The sauna was recently ranked as the no.1 global wellness trend by the Global Wellness Summit. Cold-water swimming is a growing trend and is being proposed as a cure for all manner of things, from improving mental health to boosting immunity. But what exactly is hot and cold therapy & why is it important for physical and mental health?

Dive into the unique world of hot and cold via Finland, where a good steam and an icy dip in a lake or the sea are the foundations of wellbeing for mind, body and soul.

This definitive guide by two experts takes readers on a journey into the transformative powers of hot and cold by pairing the sauna, that quintessential hot Finnish steam bath, with a cold-water dip. Along the way, it serves up the inspiration and practical tools for creating a wellness retreat at home using the Nordic contrast bathing philosophy wherever you are in the world.

The Finnish method of alternating hot and cold boosts happiness by increasing wellbeing and connecting with nature. It's the secret to how the world's happiest nation keeps calm and carries on - no matter what life throws at them.