In a world where everything seems rushed and schedules are jam-packed, it’s important to take time to slow down. It’s in these quiet moments that you can stay present and reconnect with yourself. One way to do this is to experience a cold plunge. It offers several benefits, including stress reduction, which is excellent for both your mind and body. The key is to do it safely with a team that guides you through the process.
The VanderMarck Boutique Hotel in Collingwood, Ontario, in partnership with Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain, can help you create a relaxing spa vacation. The experience near Georgian Bay features a unique thermal journey, combining cold and hot temperatures to reinvigorate both your mental and physical well-being.
What Benefits Does a Cold Plunge Bring?
Taking a cold plunge is an exhilarating and transformative experience.
The human body naturally prefers a comfortable amount of heat. When exposed to the cold, it instinctively seeks the warmest heat source. However, sticking with the cold even for a few minutes may provide several benefits. For example, you might notice a decrease in inflammation and muscle soreness, although results can vary from person to person. Want to sleep better and improve your focus? Cold plunges might help with both.
Additionally, cold plunges trigger the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters and pain relievers. This means icy dips might help those who experience anxiety and depression.
Benefits of a Hot and Cold Thermal Journey
Chances are, you’re pulled in numerous directions on a daily basis, which can be stressful, overwhelming, and exhausting. A spa, like Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain, offers an opportunity to focus on your own physical, mental, and emotional needs without any distractions.
Among other benefits, they can help decrease your stress levels, improve sleep quality, and encourage mindfulness. When you add in a cold and hot thermal journey, the experience becomes even more enticing.
A hot and cold thermal journey involves moving between heat and cold features. There’s actually a name for it: contrast therapy. You expose your body to temperature extremes, such as going from a sauna to a cold plunge.
If you played sports and got injured as a kid or teenager, you might have been told to apply ice, then heat, then ice again. This cycle causes the blood vessels to narrow, then dilate, and then narrow once again. It can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and encourage healing.
Participating in a hot and cold thermal journey is a similar practice, but on a larger scale. Rather than targeting a limited area, such as only your knee or shoulder, it involves your entire body. The goal shifts from treating localized pain to promoting full-body wellness and relaxation. So, instead of putting ice on your knee, you put your entire body into an ice bath.
Safely Taking the Plunge
We want you to enjoy taking a cold plunge. But safety is important. It starts with consulting your doctor to get the go-ahead, especially if you have existing medical conditions. When you’re at the spa, don’t hesitate to ask questions, particularly if it’s your first time taking the plunge.
Ease into doing the cold plunge if you’re new to the practice. The goal is to submerge your body, but not at the expense of your well-being. Even a few seconds is a great start. You can build up to several minutes as your body gets used to it.
One of the most important things to do is focus on your breathing. You might initially feel a surge of panic and want to hop out. Stay calm and take slow, deep breaths. This will help you regain control and allow your body to adjust to the extreme temperature.
Where to Take the Plunge in Collingwood
Curious about where to try a cold plunge in Collingwood? Here are three excellent choices to check out.
Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain
Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain offers three hydrotherapy cycles, each tailored to your comfort level, as part of the Baths experience. The gentle beginner cycle is ideal for those new to hydrotherapy, while the intermediate cycle has a more invigorating effect with enhanced benefits. Regular spa-goers can enjoy the expert cycle, which provides the full therapeutic power of the hot-cold hydrotherapy experience.
Everlove
Try the sauna and ice bath combination at Everlove. These sessions offer many benefits, such as easing stress, improving blood circulation, and boosting your mood.
Cedarwood Wellness
Cedarwood Wellness features the thermal circuit, which consists of a wet or dry sauna followed by a cold plunge. Three pricing options are available, as are guided sessions.
Keep the Relaxation Going with the VanderMarck
The relaxing vibe doesn’t have to end when you’re done at the spa. Book a stay at the VanderMarck Boutique Hotel in Collingwood and make a weekend of it. Plus, we make it easy to share the experience with your favourite people. Book a girls’ getaway for some much-needed bonding time with friends, or bring your partner for a romantic escape.
Our boutique hotel provides the perfect setting to relax and reconnect. The picturesque town of Collingwood also has a variety of activities, events, and restaurants to enjoy year-round. Reserve your stay at the VanderMarck today.