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A man sits on a wooden bench in a steamy sauna with a bucket nearby, looking contemplative.

A man sits on a wooden bench in a steamy sauna with a bucket nearby, looking contemplative.

I leave my towel in the locker, take a deep breath, and step into the steam room completely bare. The heat immediately clings to every part of me, and tiny droplets form on my skin in seconds. The world is soft and blurry through the thick fog. “Whoa… okay… this is definitely the real deal. It feels like the steam is wrapping me up like a warm blanket, but without touching me. My whole body is buzzing.” I find a spot on the bench, and the warmth seeps in. The air smells clean and slightly mineral-rich, and every inhale feels like it’s clearing out my chest. See more