Should You Finish Your Sauna Session on Cold or Hot?

At Sliabh Liag Sauna, we’re often asked one surprisingly tricky question: “Should I finish my session with heat or cold?”

If you’re combining sea swimming and sauna., especially here at Teelin Pier,  the short answer is: Finish cold, unless you're heading straight to bed!

Let’s break it down:

Why You Should Finish Cold

In most wellness traditions (including Nordic saunas), the recommendation is to end your session with cold exposure, whether that’s a dip in the Atlantic, a cold shower, or a quick splash in our plunge pool. 

Here’s why it works:

• Closes pores and calms skin after sweating
• Boosts circulation and gives a natural energy lift
• Reduces inflammation and soothes tired muscles
• Leaves you feeling refreshed and alert

When It’s OK to Finish on Warm

There are a few moments when staying warm at the end is the right call:

• If you’re saunaing before bed and want to stay in a relaxed, drowsy state
• If it’s very cold or windy outside and you don’t want a deep chill lingering
• If you’re already cold from swimming and want to reheat your core

Our Tip: Listen to Your Body

The key is to cycle through heat and cold a few times, and pay attention to how you feel. Everyone's ideal finish is a little different.

But for most, especially after a wild Atlantic dip, that final blast of cold feels like a reset button.

Next time you visit Sliabh Liag Sauna, try experimenting with how you finish your session. Want to end on hot and watch the sun set from Bunglas viewing point? Go for it. Prefer to step out of the sea and towel off tingling and alert? Even better.

The ritual is yours. We’re just here to stoke the fire 🔥

 Book your sauna experience here