Infrared saunas and cold plunges, once rarely mentioned, became prominent across social media, advertisements and wellness centers throughout the United States.
Salt and Light Wellness, located in Southern California, is one of many wellness centers offering a range of services, including infrared saunas and cold plunges.
Athletic and wellness centers worldwide increasingly adopted infrared saunas and cold plunges, drawing interest to their growing popularity. Both offered short- and long-term benefits aimed at enhancing physical and mental well-being.
According to Mass General Hospital, infrared saunas differed from conventional saunas by heating the body from the inside out. Instead of warming the body at the surface level, infrared rays penetrated the body’s core, raising internal temperature and allowing users to experience its benefits.
The increased body temperature supported detoxification by releasing heavy metals and cleansing the skin. Infrared sauna use also boosted the immune system by increasing white blood cell production, strengthening the body’s defense against toxins.
In addition to detoxification and immunity, infrared saunas provided pain relief and relaxation. Increased circulation during sauna sessions reduced inflammation and contributed to a pain-relieving effect.
With consistent use at temperatures between 120 and 150 degrees, the benefits increased and supported recovery and physical preparedness.
Cold plunges offered a contrasting but complementary wellness practice. According to Plunge, cold plunges performed at temperatures below 60 degrees benefited circulation, muscle recovery, immunity and mental health.
Cold plunging caused blood vessels to constrict and dilate rapidly, limiting swelling and allowing oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to circulate throughout the body.
This process supported muscle recovery by reducing inflammation and returning nutrients to the muscles following immersion in cold water.
Cold plunges also offered mental benefits. By training the body to tolerate extreme cold, participants strengthened mental resilience and willpower over time.
The controlled discomfort promoted mental clarity and calm, which often carried into other areas of life. Cryotherapy served as another form of cold shock therapy but lacked physical contact, making it a less effective option than submersive cold plunges.
David Treto, junior construction management major, said he was familiar with cold plunges and similar treatments.
“While I’ve never done a cold plunge, I’ve heard of it along with cryotherapy, and that cold plunge is better than cryotherapy,” Treto said.
Cold plunges triggered the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, increasing alertness, focus and mood.
Whether through infrared saunas or cold plunges, both wellness practices offered a range of benefits without requiring extreme commitment. Those seeking to improve health, enhance athletic performance or support recovery found these methods provided holistic options for physical and mental care.
