Saunas date back to ancient times and have been used for various health purposes, such as relaxation, detoxification, and pain relief. There is a modern type of sauna that uses infrared light instead of steam or hot air to heat the body. This is called an infrared sauna, and it has some benefits that you may not get from a traditional sauna.
An infrared sauna is a device that uses infrared lamps to emit an electromagnetic type of heat that penetrates your skin approximately 1.5 inches and warms the body directly. Unlike a traditional sauna, which heats the air around you to a high temperature, an infrared sauna operates at a lower temperature, usually between 110°F and 140°F. This makes it more comfortable and tolerable for some people, especially those who have difficulty breathing in hot and humid environments.
According to some studies and research, using an infrared sauna may have the following benefits for your health and well-being:
- Stimulate the cardiovascular system and increase blood circulation, like moderate exercise does.
- Reduce inflammation and pain in the body and joints.
- Relax tight muscles.
- Boost mood, memory, and cognitive performance.
- Promote relaxation.
- Detoxify and help eliminate toxins through sweating.
- Improve skin health and appearance by stimulating collagen production, enhancing blood flow, remove toxins and impurities from pores.
- Improve sleep by relaxing the body and mind to improve the quality and duration of sleep.
If you are new to infrared saunas, start slowly and gradually. The optimal time and temperature may vary depending on your personal preference and tolerance. Generally, your first session is 10-15 minutes and gradually increases with each session but should not exceed 40 minutes or 140°F per session.
Points to remember:
- Stay Hydrated: Infrared saunas can make you sweat a lot. Drink plenty of water before and after your session to keep hydrated.
- Wear loose and breathable clothing: You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in, such as a bathing suit, shorts and T-shirts etc. Avoid wearing tight or synthetic fabrics that can restrict your blood flow or trap heat and moisture. You should also remove any jewelry, glasses, or contact lenses that can get hot or damaged by infrared heat.
- Listen to your body: You should pay attention to how you feel during and after your session and stop or take a break if you feel dizzy, faint, or uncomfortable.
- Rest and recover: Give yourself some time to rest and recover, before resuming your normal activities. You may feel tired, or lightheaded after your sauna session, so avoid strenuous work afterwards and be sure you have recovered before driving.
Infrared saunas are a therapeutic tool with a variety of potential benefits for your physical and mental health. There are certain conditions and medical contraindications to take into consideration before proceeding with an infrared sauna session. Such as, pregnant or maybe pregnant, nursing, fever, heat intolerance illnesses, hemophiliacs, pacemaker, chemotherapy, artificial joints or metal surgical implants. You should have a consultation with your physician to make sure an infrared sauna is suitable for you if you have any of these conditions. Contraindications are explained and discussed by Balanced Wellbeing to be able to clear you for the use of the infrared sauna.
Follow the safety guidelines, to enjoy a relaxing safe and effective sauna session for aches and pains, tight muscles, chronic fatigue, improve skin, and more.