Wellness trends that focus on physical and mental recovery are on the rise, but it all goes way back to ancient traditions of these practices, which have been modernized in today’s wellness culture.
Luckily, you can enjoy cold and heat therapy in the comfort of your own home, but what are the benefits of cold plunge and sauna?
In this article, we’ll focus on the benefits of both cold plunge and sauna, but also a combination of the two (the contrast therapy) so you know exactly how your body benefits when you take care of it.
Benefits of Cold Plunge and Sauna
Key Benefits of Cold Plunge
Key benefits of cold plunge include:
- Enhanced muscle recovery
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved circulation
- Boosted immune system
- Increased mental clarity and focus
- Stress reduction
- Enhanced sleep
- Increased energy and vitality
- Mental toughness and resilience
Cold plunge is very well known for reducing muscle soreness after intense exercise by constricting blood vessels. Cold immersion is one of the most popular ways to reduce muscle inflammation among athletes.
Cold exposure can decrease the body’s inflammatory response, which is also beneficial for people with arthritis or chronic pain.
When your body is exposed to cold, blood vessels constrict, and when it warms up afterward, they dilate, which ensures better blood flow. This helps improve circulation by bringing more oxygen and nutrients to tissues, which aids in quicker healing and better vascular health.
Cold plunges also trigger the release of hormones that can help boost mood and mental clarity, reduce stress on the body, and build resilience over time.
Many people note that cold immersion helps with relaxation before sleep, which makes it an excellent pre-bedtime routine. However, don’t do it right before bed. 1-2 hours before bed is ideal.
Needless to say, a cold plunge is associated with a broad range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits, which showcases the reason you should incorporate a cold plunge into your routine.
Key Benefits of Sauna
The key benefits of sauna include:
- Detoxification
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Muscle recovery
- Pain relief
- Stress reduction
- Relaxation
- Improved skin health
- Improved sleep quality
- Boosted immune system
- Enhanced mental clarity and mood
- Increased metabolism and weight loss
- Social and community benefits
Sweating in a sauna promotes the body’s natural detoxification process by inducing deep sweating, which removes toxins, heavy metals, and impurities.
The heat accelerates the body’s elimination of waste products, which supports overall health. Think of it as a natural cleanse.
Sauna can also improve heart function by increasing heart rate, which is similar to moderate exercise.
The heat from saunas relaxes muscles too, eliminating tension and promoting faster recovery from exercises or injury.
If you add the calming effect of the sauna on top of it, you also get to reduce your cortisol levels, which is the body’s primary stress hormone. As a result, you can gain mental clarity and a sense of well-being, which is one of the best tools for stress relief.
When you get home, needless to say, the calming effects of heat will lead to better quality and more restful sleep, as the body cools down naturally.
If you’re a regular sauna user, you’ll also increase your body’s ability to fight off infections, which helps reduce the frequency of illness.
Our favorite benefit is the release of endorphins, which is the “feel-good” hormone. Immediate mood improvement and improved mental well-being are guaranteed.
Just the way heat relaxes the body, it also relaxes the mind, leading to improved mental clarity, reduced anxiety, and better emotional stability. Remember that good feeling after you finish a sauna session? That’s exactly the benefit we’re talking about.
We’ve noticed that many people use saunas as a social experience too. This can additionally improve mental well-being by promoting connection and relaxation together in a communal setting.
Now, imagine having your sauna in the comfort of your home. Imagine the benefits.
Why Combine Cold and Heat Therapy
Combining cold and heat therapy is becoming increasingly popular, but it’s nothing new. It’s actually something called contrast therapy.
Combining cold and heat is good for:
- Enhanced recovery
- Improved circulation and blood flow
- Enhanced muscle and joint recovery
- Boosted immune function
- Skin health
- Better overall balance
- Recovery for active lifestyles
As you can notice, you gain the benefits of both cold plunge and sauna together. Combined, they can help trigger different physiological responses in your body.
Cold plunge helps reduce inflammation and numb pain, while heat therapy improves circulation and promotes relaxation. These two go hand in hand.
The combination also helps improve circulation through heat and cold, which boosts blood flow to tissues and organs. Some people like to do a few cycles in a sauna and cold plunge, so going back and forth provides stimulation that can help remove metabolic waste products and deliver fresh oxygenated blood.
This results in better and faster healing, which improves cardiovascular health.
Many athletes combine saunas and cold plunges to reduce swelling and muscle soreness at once. The sauna heats muscles, allowing them to relax and relieve stiffness. Alternating between cold and heat provides a more complete recovery, as it can reduce discomfort and speed up the healing of strained muscles and joints.
We like to think that combining both cold plunge and sauna provides an overall balance. Alternating between cold and heat creates a balanced approach to wellness, addressing your body’s need for stimulation and relaxation.
However, keep in mind how you combine the two and how you alternate between them. We recommend having a plan and always going for a sauna first, and then for a cold plunge.
Conclusion
Self-care is super important, and now that it’s modernized, you get to choose between various approaches.
Taking time for physical and mental rejuvenation is super important in today’s fast-paced world.
Whether you’re new to cold plunges and saunas or you’re an experienced user, we highly recommend thinking about investing in your cold plunge at home. There is no better way to experience the benefits than in the comfort of your home.
And if you decide to go for a cold plunge and sauna combo, you’ll get all the benefits without ever leaving your home.