About this episode

Glenn Auerbach discusses the psychological effects of sauna and cold-water immersion with psychotherapist Sierra Blake, exploring themes of community and belonging.

In Episode 135 of Sauna Talk, Glenn Auerbach welcomes psychotherapist Sierra Blake for a live conversation recorded at Sauna Days 2026 on the shores of Lake Superior. Sierra brings a graduate background in mental health psychology from the University of Minnesota, along with clinical experience working in trauma and addiction medicine. Her work explores the relationship between mind and body, including the potential psychological effects of sauna and cold-water immersion. This conversation moves beyond the usual discussion of what heat does to the body and asks a bigger question: What can shared sauna experiences do for our relationships, our communities, and our sense of belonging? Sierra explains how heat and cold create manageable stress, followed by a calming nervous-system response that may support openness, awareness, and connection. She also shares emerging research suggesting that the benefits of communal sauna may come not only from the heat itself, but from ritual, emotional synchrony, shared challenge, and the feeling of belonging to something larger than ourselves. Glenn, Sierra, and the Sauna Days audience explore: • The connection between the sympathetic and…

People in this episode

Host: Glenn Auerbach

Guest: Sierra Blake

Topics covered

• sauna
• mental health
• community
• belonging
• mind-body relationship
• ritual
• stress management

Keywords

• sauna
• cold-water immersion
• mental health
• community connection
• ritual
• stress
• mindfulness
• nervous system

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Minnesota

Places: Lake Superior

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• The New Party Sauna: Community, Cold Plunges & Sauna Days | Josh Leddy & Leif Kjorness | Sauna Talk 131 · May 14, 2026 · 56 min

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