Hot and Cold Therapy
If you’re new to the world of hot and cold therapy, you’ve come to the right place.
Vitality House offers you both via Infrared Saunas and Ice Baths, a combination to well and truly improve your health - both mentally and physically.
Yes it works, and yes it feels really good on all levels.
Infrared Sauna
We’ve all heard of a traditional sauna. The thought of that extreme heat and intense sweating may be a little intimidating and let’s be real, it’s not for everyone. However, the benefits are unquestionable and much desired. So, how do we reach a happy medium?
That’s where Infrared Saunas come in. Unlike a traditional sauna, which heats the air within the space, an Infrared heats your body directly at lower temperatures. The body perspires and receives all the healthy benefits, but avoids some of the harmful and unbearable conditions that come with a traditional sauna. To sum it up and get a little technical, the infrared light works by emitting wavelengths that penetrate the soft tissue deep below the skin. This opens the blood vessels, and creates a process of ‘dilation’ that is perfectly ideal for cleansing and improving circulation within the body.
Sound good?
The Benefits: Detoxification, Relaxation, Skin Health, Better Sleep, Relief from Sore Muscles and Joint Pain, Improved Circulation
Whether you’re wanting to start your week on a high or needing a bit of an unwind after a long week, an infrared sauna provides the benefits that go beyond relaxation.
Here at Vitality House we have three saunas, one of them being the Yoga Sanctuary Sauna which allows for extra room and the option to stretch or practice yoga/movement - how good!
Ice Baths
You might be thinking ‘why on earth would I plunge myself into extreme cold voluntarily?’ We get it. BUT with a huge range of physical and mental benefits, trust us- it's worth it.
Other than making us feel great, ice baths help to:
Ease sore and aching muscles - aiding in post-workout muscle recovery and helping with any tightness or tension after sitting at your desk all-day
Benefit your central nervous system by improving our sleep quality and reducing fatigue
Decrease the amount of inflammation in the body by constricting the blood flow
Activate the Vagus Nerve - exposing yourself to extreme cold increases stimulation of the vagus nerve (the nerve that is responsible for the regulation of all internal organs) which in turn increases the parasympathetic (rest and digest) activity
Put your body through oxidative stress which essentially trains a nervous system to be resilient to stress.
The verdict on Hot and Cold Therapy
Clearly, both hot and cold therapies have incredible benefits for you. If you’re struggling to choose between the two, why not immerse yourself in both? The Nordic Cycle involves combining both hot and cold therapies in order to maximise the benefits to your body.
The only rule? Heat must come before cold.
An infrared sauna, followed by an ice bath, is the best way for the body to raise the tempo and bring it back down again. When we enter extremely high temperatures, our body senses stress; our sensory pain is reduced and we become more alert. When we plunge into cold temperatures after, it reverses this effect, forcing our bodies to focus on reproducing heat.
The Benefits of the Combo:
Adrenaline Rush
Endorphin Release
Increased Blood Circulation
Improved Skin and Complexion
Whether you’re upstairs working in the co-work lounge, revitalising in the wellness spa, or taking a class in our mindfulness studio- why not start or end the day feeling invigorated with hot or cold therapy? Or as we recommend, treat yourself to both.
