Planning a Sauna Visit After a Snow Day in East Bethel

A snow day, a shoveled driveway and a warm room

You've cleared the driveway, knocked the slush off your boots and finally sat down. For plenty of people in East Bethel, Ham Lake and Andover, that is the moment a sauna sounds like a good idea. Planning a sauna after a snow day in Minnesota takes more thought than on a mild afternoon. The roads, the cold and the walk from the car all play a part.

This guide walks through timing, packing, water, session length and the trip home. It is built around a private infrared sauna visit at 5D Wellness on Highway 65, and it leans on guidance from Harvard Health and Cleveland Clinic for the safety basics.

Timing a sauna visit after a snow day

Start with the road, not the sauna. After a heavy snowfall, give yourself extra time for the drive and check conditions before you leave. If the plows have not reached your street, or Highway 65 looks slick, the visit can wait a day. The warm room will still be there tomorrow.

It also helps to know when someone is on site. The studio at 18447 Highway 65 NE, Suite C is staffed seven days a week from 8 AM to 4 PM, and members can get in around the clock. A snow day often frees up a weekday morning, which makes the staffed hours a natural fit. If you are coming from Blaine, Cedar or Isanti, add a little buffer so you are not rushing in with a tight schedule.

Calling ahead is easy. The front desk number is (612) 322-9989.

What to wear and what to bring

Dress for the drive and the parking lot, then think about what you'll wear when you leave. Dry layers matter most. If you shoveled before you came, your base layer may be damp, and nobody wants to pull that back on afterward. Pack a fresh shirt and dry socks.

• A water bottle you can carry into the room
• A towel
• A dry base layer and warm socks for after
• A hat and gloves for the walk back to the car
• Slip-on shoes or boots that are easy to take on and off

We wrote a longer checklist in what to bring to a sauna and plunge visit in a Minnesota winter, if you want the full list.

Water before and after

Sweating pulls fluid out of your body, and that is why every source we checked puts water near the top of the list. Cleveland Clinic notes that dehydration is one of the main risks of sauna use, with signs that include thirst, headaches, muscle cramps and confusion. It suggests drinking water both before and after a session, and says sports drinks with electrolytes can also be an option.

Harvard Health gives a concrete number for afterward: two to four glasses of cool water after each sauna. It also says to avoid alcohol, and medications that may impair sweating and lead to overheating, before and after you go in. So skip the post-shoveling beer until after your session, and keep the water bottle handy.

If you have a medical condition that affects what you can drink, or you take medication, ask your healthcare provider what is right for you.

Easing in: how long to stay

The private rooms at 5D Wellness are full-spectrum infrared, with red light built into the walls. There are six preset programs plus a quick-start mode, and you can adjust the intensity. That flexibility is handy when you're not sure how you'll feel after a morning of shoveling.

For a first visit, or a first visit in a while, start small. Cleveland Clinic suggests beginning at about 110 degrees for five to 10 minutes and building up based on how you feel. Harvard Health says to stay in no more than 15 to 20 minutes, and Cleveland Clinic gives a similar range of 15 to 20 minutes in its general sauna guide. Pick a lower setting, watch the clock, and leave early if you want to.

Your body is also the best signal. Both clinics say to step out right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, weak, short of breath or uncomfortable. No snow day is worth pushing through that.

Cooling down before you head back out

This part is pure Minnesota winter. You walk out of a warm room into a parking lot that may be well below freezing. Harvard Health recommends cooling down gradually afterward, so give yourself time. Sit for a few minutes, sip water, and let your body settle before you pull on your coat.

Cleveland Clinic adds that a rinse after a session removes sweat and helps you cool off comfortably. Then change into the dry layers you packed, put your hat and gloves on, and head to the car. If you are curious how this works after a long day outdoors, our piece on a sauna after ice fishing or hockey covers a similar evening.

Some visitors like to pair the sauna with the plunge. 5D Wellness offers hot and cold plunges at 100°F and 40°F, and its infrared sauna page suggests pairing the two. It's a personal choice, and worth easing into just like the sauna.

Who should check with a provider first

A sauna is not right for everyone on every day. Cleveland Clinic lists several groups who should check with a healthcare provider before using one, including adults over 65, children under 16, pregnant people and people trying to become pregnant, people with certain heart conditions or neurologic conditions such as epilepsy, people who take medication, and people who are sensitive to temperature changes. It also says to avoid the sauna if you have been drinking alcohol or have recently had a heart attack or stroke.

Harvard Health adds that people with heart disease or other cardiac concerns should talk to their doctor first, and that you should skip the sauna when you are ill. If you are unsure, ask your provider before you book. This article is general wellness information, not medical advice.

Booking and pricing

A single infrared sauna session at 5D Wellness is $12 per day, with no membership needed. The infrared sauna is also included with every membership. If you want to know what a private booking looks like from the door to the end, read what a private sauna booking looks like, and you can book through the site when you are ready.

The short version

A good sauna visit after a snow day comes down to a few steps. Check the roads first. Pack dry layers and a water bottle. Drink water before and after. Start with a short session and a lower setting. Cool down slowly, rinse off, and bundle up before you step outside. If you live in East Bethel, Ham Lake, Andover, Cedar or anywhere else in the North Metro, that routine turns a snowed-in day into a calm, well-planned afternoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I stay in an infrared sauna after being out in the cold?

Harvard Health suggests no more than 15 to 20 minutes, and Cleveland Clinic suggests beginners start with about five minutes. Build up over later visits and leave if you feel unwell.

Should I drink water before a sauna session?

Yes. Cleveland Clinic advises drinking water before and after, and Harvard Health suggests two to four glasses of cool water afterward.

How much does an infrared sauna session cost at 5D Wellness?

A single session is $12 per day with no membership needed. The infrared sauna is also included with every membership.

When is the studio staffed?

Staff are on site seven days a week from 8 AM to 4 PM at 18447 Highway 65 NE, Suite C in East Bethel. Members can get in 24/7.

This article is for general wellness and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. 5D Wellness services are not a substitute for professional medical care. Results vary by individual. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new wellness practice, especially if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.