Taking an Ice Bath Can Help You Burn Body Fat, New Research Says
These findings may convince you to take an ice-cold dip and reap the benefits. Have you ever submersed yourself in a freezing cold ice bath? If you’re wondering, “Why the heck would I subject myself to such a brutally chilling experience?” just hear us out. Cold water therapy is associated with a host of incredible health benefits, including improving sleep, enhancing circulation, boosting energy levels, and decreasing inflammation, Healthline reports. Athletes also utilize this kind of treatment to help soothe sore muscles. Recent research adds yet another benefit to this impressive list: Taking an ice bath can help you burn body fat. Gear up, because if you’re still a bit skeptical, these findings may convince you to take a healthy, cold plunge! Even if you haven’t tried cold water/ice bathing before, you’ve likely seen or read about your favorite athletes and wellness [...]
The Magic of Sweating & Saunas with William Randall
Today, we chat with William Randall from SaunasUSA.com about the magic of sweating, Lakota sweat lodges, the power of rituals, a deep dive into the world of saunas (heat shock proteins, infrared vs. traditional, health benefits, costs, maintenance), and much more. Bill Randoll sports background: I grew up and was a sprinter up until High School, where I began to play tennis. At University of Illinois I played intramural sports as well as club Rugby for the University. After moving to San Diego I was introduced to distance running and ran with some of the best runners in the US and reached the top 5-10 over 40 runners in the US. I was on two National Master’s Cross country teams that won overall. Best times were 15:10 in the 5K, 32 minute 10K and 70 minute half marathon. Around 44 years old [...]
Why You Should Sweat In a Sauna This Winter
What’s better in winter than some alone time in a steamy sauna? Pretty much nothing. But as you sit there sweating all of your stresses away, you might wonder whether the sweltering heat is actually healthy. Fortunately, a swath of new research suggests that it is. For starters, sauna bathing might help you break out of the winter doldrums. “Some small studies have shown improvement in some symptoms of depression with sauna use, including hunger, pain, and ability to relax,” says Sagar Shah, M.D., a clinical instructor in the department of family and community medicine at the University of Wisconsin. Still, it’s important to remember a few safety tips. The risk of skin damage increases after 20 minutes of intense heat, so spend just 15 to 20 minutes steaming at a time, recommends Dr. Shah. Drink a glass of water before you [...]
Regular Sauna Baths May Greatly Reduce Risk of Strokes
“Steam rooms or hot tubs could produce similar results,” a researcher says “This long-term follow-up study shows that middle-aged to elderly men and women who take frequent sauna baths have a substantially reduced risk of new-onset stroke,” a study’s researchers concluded. Taking three sauna baths a week can significantly reduce the risk of stroke, and four to seven such baths are even better, a 15-year Finnish study suggests. “This long-term follow-up study shows that middle-aged to elderly men and women who take frequent sauna baths have a substantially reduced risk of new-onset stroke,” a team of researchers concluded in a summary of the findings published in the medical journal Neurology. For nearly 15 years the researchers tracked 1,628 adults age 53 to 74 who were free of stroke at the start. Some 155 “stroke events” occurred during that time. Subjects who took [...]