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Best Things to Do on Bowen Island
Just a 20-minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay, Bowen is the perfect place to chase island charm or sneak in a little wellness for a 2-night stay or day trip from Vancouver. Here’s how to enjoy the best of Bowen Island (our own Bowen top picks) with easeful rest and a sense of wonder.
Are Cold Plunges Good for Women? Hormonal Balance, Perimenopause Considerations, Safe Temperatures, and When to Avoid
At Mist Thermal Sanctuary on Bowen Island, guests often ask us: Is cold plunging good for women? Studies indicate yes, though with a few considerations. For many, cold immersion brings an immediate lift: brighter mood, reduced inflammation, and a sense of reset. But for women who are pregnant, experiencing worsened cramps, have a heart condition, or are in perimenopause, the benefits (and potential drawbacks) merit a closer look.
A Private Sauna and Cold Plunge in the Rainforest on Bowen Island, 20 Minutes from Vancouver
Bowen Island sits just a 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, close enough to reach on a weekday afternoon and far enough that the city disappears from your mind.
Mist Thermal Sanctuary is a private sauna and cold plunge spa set inside that forest, on the same land as Nectar Yoga Retreat. It is one of the few places in British Columbia where the thermal experience is set outdoors and in privacy. The outdoor showers and cold plunge draw from an aquifer beneath the property.
Sauna Bathing: Benefits After a Workout, Sauna Secrets for Skin and Spirit
In studies, post-exercise sauna use can support muscle recovery, reduce soreness, and improve cardiovascular conditioning. Research show that sauna bathing helps reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by increasing circulation and helping clear metabolic waste from the body. For professional and recreational athletes alike, this means faster recovery and improved performance.
Not all these findings are as recent as we think. In this 2007 article, post-exercise sauna use and endurance performance found that sauna bathing after training significantly improved the running performance of competitive male athletes. sauna and cold plunge near me