I don’t know about others in the sauna, but I am there only to relax. That’s the purpose of a sauna for me: to avoid distractions and unwind myself.
Everyone knows that phones have become the biggest distraction in our daily lives. I my opinion, If you take your phone inside a sauna, you diminish the benefits of the sauna experience. In this article, I have provided solid reasons to avoid using your phone in the sauna.
Why I Am Against Using Phones In A Sauna
You go to a sauna when you need a break from the world, so why take your phone? It disturbs you during your relaxation time and might also disturb others if the sound is on. And I think it is also against the proper sauna etiquette.
Phone usage in sauna is terrible for the health of your digital devices, whether they’re your phone, AirPods, or smartwatches. It can cause permanent damage to your phone and other devices. So, even if your sauna allows you to take phone inside, please don’t take it.
What Are The Reasons For Not Bringing A Phone To The Sauna?
No one can stop you from bringing your phone to the sauna. It’s your personal thing, and you can use it anywhere. But I hope my reasons convince you to keep your phone away while you enjoy the surreal environment of a sauna.
High-Temperature
Extreme conditions exist in both traditional and infrared saunas. The sauna temperature ranges from 150F to 195F. Your phone is not designed to operate within such high temperatures.
Overheating in the sauna can damage your phone sooner than you expected. Your phone’s internal components get hot in the intense heat of a sauna.
Your phone’s battery life will be reduced due to heat. Although your phone may be heat-resistant, it has a limit. High temperatures can cause hardware components to degrade and malfunctions leading to data corruption.
Humidity
What’s in a sauna other than the relaxing environment? Heat and humidity. Were you thinking of something unique I’ll be referring to? Sorry to disappoint, but what I am telling you is important.
The high humidity levels inside a sauna can cause corrosion. Every phone owner knows what happens when moisture gets in their phone’s body.
Even if you go to an infrared sauna, the heat and moisture can seep into the device and cause damage without giving you a warning.
A Break for Your Brain
Saunas are meant for relaxation and detoxification. They give your brain time to recollect thoughts and perform the future tasks with more energy.
And trust me, you can enjoy a sauna session without using a phone. If you take your phone into a sauna and your notifications keep flying in, what’s the point? It’s okay to be disconnected from the world for some time.
Distraction-Free Zone
A traditional sauna may seem convenient place to use your phone quietly without anyone noticing, but you are wrong, my friend. Your phone’s light or sound not only distracts you, but also distracts others.
While staying connected is important, but you deserve some time for yourself once in a day. I suggest you to take time for yourself without the distractions.
LED Damage
High temperatures and humidity can damage your phone’s display. The colors can become distorted, leading to permanent screen failure.
Fireworks
I am not talking about the new years. I am pointing out the fireworks due to a phenomenon known as condensation. When you come out from the extreme conditions of a sauna, your phone starts cooling down.
Condensation directly damage your phone’s internal circuit. A small spark might happen, causing permanent damage to your phone.
Health Concerns with Phones in Saunas
Bringing your phone into the sauna could raise some health concerns to the device. Let’s dive into the reasons why.
Understanding EMF and ELF
EMF and ELF stands for Electromagnetic Fields and Extremely Low Frequency respectively. These invisible waves of energy are produced by electronic devices.
If you bring your phone into this environment, the heat can also make your phone release more of these energies. Experts believe that too much exposure might be harmful to our health.
What Can You Do Instead of Using Your Phone?
You can turn your sauna session into a social experience. Whenever I go to the sauna, I take a friend with me. You can do the same.
Invite a friend and enjoy a good conversation. You can strengthen bonds, catch up without any digital distractions and just enjoy a nice timeout.
You can also check if your sauna has its own music system. If so. you can listen to music without exposing your phone to the extreme heat.
How to Keep Track of Time Without Your Phone
Some people argue that they only bring phone to saunas to check the time. There are safer and more sauna-friendly ways to monitor time without using your phone. Have a look.
Kitchen Timer
A straightforward solution that I like to use is kitchen timer. These are usually small, easily portable, and can withstand the warm conditions of a sauna.
Just set the timer for your desired sauna duration before you enter. When the timer rings, it’s your cue to step out and cool down.
Using Hourglass
While I personally don’t use it, one of my friends likes to bring an hourglass along to monitor the time. Old-fashioned, yes, but I think it’s pretty classy.
How To Protect Your Phone In A Sauna?
I am hoping that the above reasons will convince you not to take your phone in a sauna. But if you are still not convinced, you should follow the precautions to keep your phone safe in a sauna.
You can’t really save your phone from overheating in a steam room in any way. Using a protective case might reduce the affects of heat, but it is not a guarantee. You can also use a protective waterproof case to stop the moisture going inside the device.
Keep the device away from direct heat sources and sit near the entrance gate. That’s the area where there is most ventilation in a sauna.
Conclusion
I hope your confusions are cleared by now. It’s best to avoid using phones in the sauna; if you can’t, don’t forget the precautionary measures.
Still, if you want to stay connected with the world through your phone, then it’s your call. Make an informed decision keeping every point in mind.