Winning Gold in Wellness: How a Nordic Circuit Can Turn Olympic Inspiration into Everyday Victory
Sarah Sjöström's pre-race bucket routine
As we watch our world’s superb athletes competing at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France this year, each of us are cheering for our favourites. I have been watching the swimming events and specifically Swedish metal winner Sarah Sjölström. I am inspired by her in that she is a 30-year-old who didn’t even plan to enter the 100-meter freestyle. After the freestyle relay she said, “No, I don’t think 100 free’s for me, I want to do the 50, I want to rest until the 50.” Her coach disagreed, ‘No way, you need to go out there and see what you can do no matter the outcome.’ She reluctantly agreed and won gold!
Every single person at these elite games is an exceptional athlete who we can learn from to improve our own physical health. As a ‘hobby swimmer’ who looks to women like Sarah for inspiration, I know she uses saunas for the health benefits. In true Scandinavian style, she also embodies the exhilarating effects of cold therapy by putting on a tech suit and swimming in snow! I too have learned of the benefits of hot/cold therapy from my Nordic family at a young age and have utilized these therapies most of my life. It is these experiences that propelled me towards opening Søle Nordic Wellness and introduce these benefits to you through our bespoke Nordic Circuit. Check out the amazing benefits of our traditional Finnish hot stone sauna, our cedar encased cold plunge pool, and our unique Himalayan Salt Haven for you to relax and experience the benefits of salt therapy.
Let’s take a quick dive into the proven benefits:
Your Pain Reduces - Since the blood vessels relax and dilate in a sauna, blood flow increases, and the experience can help reduce tension in the joints and relieve sore muscles. Saunas might also help those with chronic pain and arthritis. A study in people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, discovered that sauna sessions improved pain, stiffness, and fatigue over the course of 4 weeks.
There’s a reason ice baths have been recommended for sore muscles for generations. According to a 2022 review, numerous studies have shown that cold water therapy can reduce swelling, lessen the perception of pain in the body, and speed muscle recovery.
Your Muscles Recover Faster - Research on cold-water immersion has found evidence that it helps reduce the degree of exercise-induced muscle damage that can occur after physically challenging activities. Less damage leads to less inflammation, which in turn reduces soreness and helps restore physical performance the next day.
Your Inflammation Reduces - Cold plunges have been heavily associated with reduced inflammation. Since heightened inflammation is associated with a number of chronic conditions, this could potentially help stave off disease.
Your Performance Improves – Athletes may find improved performance through clearer airways and enhanced lung function of the salt air therapy you will experience during the relax phase of our Nordic Circuit.
Call us today and book your Nordic Circuit and you too can experience the benefits! Better yet, ask about our membership and enjoy the long-term benefits of regular hot-cold therapy.
Connie Thompson
Owner of Søle Nordic Wellness Spa