A Scandinavian wellness ritual has found its way to Wine Country, and its growing popularity suggests Northern Californians are willing to sweat for better sleep, lower stress and a brief escape from their phones.
From the Sonoma Coast to the redwoods, saunas are appearing across the region, tucked beside rivers, marinas and boutique resorts. Central to Nordic culture, the practice of sitting in a small heated room has been linked in studies to benefits ranging from stress reduction and muscle recovery to improved cardiovascular health and sleep quality.
“There’s a benefit to it, both physically and mentally,” said Alex Zelaya, founder of Sundrop Sauna in Petaluma. “I love just educating and informing people.”
More than a decade ago, Zelaya traveled alone to Finland, where he spent a late-summer day at a lakeside sauna. The experience introduced him to a culture of wellness built around heat, cold water and slowing down, something he felt was largely missing on the West Coast outside spas and health clubs…