New research shows that heat therapy effective in helping depression

New study shows people with depression have higher body temperatures and that heat therapy may be more effective than cold exposure (ref).

Jane Witt is the UK’s first-ever Thermalist instructor, based at Sandbanks’ Saltwater Sauna and is speaking at the UK Sauna Summit 20 May. She says “this research is ground-breaking and reflects what I see every day. It is proof that you can heat yourself happy.” 

A new study by the University of California has shown that people with depression have higher body temperatures than those who do not, suggesting that heat therapy may be more effective in treating the condition than cold exposure. 

20,000 participants from 106 countries were studied. The participants all wore a device measuring their body temperature and self-reported their body temperatures and depression symptoms each day for seven months.

The research suggests that heat therapy, putting the body under heat stress, can help the body modulate to a lower core temperature for longer than cold therapy, thereby reducing symptoms of depression. 

With contrast therapy, deliberately putting your body in cold conditions can improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity and trigger release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine which enhance energy, mood, and focus.

Jane Witt, who recently became the UK’s first-ever Thermalist instructor and works at Saltwater Sauna on the prestigious Sandbanks beach in Poole Dorset, says she regularly helps people through both physical and mental conditions: 

“This research is ground-breaking in a number of ways. The study shows that when people recover from their depression regardless of how they got better — their temperature tends to regularise (ref). Ironically, by putting the body under heat stress, the body modulates its core temperature better and stays lower for longer than through an ice bath. The results I see through my work continue to amaze me. The potential of natural Nordic contrast therapy is limitless. In this country we are just catching on to what the Scandinavians have known for years.”

The World Health Organisation estimates 5% of the global population suffer from depression (ref) and that it has increased significantly since Covid. 

About Jane Witt

“During my incredible time in the Army I have experienced the wettest, coldest and the hottest conditions. I’ve served in the deserts of Iraq, been thrown around the Arctic on a boat, thinking I wasn’t going to make it. I’ve tried to sleep in the freezing cold after a day of digging trenches. 

“As a result, I can gently coach people as they take their bodies through hot and cold extremes of temperatures. It’s a natural health boost and people become euphoric. That’s why we are booked up weeks in advance and why people keep coming back for more.”

Jane Witt, 47, left the Army after 23 years last year as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Corps of Signals to work as the Sauna Master based at The Saltwater Sauna, Sandbanks Dorset (the UK’s most expensive place to live). Situated on the Blue Flag Award Winning Sandbanks Beach, the sandy beach and shallow waters allow easy access to the cooling sea for cold water immersion. 

She has retrained to become the UKs first-ever Thermalist® Instructor, having been certified by the Søberg Institute under Dr Susanna Søberg, a world-leading researcher in metabolic health. 

Jane is nominated as Best Practitioner in the UK Sauna Industry Awards (presented at the Sauna Summit at Netil 360 in London on 20th May).

Introducing people to the sauna and cold water and educating them on their use for physical and mental health and well-being benefits is where Jane Witt at The Saltwater Sauna believes there is the most potential to impact and improve people’s lives through her work.

She is also trained in Lithuanian Pirtis (thermal leaf whisking) through the Lithuanian based International Bath Academy and Aufguss (movement of steam and essential oils with towel waving) under a three time Aufguss World Champion in the Netherlands. 

What is Thermalist®?

Author of Winter Swimming and Thermalist: a Healthier and Happier Life Through Sauna and Cold Therapy, Dr Susanna Søberg launched a 3-week Thermalist Cure™ programme in 2023 for individuals. Dr Søberg is an international expert and scientist in cold and heat therapy to reduce stress, improve sleep and optimise performance. Breathing as a way to lower stress, has been part of the research in cold water immersion and sauna. 

The Thermalist programmes, and specifically the Søberg Principle aims to provide natural ways to combat many of the inflammatory lifestyle diseases so prevalent today. A growing number of studies has shown regular sauna use is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimers as well as lowering blood pressure and reducing cholesterol. 

Photo credit: Arran Kenny