Unbelievable benefits and science of using Sauna and ice-bath together

Here is super interesting article I fully recommend to all of you interested to live longer and happier life. Access it here.

If you’ve looked into stressing your body for the purpose of adapting and becoming stronger, you’re probably aware of the benefits provided by infrared saunas and ice baths. As a result, you may be wondering how cold therapy compares to sauna use, and if you can reap additional benefits by combining the two practices. 

This article will give you a brief overview and a side-by-side comparison of the benefits of cold therapy and infrared saunas (see the table below). I’ll also discuss the combined benefits you can reap from engaging in what’s called a “nordic cycle” — a practice that involves going back and forth from ice cold water to a hot sauna.

Combined Health Benefits

Now that you know that combining cold therapy with sauna bathing can amplify the individual health benefits listed in the table above, let’s talk about how that works from a physiological perspective. 

Here are all eight amazing benefits:

1. Helps You Adapt and Become Stronger (Hormesis)

2. Increases Blood Flow

3. Improves Immune Function

4. Burns Fat and Helps You Lose Weight

5. Helps You Reduce Stress

6. Increases Energy Levels

7. Boosts Your Mood

8. Improves Sleep

How I Leverage Cold Plunging and Sauna Sessions

Now that you’ve learned about all the benefits of combining sauna bathing with cold plunging, let me show you how I use these techniques on a regular basis.

In a nutshell, I don’t have a fixed schedule that I follow. Instead, I’m opportunistic, and I try to keep my sauna and cold plunging sessions as random as possible so my body doesn’t get used to it.

Practically that means incorporating the following routines into my daily and weekly schedule:

• Morning cold plunge before a workout.

• Cold plunge followed by a sauna session in the afternoon/evening.

• Sauna session followed by a cold plunge in the afternoon/evening.

• Solo sauna session on recovery days.

• Random afternoon/evening cold plunge.

• Cold plunge after an intense workout.

That doesn’t mean I do everything on the (above) list every day. Instead, I incorporate one or two of these routines based on how much time I have, my recovery needs and other factors.

Often, how I feel determines what recovery methods I choose and for how long I stay in the cold plunge or infrared sauna.

On days that I deal with elevated stress levels, I usually combine cold plunging with sauna bathing because it’s more effective than doing only one of the two.

On days I feel mentally weak or when it’s cold outside, I stay in the cold plunge for longer (up to 12 minutes) to teach my brain that weakness isn’t an option. 

Overall, I encourage you to try different tactics to see what works best for you. Just keep in mind that “what works best” isn’t necessarily what feels most comfortable — especially if your goal is to improve your resilience and become mentally stronger.  

Read the whole article here.