In crowded settings or intimate gatherings, daylight savings has morphed into more than a clock reset, but a topical conversation starter — especially for dwellers in the central time zone. Many mourn the sun’s setting at 4:30 p.m. and anticipate frigid temperatures, less outdoor time and even seasonal depression. But wellness studios across Nashville are extending possible solutions, largely in the form of high-tech treatments.
To examine the abundance of contrast therapy, AI massages and everything in between, Nfocus visits with industry leaders to identify the benefits of these services — and how winter presents a unique opportunity to adopt new holistic routines. “There’s four seasons in a year, and our daily ritual can change as the seasons change,” says Lolu co-founder Chirag Challa.
Contrast Therapy
An increasingly popular way to care for your mind and body is to alternate between an infrared sauna and a cold plunge tub. Studies show that contrast therapy can decrease muscle soreness, regulate the nervous system, increase blood circulation and reduce inflammation. Additionally, consistent sauna use may even decrease all-cause mortality.
But contrast therapy is as much of a mental challenge as a physical one. “Cold plunging is a mental battle,” says Mike Bailey, co-owner of Pause Studio. “Your body physically is fine. It is your brain telling you, ‘It’s really cold. I’ve got to get out.’” Cold water immersion can increase noradrenaline by 530% and raise dopamine by 250% — figures that make massive impacts on mental health during darker months.
Chirag argues that, while conquering intimidation is a large factor, the victory of overcoming something can be applied to other areas of life. “What we talk about a lot are those intangible benefits of ‘I did this thing that was really hard,’ and it can translate as a ripple effect into what you do on a daily basis,” he says. “Whether it’s a hard conversation at work or with your partner — something that you want to fight and push through — it’s a daily reminder of ‘I can do hard things.’”
While an effective practice, studies suggest that women may benefit from plunging in slightly warmer temperatures than men, but more research is needed to determine the ideal temperature range. “We recognize that women’s bodies have unique thermoregulatory processes and that most research in contrast therapy and cold plunging has been focused on men,” says Lolu co-founder Evan Galante. “There’s a huge bias there, and that’s something that we need to change in that industry.”
Regardless of how green or seasoned a cold plunger may be, contrast therapy is all about creating a personal experience and tuning in to body cues. And for some studios like Lolu, the practice becomes an organic, communal activity. “I think people in this community are craving a place where wellness is not about performance,” says Evan. “It’s more about ritual, belonging and human connection, and that’s a huge part of wellness that is not necessarily talked about much.”
Evan intentionally designed Lolu’s sauna to accommodate 40 people, while the cold plunge tub can hold around 20. This differs from other studios in the area, where guests are sequestered into private rooms. At Lolu, chatting in the sauna is common. New friendships are often formed, and a successful cold plunge becomes a group achievement. “Anyone can build a sauna or a cold plunge,” says Evan.” “It’s really about the people that are in those spaces.”
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy offers a different means of renewal. Lying on a bed peppered with LED lights can minimize the appearance of dark spots, discoloration, acne and wrinkles — and even lessen chronic pain. Additionally, the treatment has been proven to improve cell function, promote healing, boost circulation and repair tissue. “It penetrates down about eight millimeters in your mitochondria,” says Mike. “It helps with inflammation and achy joints, especially in the winter.”
Mike claims that a frequent Pause Studio customer uses red light therapy to ease her rheumatoid arthritis. “When she gets there, she can’t make a fist,” he says. “When she leaves, she can.”
While the health benefits are apparent, red light therapy can even minimize winter’s most common mental challenge — seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. As dopamine production increases in response to light and decreases in darkness, clinical researchers have conducted studies to measure the antidepressant effects of light therapy.
Notably, a study by The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease suggests that an instant mood boost may be detectable after just one session. This research supports Pause’s mission, which is rooted in the idea that mental and physical wellness are linked. “If your body feels better, mentally, you feel better,” says Mike.
Flotation Therapy
Aptly, the winter months are perfect for rest and renewal — and flotation therapy extends an opportunity to release stress. When guests try the service at Pause Studio, they’re signing up to enter a pod filled with 1,200 pounds of Epsom salts, close the door and enter a state of weightless meditation. “You get in, and it is intended to be sensory deprivation, meaning no light, no sound,” says Mike. “We are all way too stimulated with our phones, and I think our brains just need a chance to reset.”
Mike assures that the service is restorative — not claustrophobic. “When you first look at it, it’s a little intimidating,” he says. “I mean, it’s a giant clamshell, for lack of a better term.” The sensory deprivation tanks are designed to be deep and spacious, offering custom light and music adjustments to make the experience less daunting. And no, you won’t drown. “That’s the first thing I tell people: ‘You have to trust it,’” says Mike. “You cannot sink. It’s like the Dead Sea.”
Once inside the pod, guests are immersed in a nearly zero-gravity environment. It’s recommended to let go of your body weight and know that the water will carry you. While flotation therapy can help release stress and increase mental clarity, physical benefits include tension relief, lessened joint pain and even better sleep. In fact, the Pause team asserts that the time spent in the flotation tank can create similar effects to those of a deep REM state. “An hour of float is the equivalent of three to four hours of regular sleep,” says Mike.
AI Aescape Massage
Now introducing the most dystopian, yet cutting-edge treatment yet — Aescape AI massages. The robotics company seeks to “envision the future of self-care,” and its machines are slowly making their way to Nashville.
Masseuses helped develop the technology to provide precise and customized care, creating an experience like no other. Guests wear thin, tight suits to keep the skin from bunching up. Cameras are placed at the foot and head of the massage bed and scan the person’s image. To personalize the experience, everything can be controlled on an iPad, including the music, pressure and exact location of the massage. The system then saves each customer’s profile, learns what they like and applies those settings in other sessions.
This futuristic service is still in early stages and, at Pause Studio, currently treats the back only. However, Aescape machines are expanding to more locations, and the technology will eventually address the entire body. “There’s two other places in town that offer it,” says Mike. “One’s a hotel, and one, you have to be a member of that club. We will be the only place that you can walk in and take advantage of this.”
For more information about Lolu, visit https://www.lolulife.com/. To learn more about Pause Studio’s new Green Hills location, visit https://pausestudio.com/locations/green-hills.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.