The Happiest People in the World Sauna

According to the United Nations annual World Happiness Report, the "Happiest People in the World" live in the Nordic countries of Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway.

The United States, has reached its lowest spot ever, at No. 24.

At PLUNJ, the Nordic traditions of gathering in the sauna and plunging are in full force.

More than just the physical practice of contrast therapy (exposure to the heat of the sauna, to the cold of the plunge, and back and forth), it's the gathering effect as well.

The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory titled, "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation" where Dr. Murthy said, "People... tell me they felt isolated, invisible, and insignificant".

He continued, "Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death."

The U.N.'s report, highlights "social connection buffers people from the toxic effects of stress and significantly enhances subjective wellbeing..."

The Nordic countries standout for at least one practice that counteracts loneliness.

The sauna.

Nearly 90% of Finns sauna every week.

A practice that often is shared with friends and family.

Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, has said: "In this era of social isolation and political polarisation we need to find ways to bring people around the table again - doing so is critical for our individual and collective wellbeing."

Enter PLUNJ.

A third space, a place of gathering for the community.

Whether with friends old, or new, it's a distraction-free place to connect and rejuvenate.

Every day, whether participating solo, or in a known group, people are leaving happier than they were before they came!

Join us, at the corner of Utopia & Main St, and see what effect the simple practice of sauna-ing and plunging has on you.

More on why we built PLUNJ Salt Lake was share in a Salt Lake Sideways article.