Try this unique Sauna and Cold Plunge in North Yorkshire
Looking for a dreamy way to spend the weekend? Picture this: you’re in the gorgeous North Yorkshire, celebrating your bestie’s birthday by the sea. The sun is shining, and you’re heading to a beachside sauna, and you spend an hour going from the gorgeous sauna to plunge into the North Sea and afterwards feel so full of life! This is exactly what I did, one early spring Saturday morning, and I think a sauna and cold plunge is the new way to kick off the weekend.
What is a sauna and cold plunge?
Sauna and cold plunges are all the rage at the moment. Also known as contrast therapy, the idea is you go between hot and cold – sauna for the heat and cold water for the plunge.
Something which is becoming increasingly common is pop-up saunas next to lakes and by the coast. Perfect as you can have the most picturesque dips in the world.
Alternate between 10 mins in the sauna, and then cool off in the cold water. As someone who’s a wild swimmer, it made a lovely change to warm up in the sauna!
What are the benefits of a sauna and cold plunge?
The health benefits of contrast therapy are what really drew me to trying this experience.
Builds Strength and Resilience
Ever heard of hormesis? Basically, it’s all about exposing yourself to small amounts of stress can make you stronger. This is exactly what happens when you switch between a hot sauna and an ice-cold plunge. Your body learns to adapt, boosting resilience over time.
Sauna sessions increase your body’s heat tolerance, while cold plunges trigger a response that improves circulation and recovery. Done regularly, this hot-cold contrast helps your body handle stress better – whether that’s after a tough workout or in daily life.
Helps You Relax and Destress
There’s a reason why saunas and cold plunges are so popular in Scandinavia – they’re incredible for relaxation. The heat from a sauna boosts circulation and lowers blood pressure, making you feel calm and relaxed.
Then comes the cold plunge. The initial shock triggers your body’s “fight or flight” response, but over time, regular exposure helps you handle stress more effectively. Once you step out, a rush of adrenaline and endorphins leaves you feeling refreshed and re-energised.
Reduces Inflammation
As a girlie with a lot of chronic inflammatory diseases, this was the biggest reason I was interested in the sauna and cold plunge. The combination of heat and cold helps flush out toxins, improve lymphatic drainage, and reduce oxidative stress – all of which contribute to lower inflammation levels.
Cold therapy is also great for numbing pain and reducing swelling, which is why athletes swear by ice baths for recovery. If you’ve got a muscle strain, applying cold first eases swelling and pain, while heat later on loosens stiffness and aids recovery.
All about Whitby Wellbeing – the sauna and cold plunge you need to try on the North Yorkshire Coast
Spending a Saturday morning with Whitby Wellbeing was the perfect way to start the weekend. They have pop-ups along the North Yorkshire Coast, and we headed to Saltburn-by-the-Sea for the experience.
Their sauna is right next to the sandy beach, and there’s a car park about a 3-minute walk from it. We started with the sauna, and did three rounds of sauna followed by three sea dips – and they felt incredible. The idea was to stay in for 10 minutes in the sauna, but you could leave at any time you wanted to cool off.
I can’t explain how incredible it feels while you do it. I was nervous about going into the 7-degree sea in just my swimming costume (i’m used to my wetsuit at this time of year!), but it was so refreshing to dip. Was it easy to dip to your shoulders? Absolutely not, but you felt so good afterwards.
The hour goes incredibly quickly, and the vibe is so calming and afterwards you really do feel relaxed.
What to expect, and what to bring with you
So here are some quick little tips for what to expect and how to prepare for your first sauna and cold dip;
- wear a swimming costume under your clothes, so it’s easy to get straight in
- If you have a changing robe, bring it with you! Makes it so much easier to get changed afterwards
- Bring a big water bottle with you – keep it outside of the sauna, and drink between sauna sessions
- Struggling with hydration? before and after use hydration sachets
- wear loose clothing to get changed in to – there’s nothing worse than trying to put leggings on when you’re slightly damp!
- Don’t feel like you have to stay in the sauna for a specific length of time. Aim for 10 minutes, but leave when you feel ready
- Remember to take off your jewellery
- Bring two towels with you – one to sit on in the sauna and one to use to dry yourself
- Eat before you go – there’s nothing worse than being hot and hungry!
I can’t recommend trying a sauna and cold plunge – it’s the perfect microadventure that has a whole host of benefits! Let me know if you try it out – I’d love to hear about your experience! If you’re looking for more microadventure inspo, click here, and find daily microadventure inspo and slow living guides over on my Instagram!
