Looking to optimize your wellness routine and enhance your performance in all aspects of your life? Want to improve your mood, better your sleep, and reduce inflammation? Here’s the secret: hot-cold therapy. It’s simple, it’s easy, and it’s effective. This guide will share with you how to do hot and cold therapy at home.
On their own, cold therapy and hot therapy are great for recovery. But to achieve the optimal benefits, you’ll want to try doing both together to experience the benefits of hot and cold therapy. I’ve been doing hot and cold contrast therapy for the past 3 years, and it’s been an absolute game changer. Celebrity cold plungers also swear by this practice, helping them get to the top of their game. You can do the same!
Are you ready to take your wellness and recovery to the next level? Here’s everything you need to know about hot-cold therapy and how it benefits the mind and body.
Table of Contents
What is hot and cold therapy?
If you have been doing research on your road to maximizing your recovery and overall wellness, you know that there are many benefits to ice baths and infrared saunas. But what happens when you combine the two? Hot-cold therapy, also called contrast therapy, is the process of alternating between hot and cold therapies to maximize your recovery benefits.
Hot and cold to benefit the human body is hardly a new invention. Even ancient civilizations recognized the advantages of this type of therapy. For example, Egyptians used cold temperatures to treat inflammation and injuries as early as 2500 BCE. And ancient Greeks used water of various temperatures to ease muscle fatigue and treat ailments.
Other names for this process include the “Nordic Cycle,” the “Viking Bath,” and hydrotherapy, to name a few. No matter what you call it, the gist remains the same: it is a restorative transition from one extreme temperature to another.
For some, hot-cold therapy is a test of fortitude, a challenge to overcome for both the mind and body. In addition to the many physical benefits we’ll touch on later, it is also worth noting that this challenge – remaining in temperatures too hot or too cold – gives the same euphoria as increasing your training max for deadlifts or finishing the Boston Marathon for the first time.
In other words? Hot-cold therapy can be life-changing. So let’s take a deeper dive into the process.
- Want to level up your wellness game? Here’s my favorite cold plunge that I’ve used for the past 1.5 years: The Edge Tub by Edge Theory Labs
Contrast therapy: the process
Hot-cold therapy, also known as contrast therapy, involves alternating between hot and cold treatments to promote recovery and wellness. Historically, Nordic cultures practiced this by heating their bodies in saunas and then plunging into icy lakes or snow, repeating the process multiple times.
Modern contrast therapy can be simple, like the traditional Nordic Cycle, or more sophisticated with cold plunge tubs and infrared light therapy and saunas. Your choice depends on your lifestyle, wellness goals, and budget.
The therapy process varies for each person, as individual recovery needs differ. Common methods include alternating between hot and cold showers or following a sauna session with cold water immersion. For targeted recovery, you can use ice and hot packs on specific body parts.
Duration and sequence can also vary. Typically, for injuries, start with ice to reduce swelling, then apply heat to enhance blood flow and provide relief. Some prefer the cold-hot-cold sequence, always starting and ending with ice.
Ultimately, it’s about finding what works best for you. Experiment with different routines to create a personalized hot-cold therapy practice that suits your needs.
Hot-cold therapy interval examples
As mentioned, everyone is different, and your preferred intervals for alternating between hot and cold may vary from your best friend, spouse, or training partner. Generally, the hot intervals typically last anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes, while the cold intervals run about 60 seconds.
However, long-time cold plungers may find it more therapeutic to plunge longer than a minute. At the end of the day, it’s important to do what feels the most restorative to you.
The other important factor is temperature. On the hot end, aim for around 104°F (40°C). You want to be hot, but you don’t want to burn yourself. As far as the cold intervals, you want to go as cold as possible. Most cold water therapy occurs in cold water below 58°F (14°C).
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to start hot-cold therapy, here are some examples of popular contrast therapy cycles.
A contemporary Nordic Cycle
Here is an example of a contemporary Nordic ritual to inspire your own transformative journey to relaxation.
Step one: heat exposure
The first step to a contemporary hot-cold therapy ritual inspired by traditional Nordic practices is exposure to a heat source. This can be from a sauna, hot tub, or steam room. You will want to stay here for 10-20 minutes, depending on your tolerance.
While in this first stage, your body stores heat, and as you sweat, your body releases toxins.
Step two: cold water immersion
Immediately after step one, expose your body to your source of cold water immersion. You can use a cold plunge tub, a cold shower, or even a cold lake if seasonally appropriate. Remain immersed in the water for at minimum 10 seconds, but ideally, you would like to stay in longer, up to several minutes.
To experience the full benefits of cold water immersion therapy, it’s important to submerge your body in the water for as long as you can. The drastic change in temperature releases adrenaline.
Step three: rest
It is important to rest at the end of your hot-cold therapy cycle. You should remain near your hot and cold sources because you will repeat the cycle after your heart rate settles.
Wait 10-15 minutes before you repeat the cycle, and complete the circuit 2-3 times.
Simple hot-cold interval
One of the most basic intervals for hot-cold therapy is the simple interval. For 10 minutes, alternate between one minute in heat and one minute in the cold. This is a great way to build up your tolerance to hot and cold temperatures if you are just starting.
This is what the session will look like:
- 1 minute hot
- 1 minute cold
- 1 minute hot
- 1 minute cold
- 1 minute hot
- 1 minute cold
- 1 minute hot
- 1 minute cold
- 1 minute hot
- 1 minute cold
12-minute hold-cold interval
For longer intervals, one of the most popular methods for hot and cold therapy is to alternate between three minutes hot and one minute cold.
This is what the session will look like:
- 3 minutes hot
- 1 minute cold
- 3 minutes hot
- 1 minute cold
- 3 minutes hot
- 1 minute cold
What are the benefits of hot-cold therapy?
There are many benefits of hot and cold therapy, or the Nordic Cycle, which is why this technique is becoming increasingly popular among famous athletes, trainers, and celebrities.
Here are some of the combined benefits of hot-cold therapy.
Hot-cold therapy increases blood flow
For many people, a cold water plunge after spending time in a sauna, hot tub, or steam room can improve blood flow. Alternating between two extreme temperatures will constrict and dilate your blood vessels, helping to increase blood flow. This helps give athletes higher performance and improves vascular and cardiac response.
Hot-cold therapy reduces swelling and inflammation
Individuals with swelling/inflammation often find relief from the hot and cold plunging technique. When you elevate your circulation within your cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, you can reduce swelling. Increased circulation can also help reduce chronic inflammation by washing out chronic inflammatory cells and promoting improved healing of damaged tissue.
Hot-cold therapy improves immune function
When you put your body through the hot and cold therapy cycle, it triggers the lymphatic system to circulate healing fluids. This process flushes the body of waste and has a detoxifying effect. Improved circulation and oxygenation give the immune system a healthy boost, improving your body’s overall wellness.
Hot-cold therapy can boost your mood
The experience of going from hot to cold elevates your heart rate, pumps your body with adrenaline, and releases endorphins. This process has been shown to not only ease your pain but also lighten your mood. This is important for anyone dealing with chronic pain or recovering from surgery because it can reduce dependency on pain medication and prevent depression.
Other benefits of contrast therapy include
- Weight loss
- Improves sleep
- Skin rejuvenation
- Lower chance of scar tissue
Hormetic stress: what is hormesis?
Hormesis is a concept where small doses of stressors can be beneficial, while large doses can be harmful. These stressors include vitamins, dietary restrictions, challenging exercises, and extreme temperatures.
Hormetic stress, like that from hot and cold therapy, can positively impact your health. For example, cold plunging is a beneficial form of hormetic stress.
Short bursts of hormetic stress have been shown to provide physical, mental, and emotional benefits. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a well-known example, but temperature therapy (both hot and cold) is gaining popularity, partly due to advocates like Wim Hof (AKA the Ice Man!).
Benefits of hormetic stress include improved mood, focus, immune function, stress resilience, and weight loss. It may also prevent premature aging by positively affecting mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell.
Types of cold therapy
We’ve talked about the benefits of hot and cold therapy combined, but there are many benefits to cold exposure on its own. Cold therapy has a positive impact on the body’s immune, digestive, and circulatory systems. It also taps into the body’s natural healing powers, activating the nervous system and hormones, which can significantly change our physiology.
I have had a great experience since I started cold water immersion. Not only did it help me overcome “Long Covid,” but it also helped me overcome many fears and anxieties I had in life. While attending wellness retreats, I have also had the fortune to witness others spontaneously enter remission of their chronic health conditions.
Cold showers
Perfect for beginners, cold showers are the simplest and quickest way to immerse yourself in cold temperatures. They are also the easiest to add to a routine because you’ll take a shower anyway. While they are not typically as cold as other forms of cold exposure, they can be just as challenging.
Outdoor swims in nature
If you are looking for a natural approach to wellness, you can achieve cold exposure by swimming in rivers, lakes, and the ocean. This is a great solution for those who live in cold climates during the winter months and want a deeper experience than a cold shower can provide.
Cryotherapy
This cold therapy is relatively new and requires you to go to a special gym, spa, or wellness center. Whole-body cryotherapy entails entering a chamber with liquid nitrogen, nitrous oxide, or argon gas at extremely cold temperatures (typically around -200°F or -129°C). Just a few minutes is all it takes to retain the optimal health benefits.
Cold plunge pools
These are also typically found at gyms, wellness spas, and retreats. Many are like a larger ice bath kept at a constant temperature with a water filtration system that moves around the water, making it feel colder.
Ice baths
For the most popular form of cold exposure right now, ice baths are it. To achieve the health benefits, you sit in an icy water container for a short period. The typical temperature range for an ice bath is between 35°F and 60°F (2°C and 16°C). Ice baths can range from filling your bathtub or a container with ice to specialized tubs with built-in temperature controls and filtration systems. If you’re not willing to make a big upfront investment, here are the top 3 cheap cold tubs I recommend.
The best cold tubs
Because I so thoroughly believe in the power of cold exposure, I’ve been testing and reviewing some of the most popular cold water immersion tubs on the market. My goal is to remove the guesswork and barriers when it comes to you finding the right cold tub for your lifestyle and needs.
Here are some of the best cold tubs I’ve found:
- Best cold tub overall: The Edge Tub
- Best budget ice bath: Ice Barrel
- Best cold tub for outdoors: Polar Monkey
- Most durable cold tub: Cold Plunge
- Most luxurious ice bath: Renu Therapy Cold Stoic
- Cheapest cold tub: G Ganen Foldable Ice Bathtub
Types of hot therapy
Just like with cold therapy, there are many benefits to heat therapy. One of the most common benefits is the positive impact it has on chronic pain. Warmer temperatures aid in muscle relaxation, alleviating pain and stiffness in sore muscles and joints.
There are many different types of heat therapy you can try. Chances are some will work better for you than others, so it’s important to test out various options to find your favorite. Wellness revolves around finding out what works best for you and your body.
Generally speaking, heat therapy can be broken down into two main types: dry heat and moist heat. Here are some examples of both types.
Dry heat therapy modalities
Dry heat, or conducted heat therapy, includes sources like heating pads, dry heating packs, and saunas. This type of heat is easy to apply and, with the exception of saunas, is primarily used to treat isolated pain rather than overall body wellness.
Moist heat modalities
Moist heat or convection heat includes more “wet” sources of heat. These include hot tubs, baths/showers, steam rooms, steamed towels, and moist heating packs. Moist heat therapy may be slightly more effective compared to dry heat therapy. It often encourages more overall feelings of relaxation that can help lessen pain.
How to do hot-cold therapy at home
With so many benefits to hot and cold therapy, you’re probably ready to jump right in and test out these benefits for yourself! But where do you start?
You don’t need an at-home cold tub and sauna to use contrast therapy. While I personally believe they’re an excellent investment for someone who wants to do this weekly, I know not everyone has the space or budget right now, and that’s ok. You don’t need to make a big investment if you’re just dipping your toes into hot and cold therapy, so to speak.
To start experiencing the benefits of full-body hot-cold therapy, you only need a shower.
How to take a contrast shower
A contrast shower gives you the same therapeutic contrasting benefits discussed in this article but doesn’t rely on a sauna, hot tub, or steam room. In fact, you will find this method is very similar to the modern Nordic Cycle and is highly adaptable.
Here’s what you need to take a contrast shower at home:
1. Shower in hot water for 3-5 minutes. The water should be as hot as you can tolerate without burning you.
2. Turn the water to cold and stand under the water for one minute. The water should be as cold as you can handle (possibly as cold as it will go).
3. Repeat 3-5 times, always ending on cold.
While you can control the water temperature to what works best for you, ensure there is a large enough difference in temperature. Otherwise, you will not be able to reap the many therapeutic contrasting benefits of the shower experience.
You can also adapt the time intervals to suit your preferences, just always make sure the duration of your hot therapy is longer than the cold water.
My hot cold therapy protocol
Here’s my hot cold therapy protocol in 2024 that I often use to enhance my recovery and overall wellness:
1. Preparation
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water before beginning your session to ensure body is well-hydrated.
- Supplies needed: You’ll need a source of heat (sauna, hot tub, or hot shower) and a source of cold (cold plunge tub, ice bath, or cold shower). Ensure you have a towel and comfortable clothing for after your session.
2. Initial heat exposure
- Duration: 10-20 minutes
- Method: Use a sauna, hot tub, steam room, or take a hot shower. The goal is to raise your body temperature and induce sweating, which helps to release toxins and relax muscles.
- Temperature: Aim for over 160°F (71°C) in a sauna or around 104°F (40°C) for a hot tub. For showers, use the hottest temperature you can comfortably tolerate without burning yourself.
3. Immediate cold immersion
- Duration: 1-5 minutes
- Method: Immediately transition to your cold source. This can be a cold plunge tub, ice bath, or cold shower. The sudden change in temperature will constrict blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and release adrenaline.
- Temperature: Cold water should be below 58°F (14°C). For showers, use the coldest setting available.
4. Rest and recovery
- Duration: 10-15 minutes
- Method: Allow your body to rest and acclimate after the cold immersion. Stay near your heat and cold sources as you will repeat the cycle. Use this time to hydrate and relax.
5. Repeat the Cycle
- Frequency: 2-3 cycles per session
- Method: After resting, repeat the heat exposure and cold immersion process. The number of cycles can be adjusted based on your comfort and experience level.
6. Cool Down and Final Rest
- Duration: 10-15 minutes
- Method: After completing your cycles, spend some time in a neutral environment to allow your body to fully recover and return to its normal state. This can involve gentle stretching or simply relaxing in a comfortable setting. NOTE: I only do this hot cold protocol 1-2 times per week.
How to integrate contrast therapy into your daily routine
Integrating contrast therapy into your daily routine will be a game-changer for your overall wellness. Here’s how to make it part of your everyday life without too much hassle.
1. Morning boost with contrast showers
Start your day with a burst of energy by incorporating contrast showers into your morning routine. Begin with three minutes of hot water, followed by one minute of cold water. Repeat this cycle three times, always ending on cold. This will wake you up, improve circulation, and set a positive tone for the day ahead.
2. Post-workout recovery
After your workout, contrast therapy can accelerate muscle recovery and reduce soreness. If you have access to a sauna and a cold plunge tub, spend 10 minutes in the sauna, followed by a two-minute cold plunge. Repeat this cycle twice. No sauna? No problem. Alternate between hot and cold showers at home for similar benefits.
3. Evening relaxation
End your day with a relaxing contrast therapy session to improve sleep and reduce stress. Start with a hot bath or shower for 10 minutes, then switch to cold for one minute. This helps calm your mind and prepares your body for a restful night’s sleep. Repeat this process a couple of times for maximum effect.
4. Targeted relief for sore muscles
For localized muscle pain or soreness, use hot and cold packs. Apply a hot pack to the affected area for 15 minutes to relax muscles and increase blood flow. Follow with an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce inflammation and numb the pain. This combination is perfect for post-workout recovery or any time you need targeted relief.
5. Quick midday refresh
If you’re feeling sluggish or stressed in the middle of the day, a quick contrast shower can be revitalizing. Even a simple switch between hot and cold water for a few minutes can boost your mood and energy levels. It’s an easy way to reset and power through the rest of your day.
Tips for success:
- Consistency is key: Make contrast therapy a regular part of your routine to reap the most benefits.
- Listen to your body: Adjust the temperature and duration based on what feels best for you.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and after your sessions to help your body recover.
Frequently asked questions about hot-cold therapy
Here are some popular questions (and answers) about hot-cold therapy, ice baths, and saunas.
Is it healthy to go from sauna to cold water?
It is safe and healthy for most individuals to expose their bodies to heat and cold shock, like going from a sauna to cold water. However, it is important to respect your body’s limits. If you are new to contrast therapy, it is important to take it slow at first while your body adapts and you find what works for you.
If you have any pre-existing health concerns, you should always speak to your healthcare professional before trying hot-cold therapy. Because the process intentionally puts stress on your body, it’s important to ensure you can physically handle it. Anyone with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory disease should opt for milder temperatures and avoid exposure to extreme temperatures altogether.
Should you do hot therapy or cold plunge first?
Contrast therapy involves alternating between high temperatures and cold water, most often in a sauna or hot tub followed by an ice bath. Most hot and cold water therapy rituals start with heat followed by cold because it’s safer and more beneficial.
Some hot-cold therapy methods will start with cold, go to heat, and then end with cold. Regardless of your chosen order, it is important to always end on cold. You should also always ensure your time in the heat is longer than your exposure to cold.
How long should you stay in a cold plunge and a sauna?
While many hot-cold therapy routines recommend staying in a sauna, hot tub, or steam room for 10-20 minutes followed by 1-5 minutes in a cold plunge, these are not hard and fast numbers. You can do smaller increments, such as 3 minutes hot and 1 minute cold. If you’re just starting out, you may want to do even smaller increments as you find what works best for you.
Don’t think that you have to spend all day performing contrast therapy to reap its therapeutic benefits. You want to start the process by building up a routine. You should not exceed these recommended time frames, however, because it can be detrimental to your health.
What are the benefits of hot-cold therapy?
There are many benefits to hot-cold therapy, also known as contrast therapy. Here are some of the physical and mental benefits of hot and cold exposure:
- Increases blood circulation
- Boosts the immune system
- Accelerates healing
- Fires up the lymphatic system
- Reduces swelling and inflammation
- Relieves muscle soreness
- Speeds up recovery
- Rejuvenates the skin
- Improves mood
- Increases pain tolerance
- Better sleep quality
- Increased weight loss
- Reduces premature aging
- Hormesis
- Lower chance of scar tissue
- Promotes feelings of peace, calm, and introspection
How often can you do hot-cold therapy?
Like with cold plunging and enjoying hot baths, you can perform contrast therapy daily if you’d like. Some evidence suggests that frequent use promotes greater long-term benefits. You don’t have to do it every day, of course, but several times per week is better than every once in a while.
For more information on ice baths and improving your wellness, bookmark these posts:
– Edge Tub Product Review (2024 Updated)
– 25 Benefits of Doing Cold Immersion
– Wim Hof Ice Bath Technique: Tips + Method
– Top Advantages of Taking Ice Baths
– Why You Should Take Cold Showers
– Guide to Cold Water Swimming
– Coolest Retreat Centers in the World
– Why Sound Healing is Good For You
– Scientific Benefits of Grounding Barefoot
