Floating on a pontoon in a corner of south-west London is, surprisingly, one of the most enjoyable activities you can do right now.

TEMZ Floating Sauna in Teddington launched last year, bringing a traditional Nordic-style sauna and ice baths to the community, right on the River Thames.

As the name suggests, the sauna and ice baths float on a pontoon immersed in the river, with views of birds, water and nature.

In the past, I've tried saunas a few times at the gym, but I'd never taken a cold plunge.

Luckily, co-founder Eddy was there to guide me that Monday afternoon on the best way to maximise the effects of combining sauna and cold plunge, also known as contrast therapy.

"There are a lot of saunas, and sauna culture is growing here in the UK, but nothing that's floating on water," Eddy told me.

"We have this river that's still very wild, clean and full of nature. We thought, let's give it a go."

After travelling across Scandinavian countries and learning about the health benefits of saunas and cold baths, Eddy and his partner Amy decided to start their own locally.

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Eddy added: "I spent a lot of time in Norway and Sweden and fell in love with sauna culture and how it makes you feel—the energy boost it gives you.

"I can honestly say, and this isn't just bulls**t, the immune system benefits are real. It's great for your body, your muscles, but for me personally, I haven't had a cold in 16 months since I've been using this regularly."

During my 50-minute session, I did 15 minutes in the sauna, followed by 2–3 minutes in the ice bath, then 15 minutes in the sauna, a one-minute ice bath, a final 15 minutes in the sauna, and a quick 30-second ice bath to finish.

The ice bath was around eight degrees Celsius, but felt like zero when you factor in that I was in my swimming trunks and the outside temperature was about five degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the sauna ranged between 80–100 degrees Celsius, and I found myself craving the hotter temperatures even more after each dip in the ice bath.

I expected to feel relaxed in the sauna and jolted awake by the ice bath, and both were true, but I didn't expect the deep relaxation of not just my body, but my mind, as I sat there sweating, listening to birds and the wind brushing the water, while enjoying the river views.

The slap of the cold plunge was a welcome shock, waking up every fibre in my body and giving me a pleasant energy boost.

There's a lot of research on saunas and ice baths, and Eddy's promise of deep relaxation and muscle therapy definitely rings true.

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After showering and changing into dry clothes, Eddy left me with one final promise: I would sleep like a baby that night and I certainly did.

TEMZ Floating Saunas offer open sessions, private hires and welcome sports teams. To learn more visit its website here and to book click here.