Why do you jump in cold water after a sauna?

Author: Anahi Wilderman DVM  |  Last update: Saturday, January 17, 2026

It Gets Your Circulation Going You know that feeling when you go from lounging in the sauna to plunging into cold water? It's like a mini shock to your system. Your blood vessels constrict in the cold, and when you jump out, they expand again. This is your body's version of a good morning wake-up call.

Should you jump in cold water after a sauna?

It's better to wait about 20 mins after sauna before cold plunging. The whole point of these things is to make your body better at regulating body temp. If you jump into a cold plunge your kinda defeating the point of the process. I believe they're called temperature shock proteins.

Is it necessary to take a cold shower after a sauna?

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.

Is it bad to go out in the cold after the sauna?

According to Finnish tradition, it's customary to jump right into a cold lake after the sauna. If you have that at your disposal, go for it! If not, a cold shower serves as a strong substitute. The objective is to bring your body temperature down to the normal range while improving blood flow.

What does jumping into cold water do?

When you're suddenly immersed in cold water, your body reacts involuntarily. It can cause blood vessels in your skin to close making it harder for blood to flow around the body. Your heart then has to work harder and your blood pressure increases. In the worst cases you could even have a heart attack.

From hot to cold: benefits and risks associated with cold water immersion after sauna use

Is sauna and cold plunge good for you?

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.

Do cold plunges burn fat?

Taking a cold plunge in an Ice Barrel can activate the brown adipose and muscles in your body. Once activated, irisin and FGF will be released (irisin and FGF are cold-induced endocrine activators of brown fat function in humans). These two hormones burn up the white fat tissues resulting in weight loss.

What not to 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.

Can sauna burn fat?

Saunas themselves do not directly burn fat. The weight loss observed after a sauna session is primarily due to water loss through sweating, which is temporary and regained upon rehydration. With that being said, there are a few ways that saunas can have indirect benefits that may support weight loss or body mass loss.

Why do I feel so good after a sauna?

Under the high-heat of a sauna, the body releases endorphins, body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate allowing for increased blood circulation. Before physical activity, enjoy a few moments in the sauna to warm your body in preparation for work it is going to perform.

Should I shower immediately after a sauna?

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.

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.

Can I 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.

Is it OK to take a cold shower after sauna?

After a sauna session, cooling down in a cold shower can boost your mood and accelerate muscle recovery, making it an essential practice for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Is sauna good for skin?

Saunas induce sweating, a natural process that helps the body eliminate toxins. As pores open up in response to heat, impurities are released, promoting a thorough skin cleansing- which can contribute to a clearer complexion and improved skin health.

How many calories does a sauna burn?

On average, 73-134 calories were burned per 10-minute session, totaling 400 calories during a 1-hour period. It's important to note that this study had cooldown periods between sessions and used sedentary individuals with higher body mass and lower heat tolerance, who tend to burn more calories during a sauna session.

Is sauna good for hair?

The heat in the sauna stimulates scalp blood flow, and a scalp massage whilst in the sauna can help take advantage of this. The heat and massage stimulate blood vessels in the scalp, improving the delivery of nutrients vital to hair growth.

Do saunas help with cellulite?

Science-backed Benefits of Sauna for Cellulite

This intense sweating process not only helps with lymphatic drainage, it's also thought to help dissolve and destabilise the fat cells associated with cellulite, potentially helping to eliminate them from the body.

What are the negatives of a sauna?

Although sauna bathing does not cause drying of the skin-and may even benefit patients with psoriasis-sweating may increase itching in patients with atopic dermatitis. Contraindications to sauna bathing include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis.

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.

What is the best thing to do right after a sauna?

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.

What happens after 30 days of cold showers?

Taking cold showers every day for 30 days may lead to increased energy levels and alertness as well as improved overall health. Your skin and hair may feel and look better due to the reduced drying and irritating effects of a hot shower. However, remember, individual responses to cold therapy vary.

How to activate brown fat?

Lowering the temperature: Brown fat activates at colder temperatures, right before you start shivering. Some studies suggest turning down the thermostat, taking a cold shower or an ice bath could activate brown fat to help your body produce more to burn more calories.

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