Thermalist® Method
The Thermalist® Method is the culmination of years of scientific research by Susanna Søberg
Susanna has researched deep into metabolism, cold and heat exposure, and the body's natural ability to heal and adapt through temperature regulation. This comprehensive method is built on the principles of deliberate exposure to cold and heat, combined with specific protocols that are designed to optimize your metabolism and reduce stress. A cornerstone of the Thermalist Method is the Søberg Principle, a scientifically backed principle that encourages the body to naturally reheat itself after cold exposure, activating brown fat and boosting metabolism.
What is the Thermalist Method?
The Thermalist Method is a unique approach to health and wellness that integrates cold exposure, heat exposure, and breathwork into a structured protocol. This method is based on Susanna's extensive research as a PhD in metabolism, where we studied how these natural interventions can activate metabolic pathways, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation.
The science behind the Thermalist Method is rooted in how your body responds to temperature changes. By systematically alternating between cold plunges and sauna sessions, this method trains your body to adapt to stressors, enhancing both physical and mental resilience. The benefits are well-documented: improved fat burning, enhanced circulation, and a significant reduction in stress. In fact, our latest data shows that after just 3 months of following the Thermalist Method, participants experienced a 21% reduction in stress.
The Søberg Principle
The Søberg Principle is at the heart of the Thermalist Method. It is based on the idea that to enhance the metabolic benefits of cold exposure, you should allow your body to reheat itself naturally rather than relying on external sources like towels or saunas. This forces your brown fat—a type of fat that burns energy to produce heat—to activate, thereby improving your metabolic rate and overall health.
This principle isn’t just about braving the cold; it’s about strategically using the body’s natural responses to temperature for long-term health benefits. Scientific studies, including my own, have demonstrated that this protocol not only boosts metabolism but also has a profound impact on reducing body fat and improving glucose metabolism.
Scientifically Proven Benefits
The Thermalist Method is backed by science. Through rigorous research and clinical trials, we have observed the following benefits:
- Improved metabolism: By activating brown fat, the method enhances fat burning and helps regulate glucose levels.
- Reduced stress: Participants in our recent study reported a 21% decrease in stress levels after following the method for just three months.
- Enhanced mental clarity: Regular practice of cold exposure and heat therapy has been shown to increase focus and reduce brain fog.
- Improved immune function: Cold water therapy has been linked to stronger immunity, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects and improved circulation.
How the Thermalist Method Works
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Cold Exposure: Cold plunges with the adaptation program are the first step in the method, where you immerse yourself in cold water for a specific duration. This exposure triggers a cold shock response that activates brown fat and boosts metabolism.
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Heat Exposure: After the cold plunge, you transition into a sauna session, allowing your body to slowly reheat following a gentle heat adaptation program. This contrast between hot and cold trains your circulatory system and enhances your body’s resilience.
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The Søberg Principle: Instead of using external heat to warm yourself after the cold exposure, you allow your body to naturally reheat. This crucial step maximizes the metabolic benefits of the method.
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Breathwork: Breathwork exercises are incorporated to enhance the stress-reducing effects of the method, helping you stay calm and focused during cold exposure.
Join the Thermalist Method Movement
The Thermalist Method is not just about cold and heat; it’s about using the body’s natural systems to optimize health. Whether you're looking to reduce stress, improve your metabolism, or enhance mental clarity, this method offers a proven, scientifically grounded path to better health. And we continuous to research this at Søberg Institute.
Incorporating the Thermalist Method into your life is more than just a practice—it’s a lifestyle. Learn more about the method and how you can incorporate it into your wellness journey by signing up for our courses.
Learn More about "The Soeberg Principle" in the "Thermalist Method for instructors" or "Thermalist at home"
In the "Thermalist Method at home" course you learn these principles and how to align cold water therapy with your body's metabolism for long-term health benefits. You’ll learn not just the science, but also the step-by-step techniques on how to effectively integrate cold & heat exposure with breathwork techniques.
In the Thermalist Method for Instructors you are setting yourself up for a deep dive in science and practice in cold, heat and breathwork. You will learn about all the physical and mental benefits so you can practice this with confidence with your own clients.
Whether you’re looking to optimize fat loss, improve your metabolic health, or simply gain more energy, this approach can help you achieve your goals. Use this for your own lifestyle or teach others in your workshops.
The work you are doing is very important. As an interventional pain management physician I am always looking for non invasive ways for patients to improve their health and pain.
Dr. Søberg you have helped me so much with my new cold water plunge routine. I look forward to learning more about the optimum time to increase my metabolism, eliminating weak mitochondria and more. Thank you!
I am fascinated by your knowledge of metabolism and all things hot and cold. I am on my own wellness journey that includes nutrition, cold plunge and infrared heat.
Thank you from Australia! I am excited to learn more and love the work you are doing. I have started cold plunging for the past 10 weeks and noticing benefits but also dealing with problems such as reynauds and chilblains. I hope I can learn more to help me on my journey
Thank you for making the science of beath, cold and heat so accessible. Looking forward to becoming your first instructor from South Africa.
My husband and I love your work. We've done Bikram since 2008 and now I'm teaching it. Your work in cold is of great interest and you've inspired us to put in a cold plunge. Thank you!
I find your work really interesting. It supports my work as a cold water therapy coach, breathing coach and menopause wellbeing practitioner. I'm interested in your Thermalist Instructor Course as well, so want to keep up to date with your work. Thank you
The principles that you endorse have proven very effective for our family's health and physical performance
I first learned of you from Peter Attila's Podcast. I was so intrigued by your work. Thank you!
Thank you so much for all of this incredible information you put on. From the first time that I erased myself in an ice bath I went in to total shock and had no idea about the physiological effects that were occuring. After reading your first book and listening to many of your podcasts I now use this information to help men tackle mental health issues in my Men's group events.
Love your story, heard you on many different podcasts and you got me talking cold showers and talking about it to many of my patients. Keep up the great work!
I love how you really care about people's health
Glad to support your work as it has already made mine and my families life better!
I run a sauna and cold plunge business in New Zealand and love your work. Thank you for sharing this knowledge in a digestible way.
I'm sincerely hoping your information on the thermal therapy will help my wellness journey post pulmonary embolism
I'm excited to learn more about the cold water immersion and breath work. Looking forward to learning more about the instructor program.
You have changed my life and I'm hoping I can change others using your information. Thank you
Thank you for sharing such vital data in actionable ways!
I love your thoroughly evidenced approach while communicating effectively without scientific jargon. Thank you