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SF is embracing saunas and cold plunges. Are they good for you?
San Francisco Chronicle • • health
Key Points:
- Adam Zolot incorporated a sauna and cold plunge into his Dogpatch Paddle & Kayak business in San Francisco, which unexpectedly became popular with local and Bay Area residents seeking health and wellness benefits.
- Scientific studies, especially from Finland, support sauna use for improved cardiovascular health and reduced mortality risk, while evidence for cold plunges is less conclusive but promising for healthy aging.
- Experts recommend alternating between 20 minutes in a 180-200°F sauna and 1-3 minutes in a cold plunge at 32-60°F, typically repeating this cycle three times, with precautions for certain health conditions.
- Saunas provide benefits similar to exercise by stressing the body through heat, promoting blood vessel dilation and cellular repair, while cold plunges may activate stress responses that enhance metabolism and immune function.
- Despite some discomfort with cold plunges, users report a strong sense of well-being, and the combination of heat and cold is considered especially effective for relaxation and rejuvenation.
