You walk through the snow to get to the sauna and it has a window so you can watch the cold world outside and on a good night even the moon lined up with our window view. 

The sauna was a reason to go outside in the dead of winter, it was a destination and that was what we needed. 

I really think so much of a sauna is about the wood. Saunas are traditionally made using cedar and you are completely surrounded (no metal, no plastic). Our sauna temp averages between 160-180F and the wood comes alive at those temperatures and you are surrounded by the smell of the forest. 

Our kids sauna as well, but it's not active enough for them. Although my 5 year old is learning to meditate at school, so she has had some very zen moments this winter.

At a local shop here in Camden Maine, I came across the book; FOREST BATHING: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li

Dr. Qing Li, outlines the WHY we enjoy a good walk and HOW the trees allow us to connect and ultimately relax. 

We started our kids out hiking as soon as they could walk and luckily we live at the bottom of our local state park, so we can go whenever the mood strikes. 

The thing about forest bathing, is that it isn't about the destination or the length of the walk, it is about time spent with nature. No phone, no cameras, no ear buds. 

The Japanese call it shinrin-yoku. 

The largest benefits are shown when you can spend at least 2 hours surrounded by nature. This doesn't have to be an actual forest, just anywhere you feel at peace and with some plant life. 

Maine and Japan have some similar forest ecology when it comes to the amount of beautiful evergreens we have. We have our hemlocks here and they have their Hinoki there but it's all humbling when you are standing among them.