How Can you Improve your Mental Health at SweatHouz?
That post-sweat feeling of relaxation and accomplishment is hard to beat. More importantly, committing to positive health habits, like regular sweat sessions, can have a profound impact on your mental well-being. At SweatHouz, we believe in a holistic approach to wellness, and it turns out that what we offer can have both immediate and long-term effects on your mood and overall mental health.
In this article, we’ll explore how you can improve your mental health at SweatHouz with four key benefits supported by research and experience.
Boost Your Mood with Cold Plunges
Mood is often thought of as a temporary emotional state that can be influenced by our environment, daily stressors, and overall behaviors. Cold water exposure is known for its ability to lift mood by triggering the release of neurotransmitters like epinephrine and norepinephrine. The sense of accomplishment after sticking it out for 3-5 minutes in the cold plunge can also boost self-confidence.
Moreover, cold plunging can lead to a prolonged release of dopamine, which helps elevate your mood, increase focus, and enhance mental clarity. This makes cold plunges a favorite among our members, especially before big presentations, interviews, or stressful meetings. Regular cold exposure can be a great way to improve your mental health at SweatHouz while preparing you to tackle your day with a more positive mindset.
Better Sleep
Many adults recognize that sleep quality is linked to a myriad of health outcomes, like risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, mental health and more; however, many of us could stand to improve our sleep! At SweatHouz, both infrared saunas and red light therapy are two tools you can incorporate into your routine to help improve sleep.
Habitual sauna use may increase melatonin production, which can lead to improvements in sleep quality and latency in adults. Plus, using the sauna can help promote feelings of relaxation and help you manage stressors of daily life – both mentally and physically – which may make it easier for you to fall asleep that evening.
There is also emerging evidence suggesting that redlight therapy may improve sleep quality. For example, redlight therapy may improve sleep quality in athletes. A small study on female basketball players found that whole-body redlight exposure over 14 days was linked to better sleep and higher serum melatonin levels. Further, the National Sleep Foundation also recommends LED light therapy for people with insomnia.
Support Brain Health and Reduce Cognitive Decline
A significant portion of the healthspan-related research on sauna use comes from long-term studies in Finland, where sauna bathing is a common cultural practice. A 2017 study, which followed over 2,000 participants, found that those who used saunas frequently—four or more times per week over several years—had a reduced risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This highlights the potential long-term cognitive benefits of regular sauna use.
Besides, data from the same Finnish cohort suggest that regular sauna users had lower likelihood of developing mental illness than those who rarely used the sauna. This is a case for being in it for the ‘long-game’ rather than the immediate, short-term benefits; the results of sauna use seem to be cumulative!
Reduce Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Can regular use of hot or cold therapy be an important part of a mental health treatment plan? Turns out researchers have been working to answer this question, and while more research is needed here, the emerging evidence is promising. Here’s a quick snapshot:
For example, a 2020 study on cold therapy showed that incorporating cold exposure into a treatment plan could significantly improve outcomes for individuals with depression, beyond standard medication alone. Similarly, whole-body heat therapy has been studied for its potential to reduce symptoms of major depressive disorder, with findings suggesting it may act as a fast-acting antidepressant with long-lasting effects.
Similarly, a 2016 experimental trial looked at whole-body heat therapy as part of a treatment plan for major depressive disorder. Researchers concluded that whole-body hyperthermia holds promise “as a safe, rapid-acting, antidepressant modality with a prolonged therapeutic benefit.”
Consistency is key to seeing results, and by visiting SweatHouz regularly, you can incorporate these therapies into your routine for lasting mental health improvements. Pre-booking your appointments on our mobile app makes it easy to stick with your self-care commitments and see the benefits of cold plunging and sauna use over time.