Infrared Sauna & Cold Water plunge spa: A Surprising but unique first time experience

Infrared Sauna and Cold Water Spa: A Surprising but Unique First Time Experience

Combining Infrared Sauna and Cold Water Spa for Optimal Health

Ever wonder what it would be like to plunge your body into ice water? Or wonder if it’s really that bad? How is it that people can’t seem to do it more than a few minutes, if not seconds? Well, these were certainly my thoughts and questions before deciding to try it out myself.

Many people are discovering the benefits of combining an infrared sauna and cold water spa for enhanced relaxation and recovery.

I took a trip to Solace Studio in St Pete Florida. I scheduled both a multicolored (chromotherapy) infrared-light sauna. It was followed by a cold bath plunge, as recommended by the owner of the studio.

Infrared Chromotherapy Sauna Experience

The private sauna room was dimly lit, and inside was a small sauna big enough just for 1 person. This unique chromotherapy sauna therapy allowed me to connect my phone & listen to whatever my heart desired.

I decided on listening to my “Zen” playlist on Spotify. My Zen playlist consists of songs I’ve put together, containing relaxing music. So, I sat in this room, while listening to my “Zen” for about 45 minutes.

I was instructed to sit in the room with just a bathing suit & a towel. This was so that my full body would really get all the beneficial effects of the different chromotheapy-lights. These colors included Red, yellow, green, blue, turquoise, and violet. I was able to change the colors as much as I wanted to my preference. Based on what therapy I wanted to focus on. I did 5-10 minutes of each color, well because why on earth not!

Each color in the Chromotherapy Sauna has have different benefits.

Red: is for Increased Circulation

Yellow is for clarity of intellect, toxic elimination, & strengthening endocrine function.

Blue: also calming, helps with sleep disorders, headaches, nervous and reduces tension.

Green: reduces body inflammation, joints and tissues swelling & is Calming.

Turquoise: is for mental relaxation, & help to regulate lung and intestinal imbalances

Violet: improves lymphatic system & aids with menopausal symptoms.

After 45 minutes I was sweating more than I thought was humanly possible. That was before I began to feel like I may potentially pass out. I exited the sauna drained & week, shamefully having to put my towel down on the floor, to lay down.

I hurried and placed a towel on the cool floor and put legs up against the wall.  I honestly felt like I was minutes away from passing out! So, raising my legs helped to increase circulation back to my head, to get back equilibrium quicker… I Guess I over did it.

Cold Water Plunge Experience

Once regaining my sense of equilibrium, I walked in the next room which had the cold plunge.

The apparent ice/cold water plunge benefits includes: Improving Circulation, Reduce Muscle Soreness, Enhance Recovery, Increase metabolism, Boost immune system, Mental Health benefits, Improve sleep, Enhanced focus, Skin health, and Performance achievement.

How long should you try to remain in the  cold bath?

Initially one should aim to remain in cold water bath for about 1-3 minutes.

Over Time you can work your way up to about 5-10 minutes.

The container pretty much looked like a refrigerator turned on its side with water poured into it. I set the timer for 1 minute (ya right..). After that, I put on my music and walked into the ice box. I did this as fast as I could before I could consider aborting mission.

My 1st thought was “Holy crap!!”

My 2nd thought was “Dang like this hurts!”

My 3rd thought was “Is this normal?”

My 4th thought was “I think I’m getting a blood clot… in my left leg”

My 5th thought was “What if the clot dislodges then travel up into my lungs”.

My last & final thought was “Save yourself and get out NOW!!”.

Needless to say, I probably lasted 30 seconds… maybe less. I know, disgraceful!! As I exited the icebox, I felt like little needles were pricking my entire body.

I quickly dried off, and you would not believe this but right after drying off, I felt incredibly invigorated!! I became super charged with so much energy, almost instantly. It was wonderful!

I’m not sure how it effects one’s endorphins, but I certainly felt like I got a hit of happy juice. Before leaving, I hydrated & ate a tangerine. Then proceeded to go to one my favorite coffee shops. Link to ~ My Favorite Coffee Shops

So yes, I would recommend a cold-water plunge. Especially for athletes if wanting to recover quickly from exhaustion or muscle soreness. I would definitely also do it again. However, buying one for home may be more convenient, it’s said to be easy to set up & cost-effective. Here are two tubs, I would probably consider – Small Ice Tub or Large Ice Tub for Athletes. Next time (now that I know what to expect), I will bare it a little longer. Instead of seeing my life flash before my eyes & escaping quickly in unreasonable paranoia…….. Maybe I’ll even set a new time record, ha!

Check out another one of my written blogs: Experience Luxury: A Business Class Flight to Asia with Air Canada