For centuries, people around the world have turned to heat therapy as a powerful way to relax, heal, and rejuvenate the body and mind. Today, a sauna session remains one of the most effective ways to experience these age-old benefits, allowing you to sweat out toxins, aid in detoxification, and enjoy improved circulation. In the heart of Margaret River, MEND has a traditional sauna, infrared sauna, ice bath and hot plunge on offer.
Why Saunas & Hot Baths should be included in your life
When done correctly, deliberate heat exposure offers amazing benefits!
There are many ways to access controlled deliberate exposure to heat, including infrared saunas, traditional Finnish saunas, and hot tubs.
According to Dr. Rhonda Patrick, a leading voice in health science, heat exposure isn't just a feel-good luxury—it's a powerful, science-backed tool for supporting long-term physical and cognitive health.
Here's why adding sauna sessions and hot baths to your routine might just be the health upgrade you didn't know you needed.
Inspired by Dr. Rhonda Patrick on Diary of a CEO:
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1. Better Brain Function (and Memory!)
Ever had a lightbulb moment in the shower or felt sharper after a soak in the tub? Turns out, it's not just in your head.
Dr. Patrick shares that during her time as a student, she'd head to the sauna before a major lab or experiment and rehearse her study notes - “I noticed that I was able to remember things better if I had gone through them in my head with the heat.” She states she still uses this practice today - “Sometimes when I travel and I'm giving a presentation or a talk, I'll get in the hot bath in my hotel room and I'll just lay in the hot bath and I just go through my talk in my head."
Years later, the science confirmed it: heat exposure increases growth hormones (by up to 16x depending on temperature and duration) and IGF-2 (a protein hormone)Â - both linked to improved memory and learning.
Pro tip: Next time you're prepping for a big meeting or an exam, try running through your notes in a hot bath or sauna. Your brain might thank you.
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2. Improves Sleep Quality
Struggling to wind down at night? The sauna and hot plunge can help!
Sauna and hot bath sessions trigger the production of certain inflammatory molecules that naturally promote sleepiness—helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Heat therapy not only induces physical relaxation but also helps reduce stress hormones, such as cortisol, in the body.
Body temperature naturally fluctuates throughout the day in alignment with your circadian rhythm, typically peaking in the late afternoon and gradually declining in the evening to prepare for sleep. Using a sauna or hot bath in the afternoon or early evening can enhance this thermoregulatory process. The subsequent drop in core body temperature—known as the 'post-sauna cooling effect'—can help reinforce the body's natural signal for sleep onset, making it easier to fall asleep at night.Â
Are you struggling to fall asleep at night, or find your self waking up multiple times? Try integrating sauna sessions or hot baths to your weekly routine and we can guarantee you will notice a difference.
Sweet dreams - you're welcome!
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3. Boosts Cardiovascular & Respiratory Health
Deliberate heat exposure, such as sauna use, boosts cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate, improving blood flow, and enhancing vascular function—effects similar to moderate exercise. Long-term sauna use is associated with reduced blood pressure and significantly lower risks of heart disease, stroke, and all-cause mortality, as shown in various well documented large-scale studies.
Infrared saunas use infrared wavelengths to heat the body from the inside out. They have been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality rates over time. Even hot tubs can have a similar effect. As Dr. Patrick highlights - “A study just came out a couple of weeks ago showing that a hot tub is very beneficial for improving blood pressure, doing all the same things that a sauna does.”
So what does this mean? In simple terms - later in life you are much less likely to have a heart attack and you'll be kicking it, happier and healthier for longer.
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Intentional heat exposure can help your body and brain perform at their best. From boosting memory and sleep, to supporting heart and blood health, it's a natural and relaxing practice with wide-reaching benefits.
Remember to hydrate well before and after heat exposure as you naturally lose water and important electrolytes when you sweat. Aim for 1 litre of water for every 30 minutes you spend in the sauna. Throw some LMNT electrolytes in for an added boost.
If you're new to MEND, we've got an intro offer including 5 sessions for $129 → TRY TODAY
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Inspired by the insights of Dr. Rhonda Patrick on Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett. (Episode: “Anti-aging expert on how missing this vitamin is as bad as smoking...”)
