Minnesota
An exciting new book by Danish author Susanna Søberg takes an invigorating dive into the latest research on heat therapy and cold exposure.
The conclusions are fascinating with practical implications like optimal sauna and ice bath duration and routine, the best protocol for metabolic response, and more.
Søberg has been at the forefront of understanding and explaining what is happening at a molecular level when humans do what they’ve always done: regularly expose themselves to temperature extremes on purpose.
Much like meditation and fasting, it’s another example crazy things humans have done for centuries before the science catches up.
Check out Winter Swimming by Susanna Soberg here.
Winter Swimming Book Review
Susanna Sobergs first book, ‘Winter Swimming: The Nordic Way Towards a Healthier and Happier Life’ has been released in several languages.
While full of research, and backed by science, this book is really written to introduce laypeople to the practical benefits of winter swimming.
We think of ‘Winter Swimming’ as the manual for starting a winter swimming or cold plunge practice. Soberg thoughtfully explores the best ways to get over the mental hurdles and ease the transition to a durable practice.
But at the end of the day, the first few cold swims are going to be painful, but so is exercise if you haven’t been practicing. Winter swimming is a gateway to conquering other challenges in your life, and improving your overall health.
Check out Winter Swimming by Susanna Soberg here.
Why End in the Cold?
While it may not be what you want to hear, the clear conclusions from scientific research is that it’s optimal to end sauna routines in the cold, letting your body do the heavy lifting to warm your body after the final cold plunge.
The reason for this was coined the Soeberg Principle by Dr. Andrew Huberman, a Stanford Neuroscience Professor.
The Soeberg Principle: When using deliberate cold exposure to increase your metabolism, minimize hot showers & sauna after the last cold exposure. Forcing your body to re-warm on its own is a major component of the metabolism & brown fat (healthy, thermogenic fat) stimulation.
Dr. Andrew Huberman
An important note about how long to stay in the sauna, is to follow your body and take it easy at first. As Soeberg says, “Stay until you are uncomfortable, but safe to build up resilience.”
We look forward to this book being released in the US in the summer of 2022, and learning more about the science behind a great sauna practice.
When something sounds crazy but has been practiced for thousands of years, it’s usually just a matter of time before the science catches up.