The Spa at Ardencote, Warwickshire’s 5-Bubble Spa, will be encouraging its guests to embrace the cold this inter as, for the first time, its outdoor pool remains open, operating as a plunge pool. Staying open to meet demand, the plunge pool will allow guests to adopt the Nordic style of hot and cold therapy to boost relaxation.
The wellness practice of hot and cold therapy dates back to the ancient Romans and Greeks and it still plays an important part in ancient Chinese medicine today. Hyperthermic conditioning, which means exposing the body to extreme temperatures, such as a hot sauna followed by a dip in a cold plunge pool, is scientifically proven to have several health benefits. From reducing lactic acid build up in the muscles and hormone regulation, to increasing the body’s red blood cell count and improving cardiovascular mechanisms, it is no wonder that it is a practice that elite athletes swear by!
Exposing the body to extreme temperatures on a regular basis, is linked and proven to result in increased energy, better sleep, improved metabolism, concentration and even a stronger immune system. However, this practice needs to be done mindfully in order to feel comfortable and experience its optimum benefits.
Holly Glynn, Spa Manager at The Spa at Ardencote has provided these top tips and guidance when it comes to enjoying the wellbeing benefits of hot and cold therapy safely:
- Stay hydrated: To feel comfortable and relaxed while in the sauna, you want to avoid any symptoms that may be related to dehydration such as dizziness and headaches. Try and drink at least 2 cups of water before entering the sauna.
- Duration of exposure: We would always recommend that guests spend at least 10 minutes in the sauna to ensure that the body temperature has increased enough before they enter the plunge pool.
- Slowly does it: If it is your first time using a plunge pool, instead of going straight in, you may want to consider spending a few seconds underneath a cold shower. Alternatively, you can splash your limbs with the cold water before taking the plunge! Doing this gradually will ensure that your body doesn’t go in to too much shock with the temperature change.
"Elite athletes may stay in a plunge pool for up to 10 minutes, but we always encourage our guests to listen to their bodies and stay within their limits. For some this could be a matter of seconds and for others this could be a minute or two. The body will begin to send signals to tell you that it is time to raise your core temperature again".
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