Back in hazy summer days, Sale Water Park is easily one of the greatest places to spend your time in the sun.
It gets super busy here too – with seemingly everyone (and their dog) descending on the banks and waterside picnic areas at even the slightest poking of the sun from behind the clouds.
In the winter though? Not so much. It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s muddy and never in a million years would you want to swim in that water!
Well, actually – it seems like there are some people out there who want to jump in that water, but it actually works best when you’ve been sweating in a hot sauna for 20 minutes or so. It’s the Finnish way, it’s rather ‘invigorating’ and people have been going mad for it over the last couple of months.
It’s all down to HIVE, Manchester’s first outdoor community sauna which has been “built by the people, for the people” and are offering up weekly wellness sessions to locals.
Over the last 3 months, community volunteers, craftspeople and designers have ensured that HIVE Sauna has become a reality, operated by Cityzen CIC, a profit-for-purpose social enterprise.
Every Saturday & Sunday from 10pm – 2pm, HIVE offers a morning Swim & Sauna Club, followed by Lakeside Sauna Sessions – the benefits of which are numerous.
Scientists believe that sauna bathing, when practiced frequently, has a multitude of health and wellbeing benefits:
– Improves the immune system
– Improves sleep
– Prevents cardiovascular diseases
– Reduces the chance of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
– Reduces the risk of pulmonary disease and mental health conditions
Other benefits:
– Releases endorphins that reduce stress and pain and serotonin (the happiness hormone)
– Creates a relaxing and joyous experience
– Encourages social community and conversation
– Provides a digital free zone to take a break from the modern world.
The HIVE also offers Private Hire sessions for groups of up to 6 people, where they can experience a cold lake dip to awaken the senses, followed by 10-15 minutes of beautiful heat from the Hariva wood-burning stove. And repeat.
Sound like something you’d want to try? Head on over to the HIVE site and get booked in.
