DONEGAL’S first cosy, wood fired mobile sauna was launched at Portnablagh Pier in Dunfanaghy last weekend.
Founders Claire Buckley and Eli Gillis recently moved to the area from Cork where mobile saunas are all the rage.
The mobile sauna, which is called ‘Cocoon Sauna’, sits up to six people and has a panoramic window so you can enjoy the heavenly coastal views.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Eli Gillis, who is originally from San Diego, California said after frequently using the mobile saunas in Cork, they decided to buy one and bring it to Donegal.
“It is a new phenomenon but in a few years’ time they’ll be mainstream. It will be an island-wide thing soon enough I would say,” he said.
Commenting on this, Claire said a mobile sauna is an amazing thing to have in the community.
“It is a beautiful space to go and meet up with friends,” she said.
People interested in using the mobile sauna can either book a 45 minute slot or a 60 minute slot.
The idea behind the sauna is that you spend 15 minutes inside, or as long as you can handle and once you feel hot enough you can either stand outside or go for a cold plunge in the sea.
The couple class this as one round, but this can be repeated as many times as you like until your time slot is up.
Eli said there are loads of health benefits associated with heat exposure, cold water exposure and the combination of the two.
“The health benefit of sauna use is that it mimics cardiovascular exercise.
“When you are sitting in the sauna your heart is pumping as if you are going on a run or exercising.
“You are getting all the benefits that you get from blood flowing to your heart like improved cardiovascular health, boosts your immune system, it eliminates anxiety, stress, it releases endorphins and it reduces inflammation and aids recovery from injury,” he said.
Claire said the main focus is that their service is a stress reliever.
“Everybody experiences stress in their lives these days and it is just a place where people can come to relax and connect with nature,” she said.
If you are interested in booking a slot at Donegal’s first mobile sauna you can do so via http://www.cocoonsauna.com/
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