Invigorating Sea, Cold Therapies
As more people look for unique ways to practice wellness, such things as cold treatments and thalassotherapy are experiencing a surge in popularity.
Wellness seekers embrace such experiences as invigorating cold plunges and book visits to Nordic spas as they look for ways to boost their circulation, reduce inflammation and improve overall well-being.
Nordic Spas
A Nordic spa is inspired by Scandinavian wellness traditions, particularly the concept of hydrotherapy, which uses contrasting hot and cold treatments to promote relaxation and recovery. The typical Nordic spa experience involves a cycle of warming up the body, cooling down with cold exposure and resting.
This cycle is repeated several times and can include saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and most notably, cold plunges or showers. The sharp shift from hot to cold stimulates blood circulation, relaxes muscles and helps remove toxins from the body. Nordic spas often feature serene, nature-inspired environments, enhancing the calming and restorative effects of the treatment. The ritual can improve both physical and mental wellness, leaving participants feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Cold Plunges
Cold plunges, another growing trend, are frequently included in wellness routines for their energizing and restorative effects. Typically, a cold plunge involves immersing the body in water between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes. This practice, rooted in ancient cultures like the Romans and Japanese, has been found to increase circulation, reduce muscle inflammation and speed up recovery from exercise or injury.
Cold exposure causes blood vessels to constrict and then dilate, which stimulates circulation and brings fresh, oxygenated blood to the skin and muscles. This process helps relieve pain, reduce swelling and speed up healing. Beyond the physical benefits, cold plunges are known to increase mental clarity and elevate mood, as they trigger the release of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals in the brain.
Spas are offering them in a number of different ways from showers that dump large amounts of icy water on the guest with the tug of a rope to pools that guests immerse themselves in for anywhere from several seconds to a few minutes.
Thalassotherapy
Thalassotherapy originated from the Greek word “thalassa,” meaning sea. This therapy involves using seawater and marine products like seaweed and algae for their therapeutic benefits. Practiced for centuries in Europe, especially in coastal areas, thalassotherapy is believed to nourish the body with essential minerals, improve circulation and promote skin health.
Often found in wellness centers by the sea, thalassotherapy can include treatments such as seawater baths, wraps and cold-water jets. Many people seek thalassotherapy for its detoxifying properties and its ability to improve skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Medical News Today reported that a few studies indicate it may help with such conditions as fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal disorders when used in combination with traditional medical treatments.
Some common forms of thalassotherapy treatments include bathing, swimming, hydromassage, aquatic exercise and applying sea products (such as seaweed or sea salt) to the body.