How to Prepare for a Contrast Therapy Session
Preparing for a session of extreme cold and extreme heat does NOT equate to rolling up to a session with a double double, cafe au lait, or a pizza in hand. Over the years of practice I have witnessed people coming in on a full stomach, or currently in feeding mode. Full stomach has your body already busy. Your body cannot and will not provide the wondrous benefits that you seek because digestion is taking priority. This is adding more horrible stress to your body.
If your digestive system is busy, then undergoing a contrast therapy session will have a hard time and can actually make you sick from the overload of the already busy systems.
When you book in at Element Outdoor Sauna, this information on preparing for a session is sent to you in a confirmation email at the time of booking. I care a great deal about what you are about to undergo, and I want you to receive the awesome benefits from the session.
HELPFUL TIPS BEFORE CONTRAST THERAPY:
I’d LOVE to LEARN MORE in PERSON:
TIP#1: DO NOT eat food within two hours minimally, prior to contrast therapy.
REASON: Here at Element - You will be executing the protocol I have set, to ensure you have the best experience and delights of what you should be feeling: vasodilation (SAUNA) + vasoconstriction (ICE BATH) = Parasympathetic nervous system activation = rest and digest. And, your “energy stores” in your liver cannot remove glycogen - which is a crucial point to receiving the benefits contrast therapy provides. (there are tons more processes your body undertakes, but I would need many more blog posts to share). For now, DO NOT eat within 2 hours pre-session to receive the maximum benefits you seek… especially if you seek nervous system reset, and calmness. And do not consume sugar, alcohol or caffeine within 2 hours after your session.
TIP#2: HYDRATION.
REASON: This one should be obvious. BUT, it is crucial to provide a few details about how to hydrate and what this means. I see it all too often and I’d like to help you understand. If you start a session dehydrated - in a deficit - your body will not perform or function properly., and can cause more problems with some organs. You are asking a lot of your body during a session, which means you need to support the body. Your kidneys do most of the work in the sauna, for instance, and your liver does quite a bit for you in the icy water. But your entire being, including your brain, needs proper hydration* Meaning: salty water. Electrolytes - not gatorade, not sugary drinks, but clean electrolytes or salty water * Your body will dehydrate more with water alone - water requires a binder - salt is perfect.
MORE WATER you consume without a binder = dehydration = you keep consuming more which means you urinate more and dehydrate more. NOTE: look at your urine - it should be yellow all day long - light yellow - not dark yellow. If it is too clear, or way dark, both are telling you about your state of hydration.
TIP#3: SHOWERING/ WASHING
REASON: This is mandatory here at Element Outdoor Sauna. Hygiene but also thermal preparation - Washing the day off of you helps to prepare you mentally. Washing away the dirt we carry, but also our natural oils we produce. There are the artificial chemical loads we add like lotions, oils, scents and sunblock. Starting off clean and washed prepares us mentally and physically for the beautiful challenge we are about to undertake. Our body relaxes and the pores, the thermal barrier, the interaction between body and temperature can be fully utilized.
Depending on the space you practice or be that of your own home set up, practice intentionally and mindfully. Be sure to set up for your session well, and be sure to cover your head with your sauna hat or dry towel.
TIP#4: NO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
REASON: Alcohol in general should be used minimally at the best of times. But you are asking for incredible amounts of issues when mixing in this substance while your body is in vasoconstriction and vasodilation. This should be common sense but I have had this question asked several times. HERE IS THE BLOG ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC TIP.
Enjoy your thermal experience and contrast therapy session with salty clean water, and healthy air in your lungs… let your body take you on a beautiful natural journey to reach that magical space of Thermogenesis that lasts for hours.
Denise Tompkins
Certified Thermalist® + Owner Element Outdoor Sauna
