{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T14:11:06Z","timestamp":1784815866543,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":77,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]],"date-time":"2026-07-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784592000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]],"date-time":"2026-07-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784592000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Qual Health Res"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Sauna bathing, a centuries-old tradition with roots in Nordic cultures, is increasingly embraced in contemporary wellness practices across Western societies. Although the physiological benefits of sauna use are well documented, its psychological effects remain underexplored. The present study investigated the lived experiences of regular sauna users and their perceptions of its impact on mental well-being. A mixed-methods approach was employed: a preliminary survey identified suitable participants, followed by in-depth semi-structured interviews with 11 regular users of Finnish-style saunas (aged 22\u201349, all white Europeans). The qualitative data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Sauna use was consistently described as supportive of mental well-being by fostering emotional regulation, stress relief, and social connection. Three key domains of psychological engagement were identified: connection to self, to others, and to nature. Across these, sauna bathing was experienced as both a personal and communal ritual\u2014a space for self-care, introspection, and authentic social interaction. Themes included emotional release, personal growth, trust, and sensory immersion in natural elements. Reported psychological effects extended beyond sauna sessions into daily life, including improved mood, pain relief, clarity of thought, and reduced feelings of isolation. Overall, sauna bathing emerged as a low-barrier, non-clinical practice that may support mental health and contribute to public health strategies addressing stress and loneliness.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/10497323261462404","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]],"date-time":"2026-07-21T14:54:16Z","timestamp":1784645656000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Mental Well-Being and Regular Sauna Bathing: A Phenomenological Study of Psychological Experiences and Perceived Impact"],"prefix":"10.1177","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-0895-457X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nina","family":"Magatova","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Exeter"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"David Francis","family":"Hunt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Exeter"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jennifer","family":"Lay","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Exeter"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_7_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7575\/aiac.ijels.v.5n.2p.9"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_3_1","volume-title":"Individual safety perceptions of women in public space: Towards socio-spatial indicators for improving the environment","author":"Allessie B. C.","year":"2022","unstructured":"Allessie B. C. (2022). Individual safety perceptions of women in public space: Towards socio-spatial indicators for improving the environment. (Master\u2019s thesis). Wageningen University & Research; Technical University of Delft. Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS). https:\/\/openresearch.amsterdam\/en\/page\/120547\/individual-safety-perceptions-of-women-in-public-space"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_4_1","volume-title":"Self-efficacy: The exercise of control","author":"Bandura A.","year":"1997","unstructured":"Bandura A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W H Freeman."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/153537020322801023"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0294137"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_7_1","volume-title":"Well-being and health in youth policy","author":"Council of the European Union","year":"2023","unstructured":"Council of the European Union. (2023). Well-being and health in youth policy. https:\/\/www.consilium.europa.eu\/en\/policies\/mental-health\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_8_1","volume-title":"Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches","author":"Creswell J. W.","year":"2013","unstructured":"Creswell J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.","edition":"3"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5502\/ijw.v2i3.4"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/22423982.2024.2419698"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychsport.2012.04.007"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_12_1","volume-title":"Global portable sauna market insights, forecast to 2029","author":"Global Info Research","year":"2023","unstructured":"Global Info Research. (2023). Global portable sauna market insights, forecast to 2029. https:\/\/www.giiresearch.com\/report\/moi1440287-sauna-spa-market-share-analysis-industry-trends.html"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_13_1","volume-title":"Hydrothermal initiative trends for 2023","author":"Global Wellness Institute","year":"2023","unstructured":"Global Wellness Institute. (2023, June 15). Hydrothermal initiative trends for 2023. Global Wellness Institute. https:\/\/globalwellnessinstitute.org\/global-wellness-institute-blog\/2023\/06\/15\/hydrothermal-initiative-trends-for-2023\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0002-9343(00)00671-9"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.ajp.2013.12111395"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph182312707"},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_3_7_17_1","first-page":"913","article-title":"Thinking about thinking: People underestimate how enjoyable and engaging just waiting is","volume":"153","author":"Hatano A.","year":"2022","unstructured":"Hatano A., Wilson T. D., Gilbert D. T. (2022). Thinking about thinking: People underestimate how enjoyable and engaging just waiting is. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 153(4), 913\u2013938. Advance online publication. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/xge0001242","journal-title":"Journal of Experimental Psychology: General"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12160-010-9210-8"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_19_1","author":"Hitsuwari J.","year":"2024","unstructured":"Hitsuwari J., Hayashi T., Woodman K., Du M., Morita M., Takiguchi S., Yamashita Y., Nomura M. (2024). Sauna and mindfulness: How sauna bathing affects psychological states and traits related to bodily sensations and emotions. [Preprint]. Research Square. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.21203\/rs.3.rs-4991388\/v1","journal-title":"Sauna and mindfulness: How sauna bathing affects psychological states and traits related to bodily sensations and emotions"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/2050157920927062"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctim.2019.03.012"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_22_1","volume-title":"Sauna and solarium businesses in the UK \u2014 industry statistics","author":"IBISWorld","year":"2024","unstructured":"IBISWorld. (2024). Sauna and solarium businesses in the UK \u2014 industry statistics. https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\/united-kingdom\/number-of-businesses\/saunas-solariums\/14572\/#:\u223c:text=How\/many\/businesses\/are\/there,increase\/of\/16.6\/from\/2023"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jamapsychiatry.2016.1031"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_24_1","volume-title":"Monitoring and tackling loneliness in Europe: Released data from the first EU-wide survey","author":"Joint Research Centre","year":"2023","unstructured":"Joint Research Centre. (2023). Monitoring and tackling loneliness in Europe: Released data from the first EU-wide survey. https:\/\/joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu\/jrc-news-and-updates\/monitoring-and-tackling-loneliness-europe-released-data-first-eu-wide-survey-2023-06-06_en"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1253\/circj.68.1146"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0735-1097(01)01824-1"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/biomedicines10081929"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_28_1","volume-title":"The restoration of the self","author":"Kohut H.","year":"1977","unstructured":"Kohut H. (1977). The restoration of the self. International Universities Press."},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_3_7_29_1","first-page":"262","article-title":"How the sauna affects the endocrine system","volume":"20","author":"Kukkonen-Harjula K.","year":"1988","unstructured":"Kukkonen-Harjula K., Kauppinen K. (1988). How the sauna affects the endocrine system. Annals of Clinical Research, 20(4), 262\u2013266. https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/3218898\/","journal-title":"Annals of Clinical Research"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3402\/ijch.v65i3.18102"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.exger.2022.111906"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/23328940.2023.2300623"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10654-017-0335-y"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afw212"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41371-017-0008-z"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jamainternmed.2014.8187"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/22423982.2025.2595806"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cpr.2016.10.011"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/1467-8624.00164"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_40_1","author":"Luurila O. J.","year":"1980","unstructured":"Luurila O. J. (1980). Arrhythmias and other cardiovascular responses during Finnish sauna and exercise testing in healthy men and post-myocardial infarction patients, Almqvist & Wiksell.","journal-title":"Arrhythmias and other cardiovascular responses during Finnish sauna and exercise testing in healthy men and post-myocardial infarction patients"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2796.1992.tb00938.x"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/adc.44.235.291"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/01.psy.0000171812.67767.8f"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_44_1","volume-title":"The myth of normal: Trauma, illness, and healing in a toxic culture","author":"Mat\u00e9 G.","year":"2022","unstructured":"Mat\u00e9 G., Mat\u00e9 D. (2022). The myth of normal: Trauma, illness, and healing in a toxic culture. Avery."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_45_1","volume-title":"Sauna and spa market size & share analysis \u2014 growth trends & forecasts (2024\u20132029)","author":"Mordor Intelligence","year":"2024","unstructured":"Mordor Intelligence. (2024). Sauna and spa market size & share analysis \u2014 growth trends & forecasts (2024\u20132029). Mordor Intelligence. https:\/\/www.mordorintelligence.com\/industry-reports\/sauna-and-spa-market"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_46_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/01.ede.0000152903.55579.15"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_47_1","volume-title":"Cognitive health and older adults","author":"National Institute on Aging","unstructured":"National Institute on Aging (n.d.). Cognitive health and older adults. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/brain-health\/cognitive-health-and-older-adults"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_48_1","volume-title":"Critical issues in qualitative research methods","author":"Morse J. M.","year":"2015","unstructured":"Morse J. M. (2015). Critical issues in qualitative research methods. Sage Publications."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4135\/9781412995658"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_50_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2026.119061"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_51_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0146167217733073"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_52_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/0304-3959(92)90186-F"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_53_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3402\/ijch.v61i3.17474"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_54_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.exger.2021.111509"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_55_1","volume-title":"Qualitative research and evaluation methods","author":"Patton M. Q.","year":"2015","unstructured":"Patton M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.","edition":"4"},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_3_7_56_1","first-page":"220","article-title":"Traditional use of the sauna for hygiene and health in Finland","volume":"20","author":"Per\u00e4salo J.","year":"1988","unstructured":"Per\u00e4salo J. (1988). Traditional use of the sauna for hygiene and health in Finland. Annals of Clinical Research, 20(4), 220\u2013223. https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/3218891\/","journal-title":"Annals of Clinical Research"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_57_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/24721735.2020.1770984"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_3_7_58_1","first-page":"58","article-title":"Attitudes toward mixed methods research in psychology: The best of both worlds?","volume":"9","author":"Povee K.","year":"2015","unstructured":"Povee K., Roberts L. D. (2015). Attitudes toward mixed methods research in psychology: The best of both worlds? International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, 9(1), 58\u201372. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5172\/mra.2015.9.1.59","journal-title":"International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_59_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2017-097914"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_60_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10902-006-9019-0"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_61_1","volume-title":"Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research","author":"Smith J. A.","year":"2009","unstructured":"Smith J. A., Flowers P., Larkin M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research. Sage Publications."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_62_1","first-page":"51","volume-title":"Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods","author":"Smith J. A.","year":"2003","unstructured":"Smith J. A., Osborn M. (2003). Interpretative phenomenological analysis. In Smith J. A. (Ed.), Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods (pp. 51\u201380). Sage Publications."},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_3_7_63_1","first-page":"236","article-title":"The sauna and sauna bathing habits \u2014 A psychoanalytic point of view","volume":"20","author":"Sorri P.","year":"1988","unstructured":"Sorri P. (1988). The sauna and sauna bathing habits \u2014 A psychoanalytic point of view. Annals of Clinical Research, 20(4), 236\u2013239. https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/3218893\/","journal-title":"Annals of Clinical Research"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_64_1","volume-title":"Sauna Aufguss: The rise of the ritual","author":"Spa Executive","year":"2023","unstructured":"Spa Executive. (2023). Sauna Aufguss: The rise of the ritual. https:\/\/spaexecutive.com\/2023\/03\/20\/sauna-aufguss-the-rise-of-the-ritual\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_65_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10902-023-00661-3"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_66_1","volume-title":"Age of opportunity: Lessons from the new science of adolescence","author":"Steinberg L.","year":"2014","unstructured":"Steinberg L. (2014). Age of opportunity: Lessons from the new science of adolescence. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_67_1","volume-title":"Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource","author":"Taylor S. J.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Taylor S. J., Bogdan R., DeVault M. (1985). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource. Wiley."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_68_1","volume-title":"Saunaverse festival London 2024","author":"The Saunaverse","year":"2024","unstructured":"The Saunaverse. (2024). Saunaverse festival London 2024. The Saunaverse. https:\/\/www.saunaverse.co.uk"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_69_1","volume-title":"Liminality and the modern: Living through the in-between","author":"Thomassen B.","year":"2014","unstructured":"Thomassen B. (2014). Liminality and the modern: Living through the in-between. Ashgate."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_70_1","volume-title":"The ritual process: Structure and anti-structure","author":"Turner V.","year":"1969","unstructured":"Turner V. (1969). The ritual process: Structure and anti-structure. Aldine."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_71_1","volume-title":"World population prospects 2022","author":"United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division","year":"2022","unstructured":"United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. (2022). World population prospects 2022. https:\/\/population.un.org\/wpp\/"},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_3_7_72_1","first-page":"230","article-title":"The sauna and bathing in different countries","volume":"20","author":"Valtakari P.","year":"1988","unstructured":"Valtakari P. (1988). The sauna and bathing in different countries. Annals of Clinical Research, 20(4), 230\u2013235. https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/3064698\/","journal-title":"Annals of Clinical Research"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_73_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1250830"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_74_1","volume-title":"Playing and reality","author":"Winnicott D. W.","year":"1971","unstructured":"Winnicott D. W. (1971). Playing and reality. Tavistock Publications."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_75_1","author":"Woo M.","year":"2025","unstructured":"Woo M., Jang I., Lee M., Liechty T. (2025). \u201cSauna is my nest!\u201d: Sense of community among Korean middle-aged women enjoying sauna bathing. Leisure Sciences. Advance online publication. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/01490400.2025.2566169","journal-title":"\u201cSauna is my nest!\u201d: Sense of community among Korean middle-aged women enjoying sauna bathing. Leisure Sciences"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_76_1","volume-title":"European regional status report on preventing violence against children 2022","author":"World Health Organization","year":"2022","unstructured":"World Health Organization. (2022). European regional status report on preventing violence against children 2022. https:\/\/www.who.int\/europe\/publications\/i\/item\/9789289057813"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_77_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajh\/hpx102"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_78_1","unstructured":"Zestcott C. A. Auerbach G. Faris J. Tietje K. Juntunen J. (2024). Sweating out the stress: Examining the psychological benefits of sauna bathing. Sauna Studies. https:\/\/www.saunastudies.com\/lit_sweating-out-the-stress\/"}],"container-title":["Qualitative Health Research"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/10497323261462404","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/10497323261462404","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/10497323261462404","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T13:57:57Z","timestamp":1784815077000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/10497323261462404"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]]},"references-count":77,"alternative-id":["10.1177\/10497323261462404"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/10497323261462404","relation":{},"ISSN":["1049-7323","1552-7557"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1049-7323","type":"print"},{"value":"1552-7557","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,21]]},"article-number":"10497323261462404"}}