Fight. Flight. Freeze.
You’re probably already familiar – maybe a little too familiar – with those words.
In today’s busy world, you face endless stressors from the moment you wake up to the moment you fall asleep. And you might be thinking “yes, but that’s just my life.”
But over time, all this stress keeps you in a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze. And while this is becoming the norm in the modern world, it’s hard on your body, mind, and health.
To help your body de-stress and recover from the demands of life, it’s important to practice self-care techniques regularly. And maybe right now, self-care is the last thing on your mind. But a little really goes a long way for your long-term health and happiness.
One effective self-care technique that can help calm your body down and leave you feeling rejuvenated is contrast therapy.
What Is Contrast Therapy?
Contrast therapy is a trending term these days, but it’s anything but new. It’s actually a long-standing tradition that our ancestors practiced.
Contrast therapy – or thermal cycling – is the practice of introducing your body to different extremes in temperature. This causes changes in your circulation and your nervous system.
And by harnessing the healing power of these hot and cold temperatures, the body is better able to adapt and restore – and be fully confident in navigating the daily stressors of life.
While contrast therapy is most often used by athletes as a recovery method, it’s a self-care technique available to anyone who wants to reap its benefits. If you practice it regularly, you’ll notice a welcome improvement in your health and overall well-being.
Contrast Therapy: A Delicate Dance Between Hot And Cold
At Jolie Vie Wellness Retreat, our thermal cycling process is inspired by Nordic tradition. The people in this culture used this same process to not only reset their bodies, but also to slow down and reconnect with the natural world.
They understood the benefits of using hot and cold temperatures as a ritual to help them restore their health and be able to adapt to the many challenges of their world.
We like to follow the wisdom of this tradition, and have designed our facility to be an authentic natural retreat, away from the hustle and bustle of today’s stressors.
So when you embark on a contrast therapy session at Jolie Vie, the beautiful landscape and serene environment make it easy for you to immerse yourself in the Nordic thermal cycle.
What Are The Top Benefits Of Contrast Therapy?
As you begin your thermal cycle practice, you’ll likely notice positive changes in your body. This is because it has widespread benefits for your health, including:
● Reduced fatigue
● Lower inflammation
● Less muscle soreness¹
● Improved immune function
And these changes aren’t just limited to your physical body. You’ll also notice a difference in your mental and emotional state, as well. Some benefits you may notice are:
● Better sleep
● Clearer mind
● More energy
● Stress reduction²
● Improved mood
If you’re considering trying contrast therapy, we recommend you don’t make it an isolated experience. Here at Jolie Vie Wellness Retreat, we approach it as a lifestyle, rather than a one time thing. So when you take your next cold plunge in our Nordic pool, remember that it’s another important step in your wellness journey.
How To Do Contrast Therapy
To properly do contrast therapy, it’s important to remember the correct order. This will ensure your body enjoys the most benefits during your experience – and that the results are long-lasting.
At Jolie Vie, you can expect three things during your thermal cycle session: a heating cycle, a cold cycle, and a relaxation period.
Heat
During a contrast therapy session at Jolie Vie, you’ll always begin your experience with heat first. This allows the body to activate and begin releasing toxins through sweating.
At our wellness retreat, you can expect a full sauna experience in either an infrared or Finnish sauna. This is a very peaceful part of the thermal cycling process, as you let your body unwind in a quiet, warm environment.
Cold
After your body is heated up in our relaxing sauna, prepare for the cold! This exhilarating step in the cycle will wake up your body and get your heart rate going.
And although the cold session can be a little intense at first, it only lasts about 30 seconds. So your cold water immersion is just a quick dip. And your body adapts over time as you hone your contrast therapy practice, so the cold water cycle gets easier the more you do it.
You’ll enjoy the invigorating cold cycle in our outdoor pool, or perhaps a shower – all with serene nature views. After the cold cycle, your body is left feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready for relaxation!
Relax
The final – and perhaps most enjoyable – step in our Nordic thermal cycle is to reheat your body naturally. This helps your body recover from the temperature extremes.
You’ll find your restored sense of balance in one of Jolie Vie’s quiet meditation rooms, relaxing hammocks, or our soothing warm mineral pool.
As you listen to your body, you can personalize your thermal cycle experience by repeating the hot, cold, and relaxation steps as needed.
And that’s it! Your first thermal cycle session is complete, and you’ll be able to confidently step out into the world with renewed energy and mind.
Doing Contrast Therapy At Jolie Vie Wellness Retreat
When embarking on any wellness journey, it’s important to find those spaces that you feel comfortable in. Where you can truly relax and let go – it’s here that your body can begin to heal.
And for thermal cycling in particular, you’ll want to find a place that’s not only restful and restorative – it’s also best to find somewhere that follows the appropriate guidelines for contrast therapy.
At Jolie Vie Wellness Retreat, we’re excited to offer you an experience like no other. Nestled in the woods near the quiet town of Grand Falls, New Brunswick, our wellness retreat is designed to allow you to completely unwind and let go. You get all the benefits of Nordic thermal cycling – while enjoying breathtaking nature views.
And rest assured that we maintain high standards for our contrast therapy – including a robust Thermalist training that our owner is certified in. So you never have to worry about safety as you undergo your healing experience.
Besides our Nordic thermal cycle, you can expect a wide array of wellness services when you visit Jolie Vie. So throughout your thermal experience, you can enjoy a soothing neuro massage or Bowen therapy from one of our skilled holistic body practitioners. Or perhaps join in a restorative wellness activity to end your session with a clear mind and renewed energy.
So take a break from the stressors of life and book the perfect self-care day at our wellness retreat to refresh and restore your body and mind. We can’t wait to see you!
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