Across three studies (N=1,907), sauna culture in the UK improved physical and mental wellbeing through social identity, ritual perception, and emotional synchrony, suggesting that social and ritual aspects of sauna use contribute to its wellbeing effects.
Key Findings
Results
Longitudinal sauna participation was associated with increases in emotional wellbeing over time.
Studies 1 and 3 employed longitudinal designs and both revealed increases in emotional wellbeing over time.
Combined sample across all three studies was N=1,907.
The longitudinal design allowed for within-person comparisons of wellbeing before and after sauna participation.
Results
Stronger sauna identities were associated with self-reported improvements in both physical and emotional wellbeing.
Study 2 used a cross-sectional approach to examine this relationship.
Both physical and emotional wellbeing outcomes were self-reported by participants.
The Social Cure model was used as the theoretical framework linking social identity to wellbeing outcomes.
Results
Perceiving sauna use as a ritual was positively linked to stronger sauna identities.
This finding came from Study 3, which employed a longitudinal design.
The ritual lens was applied alongside the Social Cure model to understand how connection grows via sauna.
Ritual perception was examined as a predictor of sauna identity strength.
Results
Experiencing emotional synchrony during sauna sessions was positively linked to stronger sauna identities.
Emotional synchrony was measured during sauna sessions in Study 3.
Emotional synchrony was examined alongside ritual perception as a pathway to sauna identity.
This finding supports the role of shared emotional experience in building group identity within sauna settings.
Background
The Social Cure model combined with a ritual lens was used to explain how feelings of social connection develop through sauna participation.
The Social Cure model posits that social identities shape wellbeing outcomes.
A ritual lens was applied to understand the mechanisms by which connection grows via sauna.
Three studies with a total N=1,907 UK sauna users were conducted to test this framework.
Findings have potential implications for sauna operators in the UK and beyond.
Newson M, McGrath R, Mosina I, Reason G, Peitz L. (2026). Sauna culture improves physical and mental wellbeing in the UK through social connection and ritual.. Social science & medicine (1982). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119061