What is a Sauna and cold plunge?
A sauna and ice plunge session involves a dual shock of hot and cold temperature exposure.
The sauna and plunge duo has a range of health benefits, including physical and mental well-being and unlike the benefits of standalone sauna bathing that require frequent sessions to be noticed, the advantages of a sauna and ice plunge routine are quick.
You're in for some really unique gains including releasing endorphins (the feel-good hormones), increasing your blood flow, soothing your nervous system, and more.
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What are the benefits of sauna cold plunge therapy?
• Enhances your body's natural healing process
• Relieves pain which makes you feel better
• Improves blood flow
• Enhances weight loss
• Boosts Immunity
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How long should you cold plunge after sauna?
When it comes to the benefits of sauna and ice bathing, they're not linked to the maximum time you spend in hot and cold temperatures. In other words, your regular sauna session followed by a short plunge in cold water should be enough to reap the health benefits.
It is suggested you go for a 20-30 minute sauna session followed by a 2-5 minute cold plunge.
For instance, if you're just starting out with a cold plunge sauna routine, 20 minutes in the sauna and a 2-minute cold plunge is suggested. You can then gradually increase the time in the sauna and cold water as your endurance capability improves over time (30 minutes in the sauna and 5-6 in the cold plunge).
Note: Even though spending more time in the sauna and cold plunge doesn't hurt, don't overdo it. While exceeding a sauna session can dehydrate you, overdoing a cold plunge can cause hypothermia.
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Which should you choose first, the sauna or the cold plunge?
According to an overwhelming majority of health and fitness experts, you should first go for a sauna then cold plunge.
However, a sauna session after a cold plunge does no harm at all. In fact, you might still be able to avail some of the benefits of sauna and cold plunge. But it goes without saying that the benefits of a cold plunge after sauna are unmatched vs sauna bathing after a plunge.
What time of the day is best to do a sauna/plunge session?
Just want to use the sauna, anytime will have health benefits. However,
cold plunge after sauna bathing, it is suggested you do it in the morning hours rather than in the evening.
Why? While saunas are all about unwinding, a cold plunge is linked to wakefulness...making you feel energized and alert.
So, a cold plunge after sauna is best suited for morning hours as it can make you feel invigorated and help you have a productive day.
