Winter Wellness: Why Now is the Perfect Time for Infrared Sauna & Cold Plunge in Durham
- Julie Marciniak
- Nov 13
- 4 min read
As the days get shorter and the temps drop, we understand the struggle of falling into that winter slump—tight muscles, low energy, stiff joints, and a general feeling of "meh." While cozy blankets and hot drinks have their place, they don't do much to support your body on a deeper level. We're here to help you break free from this cycle.
That's where our Recovery Room at Bull City Soles comes in. With an infrared sauna and cold plunge, it's one of our favorite ways to reset the nervous system, boost energy, and help you move and feel better through the colder months. And if you haven't tried contrast therapy yet, winter is the perfect time to start.
The Struggle Is Real: Why Winter Drains Us
Winter can take a toll—physically, mentally, and emotionally:
Less sunlight can throw off your sleep and mood
Muscles and joints feel tighter, especially with more sitting and less movement
Circulation slows, making you feel cold and sluggish
Immune systems get hit hard, and stress tends to build up
That's why many of our clients feel more achy, tired, or just "off" this time of year.
The Infrared Sauna: Warm Up Your Muscles and Your Nervous System
Stepping into the infrared sauna on a cold day feels incredibly cozy. The warmth envelops you, and the benefits go way beyond comfort.
Unlike traditional saunas, infrared heat penetrates deeper into your muscles and tissues to:
Relieve soreness and tension
Improve circulation and flexibility
Reduce inflammation
Support your immune system
Even better? It helps shift your body into a parasympathetic state—the "rest and digest" mode your nervous system needs to truly relax and heal.
How it works:
Stimulates the vagus nerve, which calms the body and brain
Lowers cortisol, your primary stress hormone
Improves heart rate variability (HRV), a key sign of nervous system resilience
Releases mood-boosting endorphins and serotonin
That's why using the sauna before a massage or Rolfing® is such a game-changer. You walk into your session already relaxed, your tissues are prepped, and your therapist may even achieve better results in less time.
Cold Plunge in the Winter? Absolutely.
We know—it sounds intense. But many of our clients say once they try it, they're hooked.
A cold plunge session for just 1–3 minutes can:
Boost energy, alertness, and mood (thanks to a spike in norepinephrine and endorphins)
Reduce inflammation and muscle soreness
Support lymphatic flow and circulation
Help your body become more resilient to stress
It's like hitting a reset button for your brain and body—beneficial when the winter fog starts to roll in.
Sauna, Cold Plunge, or Both?
Everyone has different needs, and we're here to help you figure out what's best for you. Not sure where to start? Whether you're looking to decompress, energize, or recover, here's a quick breakdown of the benefits of each:
Just Sauna
Deep relaxation
Easing into self-care
Prepping for bodywork
Staying warm and calm through winter
Just Cold Plunge
Quick mood boost
Reducing soreness
Post-workout recovery
Building mental grit
Sauna + Cold Plunge (Contrast Therapy)
Circulation and lymphatic support
Mental clarity and focus
Muscle recovery
Stress resilience and overall reset
Start small:
→ 15-20 minutes in the sauna, then a 1–2 minute cold plunge.
→ Repeat if you feel comfortable.
The Science Behind the Benefits
Infrared sauna can increase heart rate variability and activate the parasympathetic nervous system—helping your body shift into "rest and digest" mode.
Cold plunge can trigger a release of norepinephrine and endorphins, supporting mood, stress resilience, and muscle recovery.
Contrast therapy (alternating heat and cold) improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and helps accelerate post-workout recovery.
Curious to learn more? Ask us during your next visit or check out our blog on Contrast Therapy.
What to Expect at Bull City Soles
No crowds. No shared sweaty rooms. Just a clean, quiet, private space where you can truly unplug.
Our infrared sauna fits one or two people and offers a calm, meditative experience
Our cold plunge is filtered, temperature-controlled, and easy to access
You can book just the Recovery Room or add it to your massage or Rolfing® session→ Especially helpful before bodywork to help you relax and maximize results
It’s also perfect between sessions to maintain progress, reduce stress, and support recovery
First-timer? We’ll guide you every step of the way
Ready to Warm Up, Cool Down, and Feel Better?
Whether you’re:
Feeling the winter blues
Wanting to support your immune system naturally
Prepping for your next bodywork session
Or just ready to feel more like yourself again...
Our Recovery Room is here to help you reset—on your terms, in your time.
👉 Book your session now or ask us about adding it to your next visit. Start small, stay consistent, and feel the difference this winter.
Just like Zack M. shared:
"After dealing with a lot of stress and digestion issues for a while, I decided to give the Recovery Room a shot. Julie and the staff shared a lot of information with me about the benefits of heat and cold therapy. Sauna was easy and I love the relaxation and relief I get from that. But as difficult as the first time was, contrasting with the cold plunge gives me life-changing results. I’ve done it a handful of times now this past year and after sessions I get instant stress relief and it feels like a reset to my nervous system. I’m aiming to make this a consistent discipline moving forward to see what happens."