In many cultures across the world, sauna plays an important part.
Sauna culture is prevalent in countries likes Sweden, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands and Germany.
However, the culture varies from one country to the next.
It is believed that sauna originated in Finland and the word itself is of Finnish origin.
However, there are some saunas that are of different types and older than the one from Finland.
Nonetheless, in modern day Finland sauna is a part and parcel of everyday life, and over 50 percent of homes in the country have a sauna.
In Finland, men and women use different saunas.
Mingling of genders does not take place.
However, it is common for family and friends to use a common sauna, especially they are on a holiday or renting a cabin for the weekend.
Usually in Finland, it is a common practice to enter ice cold water of a lake immediately after coming out of the sauna.
Also, a person cannot enter a sauna clothed or wearing swimsuit.
He or she has to be in their birthday suit.
In Germany and the Netherlands, the sauna practice is quite similar.
However, common sauna areas have rules as most of them are mixed saunas.
Clothes are not worn in a sauna and it is expected that a person takes a shower after exiting one.
Also, a person needs to cover himself or herself in a dry sauna, whereas this is not expected in a steam sauna.
In South Korea, they are very popular and often people spend their entire evening relaxing in a sauna or even taking a short nap.
Men and women use separate sauna.
In Japan too there are different saunas for men and women, and these too do not allow people to enter with clothing.