04/09/2026
This contrast between heat and cold is often described as thermal contrast therapy.
๐ฅ During sauna/steam
Heat causes:
โ Skin temperature
โ Blood flow to the skin
โ Heart rate
Sweating
Cardiovascular stress
Sauna research has associated regular sauna exposure with cardiovascular benefits, although much of the long-term evidence is observational and doesnโt prove that sauna itself causes those benefits.
Cold causes:
Rapid skin cooling
Peripheral blood-vessel constriction
โ Blood pressure
Changes in heart rate and autonomic activity
A 2024 systematic review found measurable cardiovascular and autonomic changes following cold-water exposure.
โGradual transitions help your body safely adapt to the heat and cold, while the combination can promote relaxation, cooling, alertness and post-exercise recovery.โ