What Happens When the Sauna Becomes a Ritual

Most Nightjar owners are experiencing regular sauna use for the first time. They are new to the practice. There's no inherited habit, no childhood memory of stepping into a traditional sauna to draw from. The sauna arrives, it gets fired up for the first time, and from that point forward, something new begins to take shape.

That's what makes this season of Nightjar so interesting to watch. The health benefits of consistent sauna use are well-documented — cardiovascular support, improved sleep, stress recovery, respiratory health. But data is one thing. What actually happens when a first-time sauna owner builds a real practice, session after session, week after week — that's the story worth telling.

Joe Hartings, owner of the Nightjar Petoskey sauna, recently shared something that surprised even him — a meaningful shift in his respiratory health that he attributes directly to consistent sauna use. In his words:

"I've been a regular sauna user for the past three months and have experienced an unexpected health benefit I'm happy to share. I have asthma and normally use an inhaler twice a day — morning and night. My wife and I sauna four evenings a week as part of our nighttime routine.

With consistent sauna use, I've noticed a clear improvement in my ability to take deep breaths without wheezing or coughing. While in the sauna, I focus on slow, deep breathing, drawing in the warm air as fully as I can. Over time, I began skipping my inhaler on sauna nights and have maintained that adjustment for about a month now.

I wouldn't make this change if my asthma wasn't well managed. Before starting sauna use, my doctor had already indicated that reducing my inhaler use might be possible, so I feel confident that cutting back cautiously is low risk in my case.

I plan to continue this routine and see how it progresses. Sauna use has proven to be a great way to support overall health — sometimes in unexpected ways."

— Joe Hartings, Nightjar Petoskey sauna owner

The sauna isn't a single event — it's a practice. The benefits compound quietly, session by session, evening by evening. The body keeps track even when the mind forgets to.

If there's a health experience or a ritual that has taken shape around a Nightjar sauna, it's worth sharing. These are the stories that matter.

Joe's Post-Sauna Hydration Recipe

Joe also passed along his go-to hydration formula for recovery after a session. Simple ingredients, real electrolytes — no processed powder required.

1-Gallon Batch

• 1 gallon filtered water
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1/4 tsp potassium chloride (Nu-Salt)
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2–3 tablespoons real maple syrup or honey

Per 32 oz

• 32 oz filtered water
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/16 teaspoon potassium chloride
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1½ – 2 teaspoons real maple syrup or honey

After a sauna, drink 16–32 oz to replace lost sodium and potassium. Sip — don't chug.