A big part of my life is health and fitness, and I believe strongly that a healthy body contributes to a healthy mind and these both contribute strongly to a happy soul. Most definitely a big element in my happiness anyhow. Part of my weekly routine is hot and cold therapy, I get this mostly via sauna and cold-water immersion, unfortunately Ice baths aren't readily available for me so just ice baths on a Sunday.

At least twice a week I'll do a 25-minute dry sauna in 75-80 degrees Celsius. Followed by 6 minutes cold water, where I'll practice my breathwork on the base of the pool as I crawl up and down it to complete the specified time. Sauna has a huge variety of mental and physical health benefits which include.

1. Improves cardiovascular health

2. Reduces stress and anxiety

3. Enhances Immune function

4. Relieves pain and reduces inflammation -

5. Promotes better sleep

6. Detoxifies the body

7. Boosts mood

8. Improves skin health

9. Enhances endurance

10. Release of heat shock proteins

The above are just some of the amazing health benefits that sauna use can provide. Along with these, and many more though is this internal battle with yourself. Sometimes as I sit in the sauna sweating, overheating and finding it difficult to breath. I look at my watch or the timer and realise I have at least 5 minutes left, I close my eyes and struggle, I go into a dark place as I try to control my mind and body but each time I sit there and battle through to achieve that end result, as my alarm goes off, I feel a euphoric feeling of achievement as well as a huge release in physical and mental tension as I walk out and head toward the cold water, where I battel in the opposite direction against the same struggle.

The mind and body need to be pushed on a regular basis and apart from the physical benefits that exercise produces, there are a huge number of mental benefits. when you stress the body, your mind goes into a reactionary state as you are unable to focus on anything except the task at hand and overcoming that struggle releases endorphins, not only from the exercise itself but also from the success of overcoming that hurdle in your mind. I strongly endorse physical exercise, mental struggle and everything associated.

I believe strongly in sauna use for physical stress, mental fortitude as well as incredible recovery benefits. The feeling of finishing a sauna followed by cold water is an incredible feeling and although I would not say I am always happy in the moment, I know what I'm going to achieve by overcoming it and I know that feeling that's going to come at the end and that, is truly such a wonderful happy feeling.

Hope you have a great day!

Thanks,

Dean