Hot and cold explosure rebalances the body and mind, promoting holistic wellbeing. After warming up with an intensive gym session, or relaxing comfortably in a sauna, the body needs to cool down properly. Snow offers an inviting, regenerative and gentle method to cool the body after being heated up from active or passive activities.
Cold and heat work hand-in-hand to deliver the full health-boosting qualities of thermotherapy. The delightful contrast of temperatures enhances the sense of well-being for body, mind and soul.
The strong temperature contrast creates positive stress for the whole body, stimulating a physical response. In cold temperatures, the body's protective mechanisms run at full speed: Cold improves blood circulation and stimulates the cardiovascular system, boosting the immune system and promoting regeneration.
Positive effects of cold on the body
Detoxification
Relaxation
Improved sleep
A stronger immune system
Cardiovascular system
Pain relief
Regeneration
Mental health
Training the blood vessels
Fat burning
The increased oxygen supply leads to the efficient removal of metabolic waste. This detoxifying effect increases the firmness of the tissue and improves the appearance of the skin.
Endorphins and serotonin are released and act together to evoke a general feeling of contentment and a deep sense of relaxation.
The release of endorphins helps both mind and body relax, promoting restful sleep. Lower stress levels and improved mental well-being are also important factors for better sleep quality.
The immune system is boosted by the improved blood circulation and the increased oxygen supply to the tissue. The defense system is better equipped, and harmful free radicals are defused more quickly.
The cardiovascular system is stimulated by the interplay between hot and cold: the heart rate rises when exposed to cold, but falls to below its original rate afterwards.
Dry cold has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. The blood vessels constrict, and the blood flow at pain points decreases. This has an analgesic and decongestant effect on bruising and torn muscles as well as on chronic joint pain.
With intense exercise, the lactate in the blood increases and accumulates in the muscle. The cold improves blood circulation and boosts metabolism. The lactate is broken down more quickly from the muscle, enabling the muscles to regenerate quickly. Inflammation subsides at a faster rate and the body can recharge its batteries more rapidly.
Through cold, the body is exposed to positive stress and has to acclimatize physiologically. This trains the body’s ability to react to and recover from stressful situations, and, in turn, reduces long-term stress.
Blood vessels dilate in warm temperatures and contract in the cold. Through cold therapy, blood vessels are being "trained" (just like we train our muscles), leading to improved blood circulation for the entire body: skin, muscles and other tissues. This process also improves skin texture, leaving it more even.
In cold temperatures, the metabolism is stimulated and brown fat cells are activated to warm the body. This practice has been proven to help with weight loss.
The positive effect of cold on the body is steeped in deep tradition and has proven its worth over centuries. In Ancient Rome, the interaction between heat and cold was put to good use in thermal baths. While the Finns continue to follow their traditions to this day and still commonly practice cooling down after a sauna session in the snow or by bathing in an ice hole. In the 1800s, pastor and naturopath Sebastian Kneipp thoroughly researched the interaction between heat and cold stimuli and its positive effects on health.
Fascination with the cold continues to this day. Modern wellness seekers focus increasingly on cold therapies for medical, physiotherapy or aesthetic purposes, while biohackers are using the positive effects of cold to promote both physical and psychological wellbeing.
Snow can be integrated into contrast therapy in a variety of creative ways. Our concept ideas illustrate how snow can be used to take guest experiences to a new level.
