Starting the New Year with Contrast Therapy
Q: Why is contrast therapy one of the most effective ways to reset your body and mind after the holidays?
A: Alternating between heat and cold helps regulate the nervous system, improve circulation, and restore your natural energy rhythms. After weeks of overstimulation and indulgence, contrast therapy supports detoxification and brings your body back into a grounded balance.
A Season of Excess Meets the Wisdom of the Elements
The weeks following the holidays often leave many of us overstimulated, sleep-deprived, dehydrated, and maybe even energetically scattered. Rich foods, social commitments, travel, and screens all tax the nervous system.
At Mist Thermal Sanctuary on Bowen Island, our approach to recovery is guided by the natural world, specifically, the elements of fire and water. Contrast therapy, or hot-cold immersion, uses these opposites to restore equilibrium that is felt beyond the physiological and into the emotional.
May the new year meet you with steadiness, clarity, and warmth.
What Makes Contrast Therapy So Effective?
According to studies such as the one showing that “local alternating heat and cold stimulation … improved muscle tissue hemodynamics and autonomic nervous activity.” Another study noted that “cold-plunge and sauna routines … share synergistic effects in improving cardiovascular health, reducing stress and priming your body for a good night’s rest.” After weeks of possible overstimulation and indulgence, contrast therapy supports detoxification and brings your body back into a grounded and calm balance.
At its core, contrast therapy works by gently training your body to be adaptive. Here’s how:
Heat (Sauna or Steam):
Warming the body dilates blood vessels, increases circulation, and triggers the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” response). According to research, regular sauna bathing can reduce oxidative stress and improve cardiovascular function over time.Cold (Plunge or Shower):
Exposure to cold water causes a temporary constriction of blood vessels, followed by a rapid dilation as the body rewarms. This helps flush metabolic waste, invigorates the immune system, and increases mental alertness by increasing interaction within the brain.Alternation (Contrast):
Moving between heat and cold teaches the body adaptability, which is a trait essential for modern nervous systems overwhelmed by constant stimulation. In this way, contrast therapy becomes a form of somatic training for resilience.
From Detox to Regulation
Unlike quick “detox” fads, contrast therapy supports the body’s natural cleansing systems rather than overriding them.
By experiencing a Mist Circuit, you may notice:
a little more lightness and ease in your body
a more settled sleep the night after
a warmer glow and steadier rhythm
a quieter headspace and clearer mood
feeling more “in yourself,” in step with the season
The Elemental Reset: A Bowen Island Experience
Just 20 minutes from Vancouver by ferry, Mist Thermal Sanctuary on Bowen Island offers private sauna and cold plunge experiences nestled in the forest. Each circuit invites you to breathe with the forest, release with the water, and soften with the warmth of cedar-scented steam. For an ongoing practice, Mist Membership makes it easy to return, regulate, and repeat.
Extend the Relaxation and Resetting at Home
After your visit, continue your regulation consistently at home:
Use Mist Goods such as the Mist Body Wash to recreate the sensory calm of your circuit.
Practice alternating hot and cold showers for a few minutes daily.
Prioritize stillness and hydration, such as with this Mist Goods Herbal Tea, Garden Reverie.
Book Your Winter Circuit
The post-holiday months are a prime time to visit Bowen: cool air, quiet trails, towering conifers and moss underfoot, and a resinous forest scent that makes it easy to reset.
Common Questions about Sauna and Cold Plunges
Q: What is contrast therapy?
A: Contrast therapy alternates between heat and cold to improve circulation, support immune function, and regulate the nervous system.
Q: How long should each hot and cold phase last?
A: Most guests spend 10-15 minutes in the sauna, 15-60 seconds in the cold plunge and/or Transition Tub, then rest by the open fire overlooking the forest, then repeat the circuit.
Q: Can anyone do contrast therapy?
A: It’s generally safe for most people, though those with cardiovascular conditions or pregnancy should consult a healthcare professional first.
Q: Why visit Mist for contrast therapy instead of a city spa?
A: With Bowen Island just 20 minutes from Vancouver by ferry, Mist offers full privacy, forest immersion, and a personalized rhythm with contrasting elements, so it feels like a getaway from Vancouver without the cost of an overnight stay.
Sources:
https://mitohealth.com/blog/cold-plunge-sauna-longevity-heat-therapy
https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-018-1198-0
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00115.2017
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1087079218301552
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/saunas-and-your-health
This post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Cold-water immersion and thermal practices can affect people differently depending on their health, medications, and life stage. If you are pregnant, in perimenopause, living with a medical condition, or taking medication, speak with your healthcare provider before beginning. Do not disregard professional medical guidance or delay care because of what you’ve read here. Participation in cold plunging, sauna, or other thermal practices is a personal choice and carries its own risks.