women sauna users participated. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Women described a range of health and well-being experiences, with sauna bathing perceived as restorative and emotionally grounding, promoting improved sleep and reduced bodily pain, yet occasionally associated with social insecurity and counterproductive effects.