COLUMN

Is 15 degrees the ideal temperature for a sauna cold plunge?

2025.06.27

What is the Optimal Temperature for a Cold Bath After Sauna?

One of the essential elements when enjoying a sauna is the cold bath. After thoroughly warming your body in the sauna, cooling down in a cold bath allows you to experience a pleasant sense of refreshment. However, to maximize this effect, the temperature setting of the cold bath is crucial. Many experts recommend 15-16°C as ideal. This temperature range maintains a perfect balance between coldness and comfort, allowing many people to feel deep relaxation.

Additionally, the optimal temperature of the cold bath can vary depending on individual health and environmental conditions, so finding a temperature that suits you is important. For example, after coming out of a high-temperature sauna (above 90°C), a slightly lower temperature of 12-14°C is considered pleasant, while in a mist sauna, around 18°C can provide sufficient refreshment. Adjust according to the season and your condition of the day to pursue the best “tuning” experience.

Exploring the Ideal Temperature for a Cold Bath After Sauna

To fully enjoy the sauna experience, the appropriate temperature of the cold bath is key. The recommended temperature for cold baths in many sauna facilities is generally between 14-18°C. Within this range, a balance between coldness and comfort is achieved, allowing many people to relax.

What is the Optimal Temperature for a Cold Bath?

14-16°C is particularly effective after using a high-temperature sauna (above 90°C). This temperature range cools the body rapidly without feeling dangerous. You can fully enjoy the blood circulation-promoting effects and mental and physical refreshment effects of the cold bath. However, some people may feel sufficiently refreshed even at 16-18°C.

Choosing Temperature Based on Season and Individual Differences

The optimal temperature for a cold bath also changes with the seasons. In summer, a slightly lower temperature of 12-14°C can feel refreshing, while in winter, around 18°C might feel sufficient. Additionally, for newcomers or those sensitive to cold, starting from around 18-20°C is recommended. This reduces the burden on the body and leads to a safe and comfortable sauna experience.

What is a “Single” Cold Bath?

There are also extremely cold baths called “single,” which are below 10°C. This extreme cold experience is popular among some enthusiastic sauna-goers, but it can be tough for those unfamiliar. It is not recommended for beginners or those with heart conditions.

Safe and Effective Ways to Enter a Cold Bath

Entering a cold bath correctly can further enhance its effects. First, it is important to heat up in the sauna room for about 15 minutes and sweat thoroughly. After that, it is recommended to start with 1 minute in the cold bath and gradually extend the time.

Also, be sure to take breaks during this process. This is important along with hydration to prevent sudden accidents due to blood pressure fluctuations. Taking a break in the relaxation area for about 10 minutes ensures a safe and healthy cycle.

Conclusion: Find Your Own Optimal Temperature

Ultimately, setting the optimal temperature for a cold bath according to your physical condition and preferences is necessary. During your first visit, start from a higher temperature without overdoing it and gradually adjust. Since it also depends on your condition each day, consulting with yourself to enjoy in the best condition is what truly means to “tune” yourself.

What is the Optimal Temperature for a Sauna Cold Bath?

Generally, around 15°C is considered ideal. This temperature is effective for promoting blood circulation, adjusting the autonomic nervous system, and tightening the skin. However, many bathing facilities set it at 17-18°C, as this activates the cold sensation sensors in the body.

What About Cold Baths Called “Single” with Single-Digit Temperatures?

“Single” refers to cold baths below 10°C. The coldness provides a stimulus that instantly tightens the body and gives a sense of mental clarity, which is supported by many sauna enthusiasts. However, beginners might need some getting used to it.

Recommended Duration for Using a Cold Bath After Sauna?

It is recommended to soak for about 1 to a few minutes. Soaking for too long can put a significant burden on the heart, so caution is needed.

What is Heat Shock? How Can You Avoid Its Risks?

Heat shock refers to the burden on the body caused by sudden temperature changes. To avoid this, it is important to gradually lower your body temperature and take sufficient breaks after the cold bath.

Is Around 15°C Recommended for Everyone?

There are individual differences, so it cannot be generalized.

The appropriate temperature varies depending on one’s health and constitution, so find a temperature setting that feels comfortable for you. Also, elderly people and those with chronic illnesses need to be particularly careful, and consulting with a doctor is recommended.

What is the “Tuning” Sensation? How Can You Experience It?

“Tuning” refers to achieving a state of relaxation and alignment both mentally and physically in the sauna. It is said that you can experience this sensation by repeating the appropriate sequence of sauna, cold bath, and rest.

If you want to know more about questions and answers or find your own optimal method, consider consulting an expert. Also, it is important to enjoy safely first and foremost.

Points for Enjoying a Cold Bath After Sauna at the Optimal Temperature

To maximize the refreshing feeling that comes after a sauna, the temperature setting of the cold bath is important. 14-16°C is the ideal temperature range recommended by many experts, balancing coldness and comfort, allowing you to feel refreshed both mentally and physically. This temperature range is particularly effective after coming out of a high-temperature sauna (above 90°C). On the other hand, after coming out of a mist sauna, around 18°C can provide sufficient refreshment.

Since the optimal temperature varies depending on individual health and environment, finding a temperature that suits you is important. For example, in summer, 12-14°C can feel refreshing, but in winter, around 18°C might feel comfortable. Additionally, for beginners or those sensitive to cold, starting from around 18-20°C is recommended, leading to a safe and comfortable experience.

There are also cold baths called “single” below 10°C, but this extreme cold experience is for experienced users, and caution is needed for those unfamiliar. To enjoy safely and effectively, heat up in the sauna room for about 15 minutes, start with 1 minute in the cold bath, gradually extend the time, and be sure to take breaks. By following these, you can pursue a safe and healthy “tuning” experience.

Ultimately, finding the best cold bath experience according to your physical condition and preferences is the key to truly “tuning” yourself.