Ice swimming + sauna-ing

Yesterday I did something that I never, ever saw myself doing. But lately, I've been trying to embrace more of a "yeah, why not?" mentality. So, when my friend Henrika asked if I would be into trying ice swimming, it was really hard to fight my first response of "hahaha no" and go for it. 

I was nervous about not being mentally tough enough to do it, the water at home in the summer is sometimes not warm enough for me.. and I'd be lying if I said I didn't pour myself a big glass of wine before going BUT I did it! And I was so freaking proud of myself and actually really, really enjoyed it. 

I had no idea what to expect and it was my first Finnish sauna experience too. I 100% anticipated it to be completely different than it was. What I imagined was more like a polar plunge (which I've also never done) where you run into the water, run out and then go hang out in the sauna for a little bit. Luckily, It was so much more relaxing than that. So basically, there are a ton of different locations, we went to one about 20mins away. The sauna was brand new and it was a quiet, pretty area. Once you get there, you change into your bathing suit and then you head into the sauna. When we first got in there it was so crowded, I'd say about 20-25 people were there. After a few minutes we were ready to get to the swimming part. 

I thought it was going to be a lake but it was actually the sea and it was also completely frozen, expect for the area where people swim, they had a pump keeping the water moving so it wouldn't freeze there. Walking up to the frozen water in a bathing suit + socks (super cute look) is so intimidating. Regulars who were going back in shocked me because they just casually walked in, dipped and stayed under the water up to their necks. Meanwhile, I was internally panicking and trying to not be that obnoxious, wimpy American girl who's scared of the water (I think a few of them got a good laugh at me going in). I went in, lowered myself in and immediately felt like the wind was knocked out of me and headed right back for the sauna. Going from the sauna that was about 170°f to the cold water was shocking and I completely understand why they don't suggest it if you have a heart condition. 

So we ended up doing it five times and every time got easier and less painful.. except for the fourth time, that almost felt like the first all over again. It was so much fun though! Henrika also interviewed me a bit during it for a radio program she does that airs in Australia (very cool) so hopefully I didn't sound too crazy! 

It was such a fun experience and I felt so relaxed during and after (the complete opposite of what I expected). I would 100% do it again and hopefully Eric can come next time! Also, as crazy as it sounds there are a bunch of benefits of doing it: boosts your immune system, releases a ton of endorphins, increases circulation, burns calories, etc.. so many positives that make the pain and numbness totally worth it! 

Oh! Yesterday was also Runeberg's day in Finland, everyone eats a certain kind of cake. Henrika brought some over and it turns out, I'm a big fan of Runeberg, his cake was delicious! I was curious about how this special cake eating day came about so, Runeberg was a poet in the 1800's, he's the national poet of Finland and also wrote what would become the Finnish national anthem & yesterday was his birthday (thanks Wikipedia). 

Hope everyone's weekend was just as fun and way warmer than mine~ xx