WISDOM FROM THE MISTS

At Mist Thermal Sanctuary on Bowen Island, guests often ask us: Is cold plunging good for women? Studies indicate yes, though with a few considerations. For many, cold immersion brings an immediate lift: brighter mood, reduced inflammation, and a sense of reset. But for women who are pregnant, experiencing worsened cramps, have a heart condition, or are in perimenopause, the benefits (and potential drawbacks) merit a closer look.

As the autumn season begins to arrive in September on Bowen Island, where the Salish Sea shimmers under a softer sun, the island becomes a threshold between city and country, air and water, flora and fauna. Just a 20-minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay, Bowen is the perfect place to chase island charm or sneak in a little wellness for a 2-night stay or day trip from Vancouver. Here’s how to enjoy the best of Bowen Island (our own Bowen top picks) with purpose and wonder before the colder months set in.

Are saunas actually healthy?

Yes, for many (including women), regular sauna use can improve cardiovascular function, reduce stress, and support musculoskeletal recovery. In one Finnish study, consistent sauna bathing was linked to reduced risk of heart disease and dementia source. The benefits extend beyond physical health: the act of slowing down, being quiet, and simply sitting with yourself is a valuable kind of emotional and spiritual wellness, too.

Do saunas burn fat?

An article put out by the Mayo Clinic shares that while a sauna isn’t a fat-loss tool, it can support weight management indirectly. By increasing circulation, reducing cortisol, and improving sleep through relaxation, sauna use can help regulate the metabolic patterns that affect body composition, especially as women age. In this way, time spent in a sauna, especially regular exposure (such as through Mist’s Membership), helps rebalance one’s system.

Let’s explore two common questions about this the Nordic spa practice:

Is it healthy to go from sauna to cold plunge? The short answer is yes! When there are no pre-existing health concerns, and when done thoughtfully, contrast therapy is not only healthful but a time-tested wellness practice found in many cultures around the world. In various medical journals (such as this NIH Study on Contrast Bath Therapy), studies state Nordic spas and contrast therapy circuits can support...

Breathing with awareness in the sauna and cold plunge is not just a technique, it’s an extension of yoga and a form of remembering. A way to reconnect to the body’s wisdom, and to restore the connection between mind, body, and the elements.

Below are a few simple breath exercises to accompany you through your thermal circuit, offered not as prescriptions, but as gentle prompts. Each one is intended as an anchor for the inner movement that happens when the body meets hot and cold.

In studies, post-exercise sauna use can support muscle recovery, reduce soreness, and improve cardiovascular conditioning. Research show that sauna bathing helps reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by increasing circulation and helping clear metabolic waste from the body. For professional and recreational athletes alike, this means faster recovery and improved performance.

Not all these findings are as recent as we think. In this 2007 article, post-exercise sauna use and endurance performance found that sauna bathing after training significantly improved the running performance of competitive male athletes. sauna and cold plunge near me

Cold plunging has been gaining popularity in Vancouver, and across British Columbia, with many people searching for "cold plunge and sauna near me" to experience the emotional, spiritual, and physical health benefits of contrast therapy. Whether you're visiting a cold plunge in Vancouver or trying an ice bath before or after a workout, knowing what to do after emerging from the cold depths is essential to maximize the benefits and support a mind-body-spirit integration.

Modern scientific research supports these traditional practices. The concept of hormesis—where exposure to mild stressors strengthens the body's ability to withstand greater stress—explains how contrast therapy enhances circulation, promotes detoxification, and boosts immune function. Hormesis, a biological phenomenon, occurs when a low-dose exposure to a stressor, such as exposure to temperature extremes, induces adaptive benefits, leading to improved resilience and cellular health.

A new sanctuary of restoration has emerged in British Columbia’s wellness landscape. Mist Thermal Sanctuary, a refined thermal spa on Bowen Island, offers an unparalleled experience that merges ancient hydrotherapy traditions with contemporary design and sustainability. Just a 20 minute ferry ride from Vancouver, this cold plunge and sauna vancouver is within reach.

Healing waters abound in myths, folk tales, and fairy lore worldwide, making it especially fitting for the forests of Bowen Island, where rain often produces rising mists. Water takes the form of rivers, lakes and oceans, and also as wells, baths, and potions, where immersing oneself in the element or its vapours can offer cleansing, blessing, releasing and radiance. At Mist Thermal on Bowen, we are so excited to share this first blog post with you!