I have a friend who, pre marriage, liked to schedule first dates at the Bondi Icebergs sauna (specifically on a weekday). She didn't believe in potentially wasting a sacred Friday or Saturday slot, but also found that sweating in a state of near nakedness was an effective way to break down barriers. No clothes, no alcohol, no phones and no room for awkwardness or immaturity. It became clear very quickly if there was a connection. And worse case (i.e. a bad date), at least she got a sauna in.
Bathing culture in general has gained a lot of traction in the past few years. I think it's aligned to our increasing reliance on technology and the associated burn out. We're tired, lonely, detached and under pressure. Life just feels harder and heavier right now.
Wellness rituals, like a sweaty sauna, are a balm for all of the above. As a practice, it works well alone or with strangers, but in a bid to habit stack, people are viewing it as a way to socialise. This goes for dating and friendship, but potentially our professional lives, as well. We have standing desks, office treadmills... should we strategise and do deals in the sauna, too?
In Finland, where ritualistic bathing culture is prevalent, it's common to conduct business meetings in the sauna. It's considered informal but facilitates connection; the egalitarian atmosphere and lack of clothing level the playing field. The Finnish parliamentary house even has its own sauna chamber for MPs to debate in. It's considered a place to relax, have honest discussions and share true opinions. The intimacy of it all cultivates a sense of vulnerability, too. You're exposed, and thus honest. Status symbols, like suits, bags, jewellery and watches, are left outside. Distractions are also minimal. There's no iPhones. No need to screen share. No shaky internet, no accidentally putting yourself on mute. It's the antithesis of a board room.
The Wall Street Journal recently declared the sauna as the hottest place to network. Upmarket wellness hubs are taking aim at "ambitious, hardworking urbanites" who care about their careers as much as their health. They want to meet people in real life (the post-COVID zoom hangover still lingers), but they don't always want it to revolve around alcohol. Maybe a sauna offers the same kind of deal-closing social lubrication? Even Substacker Emily Sundberg of Feed Me declared she's ready to be invited to a business meeting in a sauna. I think I am too.
This is essentially an extension of workplace wellness, where professionals, and sometimes the businesses they work for, are tying to integrate healthy habits into everyday life. We know that hours of sitting is bad for our posture, not to mention the constant peering down at our phones (a habit my Osteopath tells me has changed the physical structure of my neck). And then there's the alcohol. For so long, corporate culture has been fuelled by three-martini lunches (not to mention the excessive consumption of caffeine). But as we continue to reevaluate our professional lives, we're chasing balance. Yes to martinis, but yes to balance and a regulated nervous system. Yes to getting out of fight or flight. An occasional workplace sauna might be the perfect way to do so. I'm into it.
Sauna and wellness centres to try:
Nimbus & Co
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With private rooms and even an outdoor contrast therapy space, Nimbus & Co affords all the privacy you need for a proper catch up in a beautiful setting.
Capybara
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Located in Surry Hills, Capybara is an open communal bathhouse where quiet conversations are allowed. You can move between the mineral bath, sauna and cold plunge at your own leisure.
Slow House
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Dark and sexy, Slow House offers a mineral pool, large sauna and multiple ice baths for a well-rounded bathing experience in Bondi.
Laura Halls Pilates
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Above her referral only Woollahra Pilates studio, Laura Halls has a recover room with full body LED light, compression boots and an infrared sauna. She's just started corporate bookings, too (so consider this your sign to book).
Sense of Self
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If you're in Melbourne, Sense of Self is a tranquil space to soak, steam and recentre (just be sure not to book a quiet session if you want to have a chat).
Soak Bathhouse
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Soak has locations all over Australia, including Sydney, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Brisbane. Each spot functions as a fully serviced bathhouse, plus massage and other specialised services. You can even sing up for a membership.
Ember Bathhouse
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Located in Perth, Ember offers saunas, steam rooms, cold plunging and mineral pools for an immersive mind and body reset.
And if you're looking to take your business meetings into your home, we've rounded up a list of the best at-home infrared saunas for serious rest and recovery.
Images: @senseofself
