Is it OK to sauna then ice bath?

Author: Mr. Blake Kohler PhD  |  Last update: Monday, August 11, 2025

It is recommended to first sauna then ice bath and not the other way around, as sauna sessions increase the blood flow and heart rate and make our muscles relax, which cold plunges slows down the heart rate and makes our blood vessels contract.

Should you ice bath after a sauna?

Cooling Down: After exiting the sauna, take a few minutes to cool down at room temperature to allow your body to adjust before entering the ice bath. Duration: Spend 1-12 minutes in the ice bath. This brief exposure is sufficient to reduce inflammation and numb pain without risking hypothermia.

Can I alternate between sauna and cold plunge?

You can alternate between the cold pool and sauna a few times, but limit the total time in each to avoid overstressing your body. Pay attention to how you feel throughout the process. If you experience any negative effects, such as excessive sweating, dizziness, or chills, stop the session.

Is it healthy to jump into cold water after a sauna?

The 'hot sauna, cold plunge' triggers your blood vessels to constrict rapidly and as a result, elevate blood pressure... By jumping in an ice bath after sitting in a sauna between 60 and 70 degrees Celcius, blood flow will improve and faster recovery from any muscle damage or soreness will increase.

What should you not do after a sauna?

After the end of the sauna session, you should not clean yourself with shower gel or soap, just apply some lotion.

Ice Bath & Sauna: How To Do It Right - Andrew Huberman

Is it better to take a cold shower before or after a sauna?

Because you sweat during your session and toxins are released, having a shower after your sauna will help to cleanse the skin and close pores. A cold shower after your sauna can also activate cold shock proteins in the body, which may help assimilate fat for weight loss.

How long to stay in sauna to get rid of toxins?

While the optimal duration may vary depending on individual factors and sauna types, a general guideline of 15-30 minutes per session, 2-4 times per week, is a good starting point.

Is it better to cold plunge or sauna first?

It is recommended to first sauna then ice bath and not the other way around, as sauna sessions increase the blood flow and heart rate and make our muscles relax, which cold plunges slows down the heart rate and makes our blood vessels contract.

How often should you ice bathe?

How often should you ice bath? You can take ice baths daily or multiple times a week. There's no recommended limit. Generally speaking, if your goal is to build the strength or size of your muscles, it's best to take an ice bath 24 to 48 hours after your training session.

Can you overdo cold plunge?

While cold plunging has numerous benefits, staying submerged for too long can introduce potential risks. Prolonged exposure to colder temperatures may lead to hypothermia, where the body loses heat faster than it can produce, resulting in symptoms like shivering, confusion, and fatigue.

Can you sauna everyday?

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.

Why do I feel dizzy after sauna and cold plunge?

The sauna causes blood vessels to dilate, and the cold plunge causes them to constrict rapidly. This sudden redistribution of blood flow in your body can potentially make you feel dizzy.

How to combine sauna and cold plunge?

After your sauna session, head directly to the cold plunge for 1-3 minutes of cold immersion. The sudden cold exposure will: Cause your blood vessels to constrict, directing blood to your core to protect vital organs. Reduce muscle inflammation and soreness.

Is 10 minutes in the sauna enough?

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.

Can I take my phone in the sauna?

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.

How many calories does a 30 minute sauna burn?

Another study[2] found that a 30-minute session in a sauna could burn between 300 and 500 calories, depending on current weight, metabolism, the sauna's temperature, and the time spent in it.

Is it okay to have two saunas a day?

Sauna Usage: Finding the Sweet Spot

Duration Matters: While 20-minute sessions are standard, if you're planning to use the sauna twice a day, aim for shorter sessions of 5-10 minutes each. Frequency is Key: To achieve optimal benefits, aim for sauna sessions three to four times a week.

Is it healthy to go from sauna to cold water?

Is it good to cold plunge after sauna? ​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.

What not to do after a cold plunge?

After a cold plunge, dry off and warm up by getting dressed in dry clothes. You can sip a warm beverage and move to a heated area. But don't head straight for a sauna or hot tub, because the extreme heat could cause too much stress on your body.

What is the best order for sauna?

Before you enter the sauna, drink one to two glasses of water and rinse off in a shower.
  • Warm yourself in a dry sauna for up to 10 minutes without adding humidity.
  • Exit and rinse off in a second quick shower.
  • Allow your body to continue to cool down by drinking something refreshing, such as water.

What toxins do saunas remove?

Additionally, unwanted waste products are removed from the body when you sweat. Various studies have proven the effectiveness and efficiency of saunas when it comes to removing heavy metal toxins, PCBs, solvents, pharmaceuticals and organic chemicals from the body.

Is it good to sauna every day?

To achieve a positive effect, up to three sauna sessions are recommended per week. For healthy people, there is nothing to stop them from even taking a sauna every day. However, it should be noted that if you visit the sauna several times a week, you should reduce the number of sauna sessions per day.

Why do I feel sick after the sauna?

Dehydration can result from fluid loss while sweating. People with certain conditions, such as kidney disease, may be at a higher risk of dehydration. The increased temperatures can also lead to dizziness and nausea in some people.

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