Yes, a cold plunge after sauna bathing can be highly beneficial to both your physical and mental health. So, it's a good idea to add a cold plunge to your regular sauna routine. But it goes without saying that a cold shock might not be good for some age and health groups.
After a sauna, it's generally recommended to stay in a cold shower for about 1 to 3 minutes. This duration helps to effectively cool down your body and can promote muscle recovery and improve circulation. However, listen to your body; if you feel uncomfortable, it's okay to cut the cold shower short.
Jumping into freezing water immediately after exiting a sauna can be dangerous and is generally not recommended. Here are some important considerations: Body Temperature Shock: After being in a sauna, your body temperature rises significantly.
After the end of the sauna session, you should not clean yourself with shower gel or soap, just apply some lotion.
There is also evidence that alternating hot and cold water immersion therapy may be an effective recovery treatment for athletes. Contrast water therapy has been shown to reduce the severity of acute injuries.
Cold plunge and sauna routines have long-demonstrated health benefits, but what are their implications for longevity? The science shows that they share synergistic effects in improving cardiovascular health, reducing stress and priming your body for a good night's rest.
Alternating between hot and cold water stimulates blood vessel constriction and dilation which promotes excellent blood circulation, beneficial for heart health and overall vitality. The combination of hot- and cold-water exposure aids muscle recovery.
After using the sauna
After using the sauna, be sure to take a break. Cool down in the shower, or in a barrel of cold water, and then you can also use the swimming pool. When you're done cooling down, put on a bathrobe and rest for a few minutes, after which you can go back to the sauna and repeat the whole process.
According to the classic Finnish method, there is a short bath in ice-cold water, which can be replaced by a shower in cold or lukewarm water, waiting at least two minutes after leaving the sauna.
After leaving the sauna, take a cold shower or take a dip in cold water to close your pores and rinse away sweat, salt and impurities from your skin. Cold water helps to tighten and tone your skin, promoting a fresh and rejuvenated appearance.
The combination of sauna and cold plunge, also known as contrast therapy, has been shown to have numerous health benefits—including improved circulation, reduced inflammation, and enhanced mental clarity.
One of the most common questions we get asked is, "Can I sauna every day?" The short answer is yes, it can be safe for most people to sauna daily. However, it's important to keep a few things in mind, like how long you stay in and any health conditions you might have.
The short answer is that it's generally not recommended to bring your phone into a sauna. The high temperatures and humidity levels can cause damage to your phone's internal components, and the risk of overheating or even explosion is not worth the convenience of having your phone with you.
Jumping into a cold pool after a long sauna or hot tub can be pretty great. Saunas have proven health benefits like lowering blood pressure; cold plunges are shown to reduce inflammation. Why not combine them? A bunch of safety reasons, bucko, that's why.
The recommended length of time to spend in a sauna is 15-20 minutes. First-timers should start with five to 10 minutes. People with certain health conditions should not use a sauna. If you're not sure if that's you after reading this article, consult with a healthcare provider.
Now that you've sweated out all those toxins and heavy metals, you'll want to wash immediately in cold water. Cold water helps the pores to contract back to their resting size.
When you get home from your sauna session it is great to take a warm shower to wash off the toxins that are now on the outside of your skin. Many find that a cool shower rinse after a warm shower invigorates them and their skin. So enjoy a good shower followed by a cool rinse. This will also close up the pores.
Shower Before You Enter
Not only is this hygienic—rinsing off sweat, body oils, and any cosmetics—it also preconditions your body for the heat. Don't: Use heavy soaps or fragrances before entering. The hot air intensifies smells, and you don't want to overwhelm your fellow sauna-goers with a potent scent.
In other words, your regular sauna session followed by a short plunge in cold water should be enough to reap the health benefits. As such, we suggest you go for a 20-30 minute sauna session followed by a 2-5 minute cold plunge or ice bath.
Cold showers after sauna sessions enhance blood circulation, reduce muscle soreness, and support muscle recovery by alternating between hot and cold temperatures.
Having a sauna is not suitable for people who have high blood pressure or problems with their heart, liver or kidneys. You should also avoid a sauna if you suffer from skin conditions (such as eczema or psoriasis) or have the flu, cold, fever or any inflammation. The high temperature could worsen your condition.
Going from a hot to cold shower — even for a couple of minutes — might protect you from circulating viruses. The shock of cold water can stimulate the blood cells that fight off infection (leukocytes).
It is best to wait one to two hours after finishing your Infrared session before taking a shower, as the benefits of the sauna will continue after your session is finished. What is the best thing to wear during my Infrared session?
“The heat from a sauna session expands your blood vessels, and your heart beats faster. By using cold water when showering after the sauna session, your blood vessels narrow back down and your heart rate is briefly increased. The change of temperatures will enhance your recovery effect during the rest phase.