While our modern lives are busier than ever, our awareness of health and wellbeing is also at a peak, and saunas are becoming ever popular as a way to manage both physical and mental health. All over Ireland, people who want to upgrade their lifestyles and optimise their health are installing outdoor saunas to embrace the many benefits these can offer.
Why Irish Homeowners Are Investing in Outdoor Saunas in 2025
While our modern lives are busier than ever, our awareness of health and wellbeing is also at a peak, and saunas are becoming ever popular as a way to manage both physical and mental health. All over Ireland, people who want to upgrade their lifestyles and optimise their health are installing outdoor saunas to embrace the many benefits these can offer.
The use of sauna practices within daily life has been popular for most of human civilisation, and Scandinavian culture focuses on this as a pillar of wellbeing. Whether you are a gym addict wanting to make the most of muscle recovery or you are looking for a good way to relax and unwind after a stressful day, an outdoor sauna could be the perfect solution for you.
Your Own Outdoor Sauna
There are many great reasons to invest in an outdoor sauna, including:
- Hot/cold therapy. You will have noticed that cold water swimming has grown in popularity since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the appearance of beach or riverside ‘pop-up’ saunas has made this an appealing option for many. Heating and cooling the body is believed to have significant health benefits, and this is a practice commonly used in Scandinavian health culture, where communal outdoor saunas and cold plunge pools are popular. Having your own garden sauna enables you to make use of this technique, whether you also have a cold plunge pool or ice barrel, or simply take a cold shower or a cold water swim locally beforehand.
- Focusing on your well-being. In our fast-paced world, it can be easy to neglect your health, and this is seen in the vast numbers of people diagnosed with stress and burnout. Creating a retreat or spa area in your own garden can enable you to reset the balance and prioritise your health and wellbeing. Many people choose to install a garden room with a gym or yoga studio space alongside their sauna cabin, and many of our beautiful designs feature areas for relaxation, including covered terraces so that you can enjoy your wellness space all year round.
- Recognising your cultural roots. Many people do not realise that Ireland has an ancient tradition of sweat lodges, or Tigh ’N Alluis, which translates as ‘houses of sweat’. The traditional sweat lodges were usually created in a dry-stone hut in the shape of a beehive, and these were recognised as an important way to heal illnesses and purify the body. Cultures all over the world have used similar practices throughout human history, and this may help to explain the deep sense of relaxation that sauna practices can evoke.
- Connecting with nature. Taking care of your health and wellbeing is a positive step, however you do it, but embracing the outdoors with practices that bring your exercise and relaxation routines in line with nature can bring a whole new sense of wellness. There are many benefits to spending time in nature, including reduced cortisol levels and boosting endorphins, and an outdoor sauna can maximise these. Relaxing in your own garden sauna can give you a chance to unwind and enjoy the natural world around you, enhancing your connection with the outdoors, and, of course, you can design your garden to optimise this experience and create a haven of peace on your own property.
- Embracing sustainability. A wooden garden sauna is a good way to embrace sustainability in your healthcare routine, making the most of natural materials and reducing the impact (and cost!) of unnecessary journeys to local spas. Our garden saunas are made from high-quality Nordic timber, which is sustainably grown and managed, and this offers excellent value for money as well as being kind to the planet. You can choose from sustainable foundation systems and choose to use renewable energy in your outdoor sauna or garden room to further reduce your carbon footprint.
- Social opportunities. As we have already discovered, saunas have been a communal event in Ireland and in many other countries for millennia. The beauty of a garden sauna is that you can choose whether to enjoy your sauna by yourself, as a solo way to relax and restore your balance, or embrace the traditional social aspect of the sauna experience by inviting your favourite people to join you. You can share your garden sauna with your friends and family, or invite the neighbours over for a regular sauna session, so that you can socialise and benefit your health at the same time.
- Boosting the benefits of a workout. Did you know that spending time in the sauna can help you recover after a gym session, improving muscle recovery and promoting good circulation? This is an excellent way to optimise your workout routine and make the most of your investment in your health and wellbeing. Raising the body temperature in the sauna improves blood flow, which helps to more effectively deliver the oxygen and nutrients your tired muscles need, and this can help to reduce muscle soreness and recovery after your workout. Many people choose to finish their workout with a sauna session, and a garden sauna is a great option post-workout in your garden gym or after a run.
- Improving your long-term health. Saunas are renowned for relieving stress, but they can also make a positive impact on your long-term health, with studies showing reduced pain in people with chronic conditions such as arthritis and muscle pain. A regular sauna practice can stimulate the production of white blood cells, which is useful to regulate the immune system, and regular sauna use can be linked to reduced illnesses, including colds and flu, as well as quicker recovery from illness. Spending time in the sauna is also beneficial for the skin, as sweating helps to flush out toxins and clear the complexion, and better sleep after a sauna session is another commonly reported benefit.
It is important to use your garden sauna safely, and we recommend that you do not exceed the daily recommendation for time limits and sauna temperature. Your personal practice can be designed to suit you and your lifestyle, whether you use your sauna for ten minutes every day or choose to alternate with cold water dipping as a longer practice, and your garden sauna gives you the flexibility to make this work for you. However, if you are concerned about any aspect of your sauna practice or if you have underlying health concerns, you should seek advice from a medical professional before introducing a regular sauna practice into your routine.
Quality Wooden Garden Buildings at Gardenhouse 24
At Gardenhouse 24, we can help you transform your lifestyle with a wooden garden room that gives you the flexibility you need. Our sauna cabins and garden rooms are versatile so that you can create the perfect space for your family, whether you are looking for additional accommodation or a stylish wellbeing area to help you relax and unwind. You can see many of our previous projects on our website, and we can help you choose the right options for your home and garden.
Our cost-effective garden houses and saunas are made from high-quality Nordic timber and are designed for domestic and commercial premises. Our expert team offers installation as an additional service, and we have a range of electrical packages and insulation options to customise your installation. Explore our garden rooms on our website and give us a call to find out more today.
