Water sizzles as it hits hot stones. Soothing steam rises. A sense of profound relaxation spreads through your body as you’re warmed to your core. That’s a sauna.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, especially the Keweenaw, is part of what’s known as the “Sauna Belt,” according to Pure Michigan . The belt is a portion of the upper Midwest that was settled by Finnish immigrants in the mid-1800s and early 1900s.

The iron and copper miners of those days brought their Finnish heritage with them, including their belief in the health and hygiene benefits of heat and steam. Sauna culture goes back thousands of years in the region that is now Finland.

Today, the benefits of sitting in a sauna include improved circulation, boosted immunity and enhanced mental clarity. For even more benefits, pair a sa

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