Sauna & Romance ❤️‍🔥

As Valentine's Day approaches, we want to take the opportunity to share the many incredible ways that sauna can benefit the health of your relationship, whether you are a seasoned couple, new partners, or deep in the throes of parenting together. No matter what phase of romance you are in, there is always a reason to take time to strengthen or reignite the spark that keeps you close.

Deepened connection

A private wood-fired sauna, especially one outdoors, is nothing short of a love pod. The intimate, distraction-free environment combined with enhanced relaxation and mental clarity is proven to inspire and facilitate deepened connection.

Connect through intimate conversation and reflection on your successes and joys, enjoy the tranquility and transcendence of shared silence, or even take advantage of the safety and calm feelings as an opportunity to discuss life’s challenges with clear minds and opened hearts.

oxytocin release

When used intentionally and thoughtfully, the controlled physiological stress that comes from both sauna and cold plunge can inspire our bodies to release oxytocin, our “bonding hormone."

When these oxytocin-inspiring experiences are shared with others, the hormone helps to strengthen feelings of trust, empathy, and connection. When shared with a partner, especially one with whom we experience much of life's challenge and stress, the hormone can help to reignite and strengthen the bonds that create lasting relationships. Trust leads to grace & assumption of best intent, empathy leads to understanding and grace, and emotional connection leads you to (or returns you to) a shared focus and commitment.

Reducing stress

The great Elle Woods once said, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. And happy people just don't shoot their husbands."

Oxytocin is not the only hormone impacted by sauna & plunge experiences. Both have a plethora of evidence that demonstrates an increase in endorphins, our “feel good” hormones, as well as reducing cortisol, our stress hormone, when utilized intentionally. The combination of increased endorphins and lowered cortisol helps to reduce mental and physical stress, improve circulation, promote muscle and mind relaxation, and enhance positive feelings.

Sharing in this experience of enhanced mood and lowered physiological stress with a partner, especially one with whom you share most of life’s challenges, can help rebuild or strengthen feelings of partnership and trust.

Sparking Desire

Sauna & cold plunge, whether experienced separately or together, have a plethora of benefits that enhance connection and spark intimacy between partners.

Intimate conversation (or shared silence), a rush of oxytocin, reduced mental and physical stress, deepened relaxation, improved circulation, and the unique “sauna glow” from a deep sweat and ultra-relaxed muscles are unique in their ability to create a spark & strengthen feelings of emotional connection, physical closeness, and romantic desire.

pro-tips...

1. Consider taking a few moments for back to back, hand in hand, or simple shared meditation to begin relaxing and connecting before entering the sauna. Consider a Couples Gratitude Guided Meditation or a Couples Connection Meditation to set the mood and help deepen your relaxation and connection in the sauna.

2. Consider adding in some gentle massage while in the sauna. Since the mind and muscles are already in a relaxed state, and circulation is improved, it is a perfect opportunity to boost muscular recovery or just create intimate connection with gentle, mindful touch. Be sure to avoid oils and creams that may block pores and impact your body's ability to detoxify.