Why use a Sauna, or engage in hot and cold therapy?

There are so many positive reasons engaging in hot and cold therapy is good for you, with huge benefits to both your mind and body.

Wellbeing is so important. Saunas have shown to improve both physical and mental health, and are a great way to relax and rejuvenate in an environment that is tranquil and close to nature. We want to bring the ultimate wellness experience to you, and below are some of the reasons why.

Stress Reduction and Enhanced Mood.

The sauna is a safe and tranquil space, offering a retreat from the burdens of everyday life. Your body kindly releases endorphins during sauna use (our body's natural 'feel good' hormone) which helps relieve pain, reduce stress and improves your sense of well-being. Exposing ourselves to heat in a controlled manner also decreases cortisol levels (the acute stress hormone).

A cold water plunge can calm our nervous system and causes the release of specific endorphins responsible for attention, focus and mood. Coupled together, our minds and bodies also learn to cope more effectively with stressful situations.

It is why we experience such a blissful feeling after using the sauna, reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety, with preventative benefits lasting for several weeks.

Improved Circulation and Immune Function.

During a sauna our blood vessels dilate and our blood flow increases, which helps regulate blood pressure and circulation. The contrast of the cold plunge then causes vessels to constrict, pushing blood through. This essentially gives our vessels a work-out, benefitting our circulatory health and in turn potentially improving cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that the more time and frequency spent in saunas, the more the risk of cardiovascular disease is reduced in the long term.

To add, the heat of the sauna increases your body temperature and causes a release of white blood cells, our body's natural anti-viral. Helping our bodies fight common infections and improving our overall immune function.

Muscle Strength and Recovery.

Applying a cold compress to a sore area is probably the first thing we all think of after an injury. A cold plunge works in the same way for the entire body, reducing muscle inflammation and soreness by constricting blood vessels and decreasing metabolic activity, reducing pain and swelling where needed.

The sauna then dilates blood vessels which allows nutrient-rich blood to flood back into the muscle, flushing out toxins such as lactic acid. Hence hot and cold therapy also has huge detoxifying benefits. This means you could recover quicker after strenuous exercise and work stronger next time. The heat also relaxes muscles and relieves tension.

Weight Loss.

There is some research to suggest the concept of cold therapy being linked to weight loss due to the activation of brown fat cells during exposure to cold temperatures. Most of the fat in our bodies is white fat whose purpose is to store energy, but brown fat is a type of adipose (fatty tissue) in the body. When cold, this brown tissue breaks down fatty acids and triglycerides to release heat in an attempt to keep us warm. Similarly, cold exposure triggers our natural response to shiver, burning energy in a bid to keep warm.

Additionally, the increase in body temperature during a sauna session raises your heart rate which ramps your metabolism and helps you burn calories.

Increased energy, focus and attention.

Sauna use increases the release of the hormones, norepinephrine (aka noradrenaline) and prolactin, both of which are key players in cognitive and mental function. We also release endorphins, which make us feel good. This release causes a feeling of alertness as well as raised levels of energy and focus.

Putting our bodies through hot and cold therapy in a controlled manner also increases our mental strength and focus, encouraging us to cope with stressful situations in everyday life more effectively.

Improved Sleep.

The heat generated in a sauna encourages a sleep-inducing response by raising your body temperature, which then gradually decreases after leaving the sauna. This natural cooling process signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep, contributing to improved sleep quality. Our Full moon sessions are the perfect slots to make the most of this.

Health and Safety in the Sauna

Whilst we are passionate about the benefits of sauna use, and hot and cold therapy, we always suggests consulting with your health care professional before use. Especially if you have (but not limited to) a pre-existing heart condition, problems with blood pressure or are pregnant.

'Safe use' guidelines should always be applied, which are included in our safety use guide, and within our T&Cs.