• Sauna vs steam room: what’s the difference?

  Dry heat or wet heat? How a sauna, a steam room, an infrared sauna, a banya and a hammam differ, and how to choose between them.

• How long should you stay in a sauna?

  How long to sit in a sauna, how many rounds to do, how long a typical public session lasts, and the signs it’s time to get out.

• Sauna etiquette: your first public sauna

  What to wear, when to talk, how to pour water on the stones and other unwritten rules of public and community saunas in the UK.

• Sauna benefits: what the evidence says

  What research says about regular sauna use, what it doesn’t show, and who should check with a doctor first.

• Sauna and cold plunge: how to do hot and cold safely

  How to go between sauna and cold plunge, how long to stay in cold water, and the safety rules for sea swims and ice baths.

• What to bring to a public sauna

  A simple checklist for a public, community or outdoor sauna session in the UK, and what most venues provide.