Whitby.Well.Being Blog
Have a browse through our blog, touching on a variety of subjects about Whitby, meditation, healing & general health and wellbeing!
Danny
·
Mon 31 Aug 2026
Can Sauna Help Lower High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is incredibly common. Around 30% of adults in England have hypertension, and around 12% have untreated high blood pressure. It becomes increasingly common as we get older. [1] The slightly scary thing about high blood pressure is that you often don't know you have it. There may be no obvious symptoms, yet over time the additional pressure damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other cardiovascular problems. So where does sauna fit into this?
Danny
·
Mon 24 Aug 2026
Sauna & Pain: Can Heat Turn Down the Volume?
Millions of people live with persistent pain from conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis and chronic back pain. I've been looking at a really interesting question
Danny
·
Sun 3 May 2026
You overdid it. Food. Booze. Life.
Here’s why sauna (and a cold dip) actually helps. Bank holiday does what it always does. One more drink.One more takeaway.Sleep’s off. Head’s fuzzy. Body feels… slow. You wake up and think:“Right. I’ll just ride this out.” But here’s the thing — you don’t have to just sit in it.
Danny
·
Tue 20 Jan 2026
Sauna & Sleep: why a good sweat can be better than a sleeping pill
If you’ve ever had a deep, almost unreasonably good sleep after sauna, you’re not imagining it. Sauna doesn’t knock you out like a sedative – it nudges your nervous system, hormones, and body temperature in exactly the right direction for proper, restorative sleep. Here’s what’s going on, and what the research actually says.
Danny
·
Sun 16 Nov 2025
What are those funny red marks after the sauna?
Why You Sometimes Get Weird Heat Marks After the Sauna (And Why They’re Harmless) Every now and then, someone steps out of the sauna, looks down, and goes: “Err… why do I look like a marbled ham?” Totally understandable. Heat patterns on the skin look dramatic — but almost always they’re harmless, temporary, and simply your body responding to the big changes between hot and cold.
Danny
·
Tue 19 Aug 2025
Sauna, Swell & Staying Safe in the Sea
When there’s swell running, the sea asks for respect. Waves change the game, even the small ones. So here’s what you need to know before heading in.
Danny
·
Wed 6 Aug 2025
Sauna & Cold for Your Mind: The Mental Health Benefits, All in One Place
If you’ve been following this page for a while, you’ll have seen I’ve been steadily pushing out articles on all the incredible ways sauna and cold immersion support your body – heart health, immunity, sleep, skin, inflammation, energy... But let’s be honest – it can get overwhelming. So I thought I’d strip it back and write one piece that just focuses on what most people really come for: It makes you feel better. Not just a bit better. Like actually happy, grounded, energised, alive again. And for those of us who’ve dealt with stress, burnout, anxiety or depression – that shift is pure gold.
Tue 5 Aug 2025
Dopamine and cold water!
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter often referred to as the "feel-good" chemical because it plays a crucial role in pleasure, motivation, memory, and drive. Essentially, dopamine motivates us to repeat certain behaviors by rewarding us with feelings of satisfaction or pleasure—whether these behaviors are healthy (running!) or harmful (3 day cocaine benders). When dopamine production in the brain becomes imbalanced or insufficient, people often experience feelings of fatigue, low motivation, mood swings, and even depression.
Danny
·
Mon 4 Aug 2025
Sauna Session Sharing Policy
Why We Don’t Allow Guest-Swapping During a One-Hour Session
Danny
·
Sun 3 Aug 2025
Three Factors That Affect Depression I Never Knew About — And How Sauna Helps
I always thought depression was about low serotonin, bad sleep, stress, and past trauma. But during my thermalist training with Susanna Søberg, I came across three biological factors I’d never heard linked to mood before: inflammation, IL-6, and BDNF. I thouvght this was interesting because we usually talk about endorphin and dopamine hits as the mental health componant of saunas...and these can be somewhat short lived. However in this article we talk about something that is longer term. I admit this is a bit of a chewy read but if you have had or someone you know has had depression or suicidal thoughts in particular then this is defo worth a read.
Danny
·
Fri 1 Aug 2025
Sauna & Cold Exposure: Natural Tools to Ease Depression
If you’re feeling low, foggy, or stuck in a cycle of stress, this quick 3–4 minute read could offer a surprising nudge in a new direction. Instead of diving into medical jargon or wellness fluff, it breaks down how something as simple as a cold dip or a session in the sauna might help boost your mood—naturally. Backed by emerging science and linked to the very same brain systems targeted by antidepressants, this post offers an accessible, side-effect-free way to explore your mental health through body-based practices. It’s short, grounded, and could open a door to something that actually works.
Danny
·
Thu 17 Jul 2025
Thunder & Lightning Protocol
This is our Thunder & Lightning Protocol for our staff. I am publishing it here so that our guests know that we have their safety as priority.
Danny
·
Thu 26 Jun 2025
Sauna Safety: How to Know When to Get Out, Who Shouldn’t Sauna, and Why You Must Always Sit Down After
Sauna is a gift. It grounds you, clears your head, and melts tension from your bones. But if you push it too far? It can knock you sideways. Let’s be clear: this isn’t a competition. There is no prize for staying in the longest. There’s just you, your breath, your body — and a whole lot of heat. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe, feel good, and come out glowing instead of gasping.
Danny
·
Wed 25 Jun 2025
Why Sauna Works: The Science-Backed Benefits of Getting Sweaty on Purpose
We all know sauna feels good. That post-sweat glow, the floaty calm, the ache melting out of your bones—turns out it’s not just your imagination. Scientific research backs up what your body’s been trying to tell you all along: sauna is ridiculously good for you.
Danny
·
Wed 25 Jun 2025
Can Heat Burn Fat? Yes – Here’s the Science
We’ve talked before about how cold water activates brown fat to boost metabolism. But now, it turns out heat can do something similar — by activating beige fat.
Danny
·
Tue 24 Jun 2025
Real Sauna Protocols, Real Growth Hormone Gains
These numbers are based on peer-reviewed research and case trials, showing just how much your body can ramp up GH production in response to intense heat stress.
Danny
·
Tue 24 Jun 2025
Why Isn’t Sauna Prescribed Like a Pill?
Despite being backed by robust research and glowing with benefits, sauna bathing still isn’t part of mainstream medical advice in most of the health system. Why? And more importantly: what can you actually do to get the benefits yourself?
Danny
·
Mon 23 Jun 2025
Can Sauna Help You Live Longer? Here's What the Science Says
Let’s cut to the chase: studies show that regular sauna use is linked to a dramatically lower risk of dying—from anything. And yes, that includes heart attacks, strokes, and all the other stuff we’d rather avoid.
Danny
·
Mon 23 Jun 2025
Your Heart Loves the Heat: Sauna and Cardiovascular Health
You know what’s still the biggest killer out there? Not sharks. Not sugar. Not stress. It’s your heart giving out. Cardiovascular disease tops the list, taking out more people than anything else—quietly, gradually, and often without much warning. But here’s the wild bit: you can do something about it. And it doesn’t have to involve Lycra or a gym membership. One of the simplest, most effective ways to support your heart? Sitting in a hot box and sweating it out. Let’s break it down.
Danny
·
Mon 23 Jun 2025
Can’t Train? Let the Sauna Step In
Injury? Chronic illness? Burnt out? (can't be bothered??!) Sometimes, the body says no to exercise—and that’s okay. But here’s the exciting bit: saunas can help fill the gap when movement just isn’t on the cards.
Danny
·
Thu 19 Jun 2025
Why Some People Last Longer in the Sauna – And How You Can Train for It
Ever wonder why some people can stay in the sauna longer than you? It’s not magic – it’s heat adaptation, and you can train it too. Short, regular sessions teach your body to sweat earlier, lower your core temp, and handle the heat better. Here’s the key: Consistency beats intensity. You don’t need to push yourself to the edge – just show up, often, and gently. In this blog, I break down: 🔥 Why regular sauna makes you more heat resilient 🔥 How your body actually learns to manage heat stress 🔥 A simple step-by-step protocol to train your system safely It’s not about being tougher – it’s about being smarter.
Danny
·
Thu 19 Jun 2025
That Weird Fleeting Uncomfortable Sauna Feeling? It’s Actually Making You Happier
Some of you may have heard me talking about this in the sauna but i have never committed it to paper until now! There’s a point in most sauna sessions – usually somewhere around minute 9 or 12 – where things start to feel…uncomortably weird. For me it is a rising uncomfortableness , i start fidgeting..for others it might be foggy, grumpy, slightly claustrophobic. for all of us our brain's yelling “Why are we doing this again?”
Danny
·
Tue 17 Jun 2025
Heat Shock Proteins – Part 2: What the Main Ones Actually Do
If you're here, you probably already know heat shock proteins (HSPs) get switched on when your body is under stress — especially from heat, like sauna. This post is the deeper dive: no fluff, no recap, just what each of the main HSPs does, and what health benefit you get when they kick into action.
Danny
·
Tue 17 Jun 2025
Heat Shock Proteins: The Cell Rescue Crew You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’ve ever sat in the sauna with me, you’ve probably heard me banging on about heat shock proteins — HSPs. They come up a lot, because honestly, they’re kind of incredible... one of the main reasons sauna makes you live longer.
Danny
·
Fri 30 May 2025
Can Sauna Sessions Help with Sustainable Weight Loss?
When I first started digging into the idea of sauna and weight loss, I was intrigued—imagine losing 500g in 20 minutes just by sitting in a steamy box! Boxers and MMA fighters have been using sauna “weight cuts” for years. It sounded compelling. But as I researched, I quickly realised that this kind of weight loss isn’t quite what it seems.
Danny
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Fri 30 May 2025
Sweat It Out: How Sauna Could Boost Your Body’s Hidden Superpower
Okay, so here’s a question for you:Did you know your body has a natural repair system that’s working behind the scenes—while you sleep, exercise, and even when you’re just relaxing? It’s called Growth Hormone (GH), and it’s kind of a big deal.
Danny
·
Fri 30 May 2025
Sauna and Diabetes: Heat as a Support for Blood Sugar Balance and Prevention
Sauna bathing has been a part of wellness routines for centuries, offering relaxation and stress relief. For people with diabetes, emerging evidence suggests that sauna use may offer additional benefits for blood glucose management, both for those already living with diabetes and those aiming to prevent it.
Danny
·
Fri 30 May 2025
Can Sauna Reduce Stress?
Ever feel calmer and less stressed after a sauna? Well, science backs you up. A 2021 study looked at young, active men who did four rounds of sauna bathing (12 minutes each at 90–91°C) with 1-minute cold plunges in between. The researchers measured stress hormones like cortisol – the main one that spikes when we’re under pressure.
Danny
·
Thu 29 May 2025
What Happens in Your Body When You Step Into a Sauna?
You know that moment you walk into a sauna and it’s hot – but not immediately overwhelming? That’s because the body’s reaction to heat isn’t instantaneous like it is when you plunge into cold water. In the cold, everything kicks into high gear the second you’re submerged. But in the sauna, it’s a slow, unfolding process.
Danny
·
Wed 28 May 2025
How Long Should You Sauna & Cold Dip For?
I get this question all the time. We love that feeling when you step out of the sauna, skin tingling, heart pounding, and then the cold dip gives you that ZZZINGG – then back in the sauna! But how long should you actually stay in the sauna and cold water for max benefits? Let’s break it down, nice and easy. Thanks to a super interesting study by Dr. Susanna Søberg and her team (Cell Reports Medicine, 2021), we’ve got a bit of science to lean on. They looked at what happens when you combine regular sauna use with cold water dips.
Danny
·
Wed 21 May 2025
Brown Fat: Why You Want More of It (and How to Get It)
If you hang around me long enough you have hear me talk of brown fat. You might not have heard of brown fat before – or if you have, maybe you thought it was just something babies have. But here’s the thing: brown fat (or BAT, short for brown adipose tissue) is one of the most exciting and important areas in health science right now. And if you're into cold water, sauna, or just want to feel better in your own skin, you need to know about it. This isn’t just another “burn belly fat” fad. This is your body’s built-in heating system. It turns out that tucked away in small deposits – behind your neck, around your shoulders, and along your spine – is a type of fat that doesn’t store calories. It burns them. Let that sink in.
Danny
·
Mon 19 May 2025
🔥 Shiver Me Healthy: Can Cold Water Help Prevent Diabetes? 🔥
Let’s be honest. Cold water immersion can feel brutal. The shock. The gasping. That full-body shiver that makes you question all your life choices. But behind that dramatic reaction is something remarkable — your body is doing powerful, adaptive work. In 2014, Dr. Lee at the National Institutes of Health found that just 10–15 minutes of shivering could spike levels of irisin — a hormone released by working muscles — to the same level as an hour of moderate exercise. So while you’re out there shivering and cursing the wind, your body is quietly engaging in a metabolic upgrade.
Danny
·
Sat 17 May 2025
Mitochondria – More Than Just a Throwback to School(…and why you should care about them now)
Most of what we learn from the school curriculum? Utterly useless. Let’s be honest – no one’s sitting at their desk crunching algebra or referring to a textbook on oxbow lakes when making real-life decisions. Pythagoras? Great if you’re into triangles or arguing with people in comment sections, but otherwise… not exactly useful. But – and there is a but – I did a biology poster presentation back in the early '90s with my old mate David Brady. The topic? Mitochondria. Back then, it was just another box-ticking school project. But now, all these years later, it’s come back around in a totally different way. Because it turns out those weird little blobs floating in your cells that no one really cared about are actually kind of a big deal. Especially if you’re into health, vitality, cold dips, saunas, breathwork, or just not feeling knackered all the time.
Danny
·
Fri 16 May 2025
🔥 Cold, Breath & Asthma – Can Cold Exposure Help? ❄️
If you’ve got asthma, you’ve probably been told to avoid the cold — and with good reason. Cold air can trigger tight chests, wheezing, and flare-ups. But what if short, controlled exposure to cold could actually help reduce those symptoms? Let’s take a closer look at what the science (and lived experience) is starting to show.
Danny
·
Fri 16 May 2025
Cold water and your immune system – real studies, real results
You don’t need to spend 10 minutes in an ice bath to get the benefits. Two proper studies have shown how even short, regular cold exposure can seriously boost your immune response and reduce sick days.
Danny
·
Fri 16 May 2025
Cold Water Immersion , immune system and inflammation
Cold Water Immersion & Immunity: How Cold Sharpens Your Defence System. Most of us have felt that jolt when we step into cold water—heart pounding, breath catching. But what if that intense moment is doing more than waking you up? What if it’s also boosting your immune system? Cold Water Immersion (CWI)—whether through cold showers, dips in the sea, or ice baths—triggers a series of powerful responses in the body that can strengthen your immunity, reduce inflammation, and help you recover faster from illness or stress. Let’s break it down.
Danny
·
Mon 12 May 2025
Lost Property Policy
"Where’s my towel?!" It’s the post-sauna cry we hear more than you’d think. After a deep sweat, a cold dip, and that dreamy floaty feeling, it’s easy to wander off without your towel, shoes, changing robe — or even your underwear (yes, really). With over 10 sauna locations running each week, we’re picking up 10–15 forgotten items weekly, and while we love creating space for rest and renewal, we’re not set up to run a full-time lost property service. So, here’s how we’re keeping things simple and sustainable:
Danny
·
Thu 1 May 2025
Cold Shock Proteins: What Happens to Your Cells During Cold Water Immersion
You might’ve heard of heat shock proteins — those handy little molecules that help our bodies cope with stress like exercise or high temperatures. I picture them as a kind of school caretaker or janitor sweeping away all the crud from our cells.
Danny
·
Tue 22 Apr 2025
Can Cold Water Help You Lose Weight? The Surprising Truth About CWI & Fat Burning
If you've been hearing the buzz about cold water immersion (CWI) and its health benefits, you're not alone. From ice baths to sea dips, more and more people are diving in—and not just for the mental clarity and energy boost. There's growing interest in how cold water might support weight loss, and the science behind it is actually pretty exciting. Let’s get into it.
Danny
·
Tue 22 Apr 2025
Inflammation Isn’t the Enemy: Rethinking Cold Water, Recovery & Resilience
We hear it all the time — inflammation is bad. Something to fight, reduce, suppress. But that’s only half the story. Especially if you’re into movement, nature, cold water, or sauna — it’s worth understanding what inflammation actually is, and why you might not always want to switch it off. Because when it comes to cold immersion after exercise, the timing and intention matter more than you think.
Danny
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Tue 22 Apr 2025
Cold Water Immersion & The Lymph Network: How It Helps Your Body Flush & Fight
You might have heard people talk about the benefits of cold water immersion – from morning cold showers to wild dips in rivers and seas. But what’s actually happening inside your body? One of the unsung heroes in all this is your lymphatic system – and cold water plays a surprisingly powerful role in helping it do its job.
Danny
·
Tue 22 Apr 2025
Cold Water Immersion & Immunity – What’s Really Happening?
A cold dip can wake up your immune system and protect long-term health. When you take to the cold water there’s a fascinating chain reaction inside your body that does far more than just wake you up. Cold water immersion (CWI) is increasingly being studied for its powerful effects on immune function, inflammation, and long-term health. Here’s what’s going on under the surface:
Danny
·
Sun 20 Apr 2025
Hormetic Stress: Why We Choose Discomfort
Sauna, Cold, Fasting & Breathwork – What’s the Point?
Danny
·
Sun 20 Apr 2025
Who Should Be Careful With Cold Water Immersion?
While cold water dips can benefit almost all people, there are situations where caution is essential. Your nervous system is doing some serious toggling between stress and calm—so it’s important to build up gradually. Whatever you have going on: The key is to acclimatise yourself to the cld shock slowly incrementally over time so that the shock is diminished and your system is not too stressed.
Danny
·
Sat 19 Apr 2025
Why Cold Water Immersion Is Good for You
It’s not just good for training you to do things you don't like.
Thu 17 Apr 2025
What’s Happening in Your Body When You Enter Cold Water?
Discover the powerful chain reaction your body goes through the moment you step into cold water—from the initial shock to the calm that follows
Danny
·
Wed 16 Apr 2025
Can Everyone Use a Sauna? PreExisting Medical Conditions to Consider
Every Body is Different – We’ll Meet You Where You Are
Danny
·
Wed 9 Apr 2025
Kids/ Parents Sauna sessions
Introducing children to sauna and cold immersion can be a powerful way to help them connect with their bodies, build resilience, and develop a healthy relationship with rest, warmth, and recovery. With gentle guidance, short sessions, and full supervision, these experiences can support emotional regulation, sleep, and body awareness from an early age. Because children warm up and cool down faster than adults, it’s essential to proceed slowly, avoid high heat or long exposure, and always prioritise fun and safety over endurance. With care and presence, sauna and cold become a shared space of connection, confidence, and calm.
Danny
·
Thu 27 Mar 2025
Warming Up After Cold Water Immersion
To ensure safe, effective, and conscious rewarming practices after cold exposure, supporting participant wellbeing and long-term cold acclimatisation.
Wed 26 Mar 2025
Afterdrop- feel cold and shivering even hours after cold plunge?
What is it and how to prevent it.
Jennifer Robson · Sat 23 Nov 2024
Finding the Balance Between Peace and Connection in the Sauna
Sauna in the wild is the new pub
Jennifer Robson · Fri 26 Apr 2024
Get ready for a whole new level of wild sauna!
Say hello to our newest addition: a mobile sauna trailer.
Willow
·
Fri 19 Jan 2024
The Sweat Lodge - A Traditional Purification Ceremony
Ancient healing technology
Jennifer Robson · Thu 21 Sep 2023
Empowering your workforce’s wellbeing makes good business sense
Here are five ways you can offer support for your employees and foster a healthier and happier workforce.
Jennifer Robson · Thu 24 Aug 2023
It’s never too late for a sauna!
Did you know sauna sessions are especially great in older age?
Jennifer Robson · Wed 26 Jul 2023
The powerful healing benefits of a sound bath
A sound bath experience is when we immerse into high vibrational sounds created by various instruments including sacred gongs, bowls, drums, chimes, and tuning forks.
Jennifer Robson · Wed 14 Jun 2023
A snapshot of sauna health benefits
Boosting your core temperature in the sauna offers so many health benefits there’s almost too many to mention! Here’s a quick snapshot.
Jennifer Robson · Tue 9 May 2023
How to heat the sauna to suit everyone
There’s more to it than simply chucking water on the stones!
Jennifer Robson · Fri 31 Mar 2023
It’s getting hot in here! Here’s how to manage your heat tolerance in the sauna
The longer you can stay in the heat comfortably, the better as the heat of the sauna offers many benefits.
Danny
·
Tue 7 Mar 2023
Our cancellation & booking alteration policy
Sometimes life gets in the way, and you may need to cancel or alter your plans with us. Don't worry, we understand.
Jennifer Robson · Thu 2 Mar 2023
Getting the most out of your meditation and breathwork experience
As with anything, preparation is essential to get the most out of your experience. Here we share some tips on how to get the most out of your meditation, and breathwork experience.
Jennifer Robson · Tue 7 Feb 2023
Getting the most out of your sauna experience
Preparation is essential to get the most out of your sauna experience; here we detail how to get the most out of your sauna experience.
Jennifer Robson · Wed 7 Dec 2022
Wild ways to chill out and boost your wellbeing
Whitby Wellbeing has established itself as a big hit over the last couple of years, through its blend of wild saunas, cold water therapy, meditation and breathwork sessions, full and new moon experiences, and cacao ceremonies.
Jennifer Robson · Wed 7 Dec 2022
Hot and cold temperatures make a contrast for therapy
Whitby Wellbeing offers a blend of using wood-fired sauna heat and cold-water dipping and people love the hot and cold combination.
Jennifer Robson · Fri 7 Oct 2022
Hot tips to improve your health – take a sauna
Sauna heat therapy has been used for healing and wellness by civilisations across the globe since ancient times.
Jennifer Robson · Thu 29 Sep 2022
Breathwork: the art of conscious breathing
Have you ever tried the conscious breathing technique known as breathwork?
Jennifer Robson · Thu 18 Aug 2022
Chill out with a cold water swim
Swimming outdoors in cold water offers the chance to enjoy fresh air away from chlorinated waters, and when done regularly can have an overwhelmingly positive impact on our health.
Jennifer Robson · Thu 4 Aug 2022
Open your heart with a cacao ceremony
A cacao ceremony is a celebratory ritual where we prepare and mindfully enjoy a cacao drink. It is the perfect way to take time out from a stressful and busy world.