First Impressions on Contrast Therapy at Float Seattle (Greenwood)
A typical sauna cycle is like a slow dance into different environments. Each room or pool with varied temperatures allows you to take your time, lingering in a blissful state for the evening.
The science behind a sauna cycle is simple. In the heat, you’re activating your circulatory system to renew your immune system, and then a cold plunge expels everything, enlivening your joints, muscles, and skin. Contrast therapy, it’s designed to maximize the physiological effects in just an hour.
In the sauna, I started my session with a few stretches to awaken my full range of motion and within 15 minutes I started to break a sweat.
A quick 30-second shower and then I stood in front of the cold plunge, ready to endure the fun challenge.
After I stepped in, I didn’t hesitate, I knew that the best way to feel relief was to cover my whole body in the cold. The water was colder than I expected. I’ve done hydrotherapy cycles in 56° or 63° pools and in those, I would wade with my head above water for about 3 minutes and hold my breath underwater for about 30 seconds. This 45° water had numbing effects, especially on my feet. It didn’t take long to feel thoroughly transferred from too warm to too cold. I laid back for about 15 seconds and dipped my head under for 10 seconds.
After I carefully hopped out, I forgot to dry off and jumped into the sauna thinking it would zap the cold but that was certainly a mistake. It took me way longer to warm up. I curled in front of the heater wearing a robe and gathering extra towels around me. I was cold but I wasn’t shivering like when I’m outside without a jacket, my skin was cold to the touch but I felt warm inside. This sauna session took me way longer to start sweating, I knew I could improve in the next cycle.
Showered for 15 seconds with water on the colder side and plunge right in. I wasn’t as shocked the second time, I was able to lay back for 30 seconds and look at the clock to notice. I then went underwater and counted the seconds, 15 this time which was a similar increment from previous cold water training so I felt good about my progress.
After the cold, I dried off with a towel before heading back into the sauna and it made a big difference. In a robe with a towel wrapped on my head, the sauna hugged me as I sat in a meditative fold. My mind wandered to memories of other times when I was fully relaxed which extended my exhales to an even deeper release.
15 minutes of sweating in the sauna
10 seconds in the shower
30 seconds laying back in the cold plunge with my head underwater for 20 seconds
I started to notice the athlete in me. I felt like I was practicing a skill like running a faster mile, lifting 5 extra pounds, or balancing on one leg with even more grace.
I’m getting stronger, I feel more energized and empowered. How simple that this contrast in environmental elements could help me feel this liberated!
When I went for my last cold plunge, I left the robe in the sauna to keep warm for when I transfer to the float room. In my float room, I didn’t want to float right away, I was energized and feeling alive. I took some notes and I’m glad I did because, after a two-hour float, I forgot the little observations I made.
My cheeks were pink like I was outside playing in the snow all day.
My lungs felt like they were filled with fresh mountain air, and my heart felt strong.
My shoulders felt flexible and pain-free and I felt like I could do an hour of yoga with full vibrato.
After a sauna, I usually replenish my electrolytes with a tablet in my water but after the contrast room, I forgot. About half an hour into the float, I was getting a distracting headache so I got out, mixed in my tablet, and took a few gulps. Within 30 seconds, the headache faded away as I faded back into the float. I’m really glad I had those and now I always remember to have them in my spa bag, especially if I’m going to sweat.
The effects of the cold plunge carried through about 3 days after. My heart feels strong and my shoulders are at ease. My mental anguish has subsided and I feel present and grounded in situations both pleasant and unpleasant.
Float Seattle has a contrast room at their Greenwood location and I wish I could be in there longer than an hour, I would have liked to take my time with about 5 cycles. I’m motivated to return to contrast therapy to work on a thorough sweat, incrementally increase my time in the cold plunge, and thrive from its benefits.
July 7, 2022
