An Introduction to Meraki Health: Float, Plunge, and Sauna Therapy

At Meraki Health, we’re committed to enhancing well-being through cutting-edge therapeutic services designed to rejuvenate both mind and body. Our focus is on providing a carefully crafted experience through float therapy, cold plunge therapy, and sauna therapy, each offering unique benefits backed by scientific research. Here’s a closer look at the benefits of each therapy and how they contribute to a balanced, restorative experience.


Flotation therapy gives us all an opportunity to really switch off

Float Therapy:
Deep Relaxation and Enhanced Recovery

Float therapy is the foundation of our offerings, providing a profoundly calming and restorative experience that allows the body and mind to reset. Our float tanks are designed to minimize sensations of confinement and are precisely calibrated to match the skin's temperature, enabling a state of true weightlessness. In this unique environment, you’re free to fully relax, which helps ease muscle tension, alleviate pain, reduce stress, and even lower blood pressure.

 

Studies have shown that float therapy can aid in deep relaxation, promote better sleep quality, and alleviate chronic pain.

 

In today’s fast-paced world, we rarely have the opportunity to truly switch off. The sensory-deprived environment of the float tank allows you to shut off distractions, reconnect with yourself, and gain a renewed sense of calm and clarity. This mental “reset” is invaluable for managing everyday stress and boosting mental clarity, leaving you feeling refreshed and centred.

Studies have shown that float therapy can aid in deep relaxation, promote better sleep quality, and alleviate chronic pain. It’s particularly effective for soothing sore muscles and relieving discomfort associated with conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia, providing lasting relief and rejuvenation. By entering a state of profound relaxation, float therapy supports both physical recovery and mental well-being, offering a holistic approach to enhanced health and balance.

 
 

Cold plunge therapy is an invigorating practice that enhances both physical and mental resilience

Cold Plunge Therapy:
The Power of Cold Exposure

Cold plunge therapy is an invigorating practice that enhances both physical and mental resilience, providing benefits that go far beyond immediate refreshment. By immersing yourself in cold water, you stimulate a powerful response that helps accelerate muscle recovery, reduce inflammation, and alleviate soreness—making it an excellent choice for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone seeking faster recovery and pain relief. For those managing chronic pain, cold therapy can offer relief from conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis by reducing swelling, promoting circulation, and easing muscle tension.

Beyond physical benefits, the mental and emotional effects of cold plunge therapy are equally profound. The cold exposure activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to a surge in neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which play key roles in mood regulation and focus. This release of "feel-good" hormones, including endorphins, creates an immediate boost in mood and leaves you feeling energized and uplifted. With regular sessions, the benefits accumulate, enhancing mental resilience and helping you manage stress more effectively.

Cold plunge therapy also bolsters the immune system. Research suggests that exposure to cold water increases the production of white blood cells and stimulates the release of norepinephrine, which not only regulates mood but also plays a role in immune defence. By priming the immune system and strengthening its response, cold plunge therapy can help protect against illness, leaving you more resilient and ready to face the challenges of daily life.

 

Sauna therapy is a popular choice for relaxation, recovery, and rejuvenation

Sauna Therapy:
Heat for Holistic Health

Sauna therapy has long been celebrated for its extensive health benefits and remains a popular choice for relaxation, recovery, and rejuvenation. The intense heat in a sauna boosts circulation by dilating blood vessels, which can help ease pain, reduce muscle tension, and accelerate recovery. For those managing chronic conditions, such as arthritis, the heat of a sauna can provide soothing relief and improve flexibility, allowing for enhanced comfort and mobility.

 
 

Studies suggest regular sauna use may even lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by promoting blood flow to the brain and supporting long-term cognitive health.

 

Sauna therapy is also known for its detoxifying effects. Sweating expels impurities, including heavy metals and toxins, promoting a sense of revitalisation. Additionally, regular sauna use supports cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate, which mimics moderate exercise and can lower blood pressure. Research shows frequent sauna sessions can reduce heart disease risk, enhancing overall cardiovascular function.

Beyond physical benefits, sauna therapy boosts cognitive health. The tranquil environment fosters relaxation and endorphin release, which can reduce stress and elevate mood. Studies suggest regular sauna use may even lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by promoting blood flow to the brain and supporting long-term cognitive health.

In essence, sauna therapy offers a holistic approach to health that rejuvenates both body and mind. By integrating regular sauna sessions into your wellness routine, you’re investing in a scientifically supported practice that enhances physical recovery, reduces stress, supports cardiovascular health, and promotes long-term cognitive resilience.


 

Our goal is to help you reconnect with yourself, ease daily stress, and empower your body’s natural healing processes.

A Holistic Approach to Well-being

At Meraki Health, we’re dedicated to supporting a well-rounded approach to health and well-being. Each therapy is thoughtfully designed to provide unique, targeted benefits—whether that’s deep relaxation and mental clarity from float therapy, invigorated recovery from cold plunging, or the soothing detox and cardiovascular support of sauna therapy. Together, these therapies create a powerful synergy, enhancing physical recovery, promoting mental resilience, and offering an all-encompassing sense of renewal.

Our goal is to help you reconnect with yourself, ease daily stress, and empower your body’s natural healing processes. Whether you're looking to recharge after a demanding workout, find relief from chronic pain, boost your immune system or cultivate a more balanced mental outlook, Meraki Health is here to support every step of your wellness journey. Experience the transformative effects of our holistic therapies and allow yourself the space to reset, restore, and thrive.

 

References

  1. Boereboom, C.L., Bourgois, J.G., Hettinga, F.J., & Arnold, J.B. (2022). Effects of cold-water immersion on recovery of physical performance and muscle soreness following strength, power, and endurance exercise: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 52, pp. 1533–1553.

  2. Caldwell, L.K., Kraemer, W.J., Post, E.M., Volek, J.S., Focht, B.C., Newton, R.U., Häkkinen, K., & Maresh, C.M. (2022). Acute Floatation-REST improves perceived recovery following a high-intensity resistance exercise stress in trained men. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 54(3), pp. 567–575.

  3. Feinstein, J.S., Khalsa, S.S., Yeh, H., Wohlrab, C., Simmons, W.K., Stein, M.B., & Paulus, M.P. (2018). Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST. PLOS ONE, 13(2), e0190292.

  4. Hirvonen, H.E., Mikkelsson, M.K., Kautiainen, H., Pohjolainen, T.H., & Leirisalo-Repo, M. (2006). Effectiveness of different cryotherapies on pain and disease activity in active rheumatoid arthritis: A randomised single-blinded controlled trial. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, 24(3), pp. 295–301.

  5. Kjellgren, A., Norell-Clarke, A., Jonsson, K., & Tillfors, M. (2020). Does flotation-REST (restricted environmental stimulation technique) have an effect on sleep? European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 36, Article 101090.

  6. Laukkanen, J., Khan, H., Laukkanen, T., & Zaccardi, F. (2015). Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(4), pp. 542–548.

  7. Moret, C., & Briley, M. (2011). The importance of norepinephrine in depression. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 7(Suppl 1), pp. 9–13.

  8. Rodushkin, I., Genuis, S.J., Birkholz, D., & Beesoon, S. (2010). Blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study: Monitoring and elimination of bioaccumulated toxic elements. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 61(2), pp. 344–357.

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The Science-Backed Benefits of Sauna Therapy: A Gateway to Health and Longevity