Camping is one of the great joys of life. A good tent, some company (or not!), and the beauty of untouched nature—these are all the building blocks of an incredible camping experience.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to improve on it and possibly even make it more nourishing for the body and mind. Saunas sessions are becoming an increasingly popular way to rejuvenate the body and promote physical and mental health.
You may be familiar with the dry steam rooms that boost cardiovascular health, but they are usually experienced at an indoor facility. Now, you can have a sauna session wherever you are—even in the great outdoors.
Let’s explore how saunas can be incorporated into your camping trips for a more heart-healthy and sensory experience in the beauty of nature.
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Saunas and biohacking: what does it mean?
Saunas fall into a category of activities that involve customizing your diet and lifestyle in order to maximize cellular nutrition and general well-being, known as biohacking.
Although the name itself might sound very scientific, biohacking is really just an approach to life that entails using natural foods, habits, and activities to enhance your physical and mental health while learning more about how your body works and what it needs to thrive.
Other examples of biohacking besides sauna sessions include intermittent fasting, meditation, using wearable technology, and breathwork.
Why incorporate sauna sessions into your camping experience?
When you enter an indoor sauna, you sit in a small room with a stove that emits dry heat throughout the space.
The room’s temperature rises to around 195°F, and the heat encourages your body to release endorphins, which can minimize pain and mimic what we know as a “runner’s high” after vigorous exercise. It can reduce stress, ease pain, and even help with skin problems.
These are all great reasons to make saunas a part of your camping experience. If you’re hiking, swimming, or working through a mental block, saunas can provide that relief—among others:
- Relaxation: Saunas offer a powerful way to unwind and relax after a long day of setting up camp or hiking through the wilderness. This can be a soothing experience that benefits your body and mind.
- Muscle recovery: If you’ve been hiking or exerting yourself on your camping trip, a sauna can be exactly what you need to help your muscles recover effectively.
- Stress relief: Saunas are known for their stress-reductive capabilities, as is the experience of camping. Combining these two can result in a hugely restorative trip that helps you deal with the stresses in your life.
- Appreciate nature: If you opt for a natural sauna (and even if you use a portable one) you can experience a deep connection with nature while you sit in it.
- Warm up after a swim: Nature swimmers know that as lovely as a cold dip can be, getting warm afterward can be a real challenge. The warm, dry heat of saunas can help you regulate your temperature at any point of the day.
- Creates a unique experience: If you’re a regular camper, you might be looking for ways to elevate your frequent trips into nature. A sauna could be something that sets your next camping experience apart from the rest, making a new memory that lasts.
All in all, saunas offer you the opportunity to add depth to your camping trip and experience a new level of revitalization when you emerge from it.
Natural saunas vs. portable saunas: which should you choose?
Both natural saunas and portable saunas offer similar health benefits. However, they require very different set-up processes and equipment to construct.
Natural saunas can be built using pretty basic materials (some you’ll even find on the campsite), whereas portable saunas are specially designed tents created for easy, portable sauna set-ups wherever you are.
Let’s look at the processes for creating each:
Natural saunas
To make a natural sauna, you’ll need access to a natural water supply, a few solid, fist-sized rocks, a sand pit, a large cast-iron pot, and a tarp for creating the tent structure.
You start by creating the tent structure using your tarp (and some handy tools like rope, pegs, etc.), allowing a gap to remain for ample ventilation. Place the rocks into your cast iron pot and heat it up over a fire. Make sure the fire is a healthy distance from your tent.
When they’re hot, transfer the pot into your sand pit, which should be in the center of your tent. Then you’re done. This is a very affordable way to experience a sauna session while camping.
Portable saunas
Portable sauna tents are much easier to set up than natural saunas. They come with built-in structures and stove tools so that you can simply assemble them in a few minutes.
The main catch with portable saunas is that they need a power point to function. This can be a big problem if you are camping far into the wilderness. Plus, because they are a novelty, they are pretty pricey.
However, while they can be expensive and require some electrical input, they are undeniably easy to set up and require less experience in sauna building than the natural alternative.
A third option: Infrared saunas
If making your own natural sauna or taking along a portable sauna doesn’t appeal to you, you do have another option.
With a few strategically placed infrared lamps, you can create your own temporary infrared sauna in your tent. Infrared therapy offers the same benefits as a traditional sauna, and when you’re exposed to infrared light, the waves penetrate your skin, heating your core body temperature to make you sweat.
You can purchase infrared maps easily online, and many options run on batteries rather than requiring electricity.
Safety considerations for using saunas while camping
If you’re thinking of incorporating a steamy sauna into your next camping trip, there are a few pointers to consider. The most important point is ample ventilation. Without it, all the steam from the heated rocks could make it difficult for you to breathe.
Another important safety consideration is using quality materials. Whether you have constructed your own tent or are using one you’ve purchased, you need a good size structure that will stay firmly upright throughout your session.
If you’re using infrared lamps, it’s a good idea to have a wooden box to safely house them so that they don’t come into contact with your tent, sleeping bag, or any fabric. Although these lights don’t have an open flame, they get very hot, and combustible materials placed too close can ignite.
Finally, it is crucial to pay attention to how your body responds to the heat. If you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseous at any point, remove yourself from the tent and hydrate well. You must also not fall asleep in your sauna, as this can pose added risks.
Add some heat to your camping trip
Incorporating a sauna session into your camping trip can be a fulfilling and rejuvenating decision. Saunas have immense health benefits, and enjoying them while in the wilderness only enhances them.
Be sure to do your research, take a friend, and enjoy your sensory experience in nature.
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