In late 2019, Kevin MacDonald noticed that his twin 16-year-olds, Allie and Lexi, seemed sad and uninterested in schoolwork. He decided to buy an infrared sauna for the family after seeing research on the potential mental health benefits. For MacDonald’s family, the purchase has paid off. “It’s been therapeutic for the kids in dramatic ways,” he says.
As more adults have been incorporating saunas, cold plunges and other hot and cold therapies into their wellness routines, increasingly, they’re encouraging their kids to do the same.
Emerging research suggests these therapies offer physical and psychological benefits for adults. But experts warn that kids’ systems for regulating internal temperature are still developing: “So whatever risks you have in adults will be amplified by an order of magnitude,” says Francois Haman, a professor of biology who researches thermal physiology at the University of Ottawa.
“We must be mindful that teens have specific requirements and concerns that need to be addressed, both physically and emotionally,” says pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Henry.
Here, Haman, Henry and other experts share their views on the potential benefits of hot and cold therapy for kids, and and how parents can help them stay safe.
What are the benefits of hot and cold therapy?
Sauna bathing may increase feel-good brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin, and may also lead to improvements in heart health and chronic pain. Sauna use may increase blood circulation, helping to reduce blood pressure and speed recovery from physical activity. So far, though, studies have looked only at the effects of sauna in adults. Caroline Smith, director of Appalachian State University’s Thermal and Physiology Laboratory thinks these benefits may apply to kids, though more research is needed.
As with heat, cold exposure and immersion can trigger a psychological high, Haman says. “You actually feel good once you come out of the cold,” he tells Fortune. But he says he’s seen no compelling evidence of other benefits touted by wellness influencers, such as detoxification and building healthy brown fat.
Henry, the pediatrician, sees potential for both the heat and cold. “Teens want to take advantage of how these modalities can promote their well-being,” she says.
During the pandemic, MacDonald joined his daughters in the sauna every morning, and he saw how their self-esteem and discipline grew as they…
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