Sauna to Cold Plunge: Is It Healthy, and What Should You Avoid After?
In a world moving faster than ever, thermal bathing is a practical way for the mind, body, and spirit to slow down. You’ll breath slower and deeper; your mind resume calm. At Mist Thermal on Bowen Island, we honour this ancient ritual with a contrast therapy circuit that was meditative even in its design, weaving together heat, cold, and nature. Whether you're looking for things to do on Bowen Island, a day trip from Vancouver, or a scenic spa experience, alternating between sauna and cold plunge can be a powerful practice for your whole being.
Let’s explore two common questions about this the Nordic spa practice:
Is it healthy to go from sauna to cold plunge?
The short answer is yes! When there are no pre-existing health concerns, and when done thoughtfully, contrast therapy is a time-tested wellness practice found in many cultures around the world. In various medical journals (such as this NIH Study on Contrast Bath Therapy), studies state Nordic spas and contrast therapy circuits can support:
Lymphatic drainage
Improved circulation
Reduced muscle soreness
Boosted endorphins and immune response
Alternating between heat and cold trains your vascular system, tones the skin, and stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system, also known as your body’s rest-and-digest mode.
What not to do after a cold plunge?
Though cold plunging offers many benefits (from increased alertness to reduced inflammation), there are a few things best avoided immediately after:
Don’t skip rest. After such an intense shift in temperature, your body needs time to recalibrate. At Mist Thermal, we invite guests to slow down by wrapping yourself in a cozy robe, sipping water or one of our house-blended herbal tisanes (complimentary during a Mist Experience), and unwinding by our outdoor fires. Let your system settle before continuing.
Don’t jump right back into the sauna. Rapidly re-exposing your body to high heat can stress the system. Give yourself at least 10 minutes before your next sauna round.
Don’t take a hot shower right away. Let your body warm itself naturally. This process strengthens thermoregulation and builds resilience over time.
Don’t overdo it. The secret lies in mindful pacing; the emphasis is on restoration and softness. Pushing your limits may undo the relaxation you’re seeking.
Looking to plan a daytrip from Vancouver or elsewhere?
If you’ve been searching online with the terms “cold plunge and sauna near me” or “holistic spa near me”, we are confident that few options match the serenity and elevated experience of Mist on Bowen. Mist isn’t just a Bowen Island spa: We’re a thermal sanctuary rooted in rest, elemental connection, and deep reconnection. Whether you're visiting for the day or upgrading to a two-night stay at our sister brand Nectar Yoga Retreat (located just next door), our 90 minute and 120 minute wellness experiences offer a reviving circuit of sauna, cold plunge, and forest bathing.
Our guests frequently share in their Mist Thermal Sanctuary reviews that they leave feeling “reset,” “deeply restored,” and more connected to themselves and the land. Mist offers one of the most holistic and scenic experiences available in British Columbia (see our recent press mention).
What makes the Mist experience truly unique is how seamlessly it’s woven into the surrounding forest. Towering conifers, lush ferns, and moss-covered boulders offer more than just a backdrop; they're part of the healing. Forest bathing isn’t a bonus here; it’s built into every breath, every step. Even Turkeytail mushrooms fruiting from old trunks and fallen logs remind us that nature is actively co-creating the experience of restoration.