A wellness expert has revealed the best way for booze-loving Brits to shake their hangovers and kickstart their recovery during the upcoming festive season.
While many people will reach for the takeaway menu while suffering the after-effects of one too many mulled wines, Zoey Cotton has another solution.
The 42-year-old is encouraging punters to ditch the greasy grub in favour of a Nordic hangover “kill or cure” method: ice-cold plunges.
After a 4C degree dip in a wooden tub, Zoey, who owns an all-year-round outdoor spa that combines traditional Finnish and Scandinavian wellness practices, recommends you head straight into the sauna to sweat it out.
“For me, [a hangover is definitely a case of ‘kill or cure’,” said Zoey, the co-founder of Saunassa in Newquay.
“Sweating it out in the sauna can help detoxify [your body], while a cold plunge will jolt your circulation and wake you up.
“These [methods] can certainly help with some symptoms, but Nordic spa routines aren’t just useful after a night on the lash.
“They use a mix of hot and cold therapies with a wide range of benefits.
“Saunas increase circulation and promote relaxation by raising the heart rate, which can help with muscle soreness, joint pain and stress relief.
“Cold plunges are excellent for reducing inflammation and speeding up recovery, as they constrict blood vessels.
“This combination helps stimulate the immune system, boost metabolism and improve mental clarity.
“People often notice better sleep, reduced stress and a greater ability to handle physical and mental pressures.”
Saunassa first opened in October 2022 and has been a huge hit in the Cornish coastal town.
The site is equipped with a wood-fired sauna and hot tubs, as well as three different cold plunge baths.
With Newquay still being a UK hot spot for boozy stag and hen parties, the spa often gets groups looking for a quick recovery.
But with the ‘sober curious’ trend on the rise, the Scandinavian wellness spa is also popular with younger age groups and families.
Zoey added: ”Hen and stag groups visit now and then, but we have a diverse group of visitors.
“We’re proud to offer a safe space where people can come together without alcohol.
“The idea is to detoxify and refresh both the body and mind.”
Zoey herself has spent the past 10 years living and working in Canada, where she first got familiar with the idea of alternative wellness methods.
At the time, she managed a very popular après-ski bar and used the local Scandinavian spa for recovery and wellbeing.
She added: “We [my co-founder and I] wanted to create an accessible space where people could experience the incredible health and wellness benefits of a Nordic spa.
“Designed for a therapeutic experience that’s rejuvenating and deeply relaxing.
“The core of what we do is about keeping the experience affordable so it can be accessible to as many people as possible.”
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