I tried hot and cold therapy for one month and it kicked my winter blues
Arguably, hot and cold therapy is not the most obvious choice in the peak of winter especially since the ‘cold’ involves an outdoor 2 degree cold plunge pool. Despite this, the instant feel good hormones made it easy to stick with everyday for a whole month and in my opinion, it was better than caffeine.
Winters in the UK can feel long and dreary, and every year as autumn sets in, I notice the toll it takes on my mental well-being, energy levels, and even my skin, to name a few. While this season should ideally encourage rest and slower living, modern life rarely allows for that, leaving us running on empty in colder months. Determined to change that, I decided to incorporate something into my daily routine that would truly energise me. And a quick conversation with my Finnish partner gave me the perfect inspiration.
Sauna, which is an ancient Finnish word, has been around for thousands of years and is a large part of Finnish culture.Whenever I visit my partner’s hometown in Northern Finland, I’m always amazed to find that even a friend living in a small studio flat will often have a built in sauna, it’s like the Scandinavian bidet. It’s more of a need than a luxury, and at first I didn’t fully understand it but I learnt to love it, especially during winters where the temperature can plummet to -30°C.
In Finland, you are raised going to sauna everyday just before dinner time with families and grow up to socialise with friends at weekends having ‘sauna’ meets for the whole evening. The ‘cold’ or contrast therapy is often a dip in snow or a hole in a frozen lake. Recently, saunas have transcended Finnish tradition, becoming a global wellness phenomenon.
Recent studies on the Finnish population show proven links between contrast therapy and improvements in overall health and wellbeing. This surge in popularity owes a lot to major celebrity advocates like Jennifer Aniston, Alicia Keys, Jessica Alba, and Demi Moore, who’ve raved about the transformative benefits.
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Since having a sauna at home isn’t exactly standard in the UK (and a built-in one definitely wasn’t in my budget), I was stuck on how to make sauna and contrast therapy part of my daily routine because getting to my gym daily wasn’t realistic and most gyms don’t even offer a cold plunge option. That’s when I stumbled upon PortaSauna, who had created the ideal solution to bring the sauna experience into my home without breaking the bank.
PortaSauna launched in January 2024, about a year ago now when the Founder, Jordan Boon, created a sauna that you can set up in your garden or any outdoor space in 15mins and heat up to 100 degrees. Their product offering also includes a plunge pool and the option to get both as a wellness package, which is exactly what I was after to try to kick my winter blues.
I was shocked at how quickly the PortaSauna products were set up and ready to use, without needing too much space. Honestly, even someone who struggles with IKEA wardrobes like me can do it solo. We did have a helping hand from their Commercial Director, Harry, who kindly got us ready for contrast therapy in an afternoon so I can’t brag too much but the maintenance has since been low- just add firewood.
It’s impressively sturdy and has withstood winter storms, high winds, and freezing temps without a glitch. The design is sleek and minimal, with wood detailing reflecting the Finnish sauna vibe. It also has great airflow and windows for natural light, which will be ideal for scenic camping trips come summertime.
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One of the best parts is that it serves as a base with plenty of room for personalisation. We’ve already added mood lighting around the sauna for all the cosy vibes, and next on our list is wooden flooring to elevate the indoor space with more warmth and character.
Harry joined PortaSauna amidst his sobriety journey and found it to be a space that supported and complemented his healing process.“Contrast therapy has become a key part of my recovery and overall wellbeing. Cold water therapy helps me stay present, clear my mind, and build resilience, while the sauna provides space to relax, reflect, and reset.” says Harry.
It’s inspiring to see someone deeply involved with the brand who has personally experienced the transformative benefits of contrast therapy and is now passionate about bringing it into the everyday lives of people in the UK.
“Together, they’ve become a hobby that nurtures my mind, body, and soul in ways I never expected. It’s had such a positive impact on my recovery journey, helping me find balance and maintain a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.” says Harry.
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6 Surprising Benefits I Gained From One Month of Contrast Therapy
I noticed an overall improvement in my mood, mostly I felt more balanced and less stressed. In moments when I might get anxious, I was able to look forward to a few moments of stillness and breathing in the sauna that alleviated that feeling. Immediately after doing hot and cold therapy, which mostly happened in the evenings, I felt refreshed and calm. It was such a welcomed change to the otherwise low mood I experience during winter at the end of the day - safe to say those dark evenings have felt a lot less gloomy.
From the very first sauna and cold plunge I did, I had an easier time falling asleep and staying asleep. I felt ending on the sauna part would always set me up for a good night of sleep. Two weeks in, I noticed how naturally I was waking up in the morning because of how rested I felt so I shifted to doing contrast therapy mostly in the evenings to set me up for the best snooze.
I often have a lot of muscle tension after exercise especially when strength training and the pain can be a nuisance. Contrast therapy immediately after exercise became a sure way to relax my muscles and it also gave me the perfect opportunity to have a little extra stretch and breathwork to prepare my body for good recovery.
It’s hard to find healthy social activities in winter with friends, most outings seem to revolve around drinking, so discovering an alternative that lets you hang out and connect in a unique way has been a game changer and allowed for lots of downtime with friends and family.
The main reason for me wanting to venture into contrast therapy was a noticeable dip in my energy during winter months. Since starting, I’ve seen a shocking change in how much more energised I feel in the mornings, rarely wanting to crawl back into bed as I often do during peak winter. It’s like a reset button for my body and mind, leaving me feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. This boost of energy has helped me stay productive and positive, even during the darkest months.
Normally at this time of year I would be breaking out in hives and they started creeping in early November but have been completely absent since I’ve started contrast therapy. Sweating in a sauna helps release toxins and heavy metals from your body through the skin, which has noticeably improved my skin health in colder months.
PortaSauna products are available on their website from £1,860.00.
For more from Londiwe Ncube, GLAMOUR's European Fashion Editor, follow her on @londisgoods.
