Can You Read in the Sauna? Tips for Sauna Reading

Can You Read in the Sauna? Tips for Sauna Reading

You've got a sauna, you've got a book, and you've got 15-20 minutes of sitting time. The question writes itself: can you combine the two?

The answer is yes - with some caveats. People read in saunas all the time, and it's one of the most pleasant ways to spend a session. But the heat and humidity create conditions that can damage certain reading materials and most electronics, so you need to be smart about it.

Physical Books and Magazines

Good old paper works surprisingly well in a sauna. Paper can handle heat that would destroy electronics. A traditional Finnish sauna (dry heat at 150-195°F) is fine for books and magazines. The pages may curl slightly from the heat, and paperbacks might develop a bit of wave over repeated sessions, but the book will survive.

The bigger concern is moisture. If you're pouring water on the rocks (loyly), the steam can dampen pages. And sweat dripping from your hands onto the book is inevitable.

Tips for reading physical books in the sauna:

• Use books you don't mind getting worn. Your pristine first edition should stay on the shelf. Paperbacks, library sales finds, and used books are fair game.
• Keep a small towel handy. Wipe your hands before turning pages. This prevents sweat stains and keeps the pages from sticking together.
• Sit on the lower bench. It's cooler down low, and your book will experience less extreme heat. This is also more comfortable for longer reading sessions.
• Limit loyly while reading. If you're reading, hold off on dumping water on the rocks. The steam burst will dampen your pages.

E-Readers: Proceed with Caution

This is where people get into trouble. Kindle, Kobo, and other e-readers have operating temperature ranges, typically maxing out around 95-113°F. A sauna at 170°F exceeds that by a wide margin.

What can happen to electronics in a sauna:

• Battery swelling or damage from extreme heat
• Screen warping or discoloration
• Internal adhesives softening
• Moisture damage to circuits from steam and sweat

Some people get away with using e-readers in the sauna for months without issues. Others kill their device in a single session. It depends on the specific device, the temperature, and how long it's exposed.

If you insist on bringing an e-reader:

• Wrap it in a dry towel when you're not actively reading
• Keep it on the lower bench or floor, not the top bench
• Use a waterproof case (helps with sweat and steam)
• Accept that you're shortening its lifespan
• Consider using an older device you'd be okay losing

Phones and Tablets: Just Don't

Phones and tablets are more sensitive to heat than e-readers. They have larger batteries, more heat-sensitive components, and more things that can go wrong. Most phones will display a temperature warning and shut down in a sauna. Some won't recover.

Beyond the hardware risk, there's a philosophical argument here too. One of the best things about sauna is that it forces you to disconnect. Bringing your phone in defeats the purpose. If you need something to read, use a physical book.

What to Read

The sauna isn't the place for dense technical material or anything requiring deep focus. The heat affects concentration, and you'll be sweating enough that comfort becomes a factor. Good sauna reading material includes:

• Short stories or essays. You can finish one in a single session without needing to track complex plot threads.
• Light fiction. Novels that don't require intense concentration work well.
• Magazines. Easy to flip through, and you won't feel bad if they get wavy from the heat.
• Poetry. Short, self-contained pieces that you can read slowly and absorb.

The Case for Not Reading

Worth mentioning: many sauna purists argue that reading in the sauna misses the point entirely. The Finnish sauna tradition emphasizes presence, breathing, and quiet contemplation. The sauna is one of the few places left where you can sit with your thoughts for 15 minutes without stimulation.

There's real value in that. The mental health benefits of sauna - reduced cortisol, improved mood, better stress resilience - are partly attributed to the forced digital disconnect and meditative quality of sitting in silence.

That said, if reading makes you more likely to actually use your sauna consistently, then read. Consistency matters more than sauna philosophy. A daily 15-minute sauna session with a book beats a monthly "pure" session every time.

Setting Up Your Sauna for Reading

A few setup tips if you plan to read regularly:

• Good lighting. Make sure your sauna has adequate lighting. Some saunas are dimly lit by design, which creates ambiance but makes reading difficult. A small battery-powered reading light can help.
• Comfortable seating position. Use a backrest or folded towel behind your lower back. You need to be comfortable enough to hold a book for 15-20 minutes.
• Lower bench. Temperatures are 20-40°F cooler on the lower bench, making it more comfortable for extended reading sessions.

Our outdoor saunas and barrel saunas feature interior lighting and multi-level benches that work well for different activities, including reading. Built from FSC-certified heat-treated Canadian hemlock with Harvia or Huum heaters, they're designed for comfortable daily use.

We offer 0% APR financing through Affirm and free shipping on orders over $5,000. If you're a reader or a meditator, having a sauna at home means you get to enjoy it however you like, on your own terms.