Something I learned recently surprised me.
And maybe it’ll surprise you, too.

A few weeks ago, I attended a fascinating conference on Healthy Aging 2025 at Stanford University, hosted by The Longevity Project. I’ve been to a lot of conferences in my life—on cities, infrastructure, coaching, you name it—but this one opened a new door for me. One session in particular caught me off guard.

It turns out that raising your core body temperature once a day—yes, actually heating yourself up—isn’t just about comfort. It’s a profoundly powerful health strategy, both physically and mentally.

We’re not just talking about getting cozy under a blanket. This is about purposefully increasing your body’s internal temperature. The benefits?
– Improved cardiovascular health
– Reduced inflammation
– Better mood
– Enhanced cognitive function
– Even increased longevity

Rachele Pojednic, Director of Scientific Research and Education at Restore Hyper Wellness and a faculty member at Stanford, laid out the research. She made the case, convincingly, that most of us aren’t generating enough internal heat on a daily basis—and our bodies are poorer for it.

🔥 What Works to Raise Body Temperature?

A hot shower is good.
A soak in a hot tub is better.
But best of all? A good sweat in a sauna.

 

I’ve long admired the Scandinavian tradition—the image of Finns jumping from a 180°F sauna into a hole in a frozen lake. Breathtaking, literally.

Maybe that appreciation is in my blood. After all, my last name is Peterson—so I’ve got at least a little Scandinavian in me.

But here’s something else I didn’t know:

You don’t need the cold plunge to get the benefits.
Just the heat alone—just sitting in the sauna—is enough.

That was news to me. I had always assumed the dramatic hot-then-cold routine was the secret sauce. But it turns out, it’s not necessary. The real magic happens when your core temperature rises and stays elevated for a sustained period.

Peter Attia, the longevity-focused physician and podcaster, explores all of this in The Drive, episode #341. He explains how heat exposure stimulates heat shock proteins, improves circulation, and helps regulate inflammation. It’s like an internal tune-up for your whole system.

🌊 Living on Lake Union—And Watching the Heat Float By

I live on a floating home on Lake Union in Seattle—the kind you might remember from Sleepless in Seattle. One of the joys of my location? Watching what floats by.

Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more floating hot tub boats glide past my home. Yes—actual little wooden barrel-shaped boats with electric motors, steering wheels, and bubbling tubs of steaming water. They look like something out of a Scandinavian dream.

And now, a new twist:
A floating sauna.

You can rent one by the hour through a Seattle venture called Wild Haus Floating Saunas. I haven’t tried it yet (not exactly cheap), but it looks absolutely magical—this warm, glowing cedar pod drifting through the mist.

Truth is, I already have a hot tub on my own deck. Every evening before bed, I slip into it. Steam rises. A heron glides past. Sometimes, I see the Space Needle glowing in the distance. It’s become a ritual.

I used to think of it as a luxury.
A little indulgence.
Something nice.

Now I know better.
Now I know it’s good for me.

Raising your body’s temperature once a day might just be one of the best things you can do for your health, your mood, and your long-term vitality. No need for ice baths, polar plunges, or arctic dips—unless your Scandinavian ancestors insist.

Just heat.
Just a little intentional warmth.

Let me know if this was news to you, too—or if you’ve already discovered the power of heat. And if you’re ever in Seattle, maybe I’ll see you out there on Lake Union… floating toward a sauna.