How Can Infrared Saunas Help?

Can Infrared Saunas Help with Disease Prevention?

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Nowadays, more and more people are using infrared saunas as one of the most preferred rejuvenation practices in their healthy lifestyles. It is the easiest and quickest way to prevent illness, detoxify cells, relieve achy joints and muscles, boost the immune system, rejuvenate the skin, feel confident and relaxed, and promote high-level wellness.

Most infrared sauna users report significant improvements in health and vitality.

How does the use of infrared saunas prevent disease?

Flushes Toxins:

Sweating is highly effective when it comes to helping the body eliminate toxins. According to studies, the increased sweating experienced in infrared saunas helps our bodies rid themselves of toxic metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic.

In fact, prolonged exposure to sauna heat can deplete the body’s stores of toxic trace metals, thus preventing a wide range of chronic ailments, including cancer.

Moreover, induced sweating in infrared saunas helps mobilize BPA (Bisphenol-A) in adipose tissue, leading to increased excretion of sweat (water and toxins). This is based on the fact that infrared saunas help you sweat at a faster rate.

Can Infrared Sauna help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?

Infrared saunas can help optimize blood pressure, improve vascular function, boost cognition, and reduce inflammation. Studies show that Finnish men who use saunas frequently have a significant reduction in Alzheimer’s and dementia risk. Alzheimer’s is now the third leading cause of death in the US and any technique that helps delay or prevent the onset of dementia adds hope.

Do Saunas Burn Calories?

The enhanced calorie burning effect of saunas is one of the main benefits most people seek when going for infrared sauna sessions. Infrared saunas help increase the body’s core temperature and you can easily burn up to 600 calories in a 25 to 30-minute sauna session. This has led to an increase in the use of infrared saunas in various weight loss programs.

If losing weight is your main goal, you can visit an infrared sauna at least 4 times per week. In addition to helping you lose weight safely and effectively, regular infrared sauna sessions can also help prevent a multitude of diseases including diabetes, stroke, gout, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and gallbladder disease.

Improves cardiovascular function

Using an infrared sauna triggers effects similar to those of working out largely due to the released endorphins, increased core body temperature and sweating. Studies also show that infrared saunas and working out provide similar cardiovascular benefits. Therefore, sauna use reduces the risk of all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease, fatal cardiovascular disease, and sudden cardiac death.

Can Saunas Lowers Blood Pressure?

For most people, sitting or lying down in a sauna for 15 to 20-minute session a week is enough for them to reap the benefits. During an infrared sauna session, as the body sweats, the heat stimulates better circulation and blood flow throughout the body.

Better circulation helps lower blood pressure, thus relaxing joints and tight muscles and easing minor pains and aches to boot. If you are experiencing joint or muscle pain, or chronic conditions like arthritis, heat from the infrared sauna can provide relief by reducing inflammation and stiffness.

Will Saunas help Reduce Inflammation and Pain?

Studies show that infrared saunas help with pain and inflammation. Infrared saunas have also been shown to help reduce pain and discomfort caused by fibromyalgia as well as chronic pain caused by cardiovascular diseases. It’s also an effective treatment for chronic lower back pain. With opioids claiming more lives than most illnesses, it’s important to explore non-pharmaceutical options for pain relief seriously.

Prevents colds and flu

If you feel like you’re on the verge of coming down with something, going for infrared sauna sessions could help. The radiant heat from the infrared sauna will improve circulation and stimulate your body to produce more white blood cells that will ward off of kill invaders.

In addition to killing dangerous invaders, this action also creates a less hospitable environment for viruses and germs to grow. Moreover, the increased blood flow that comes with frequent use of the sauna speeds up muscle recovery, helping you get back to your daily routine faster.

The takeaway

In addition to providing a relaxing experience, studies show that infrared saunas can prevent most conditions that cause illness. Although, infrared saunas are considered safe for most people, pregnant women, older people and people with chronic conditions should seek medical clearance before using them to avoid risk of further complications.

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An Overview of Infrared Saunas and Their Perks

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Nowadays, more people are sweating it out; but not in spin or hot yoga classes, rather in infrared saunas. Unlike a traditional sauna which uses heaters or wood stoves to heat up the air, infrared saunas (IFS) use infrared light to warm up the user directly. IFS are designed to provide heat at a lower and more comfortable temperature. These waves penetrate the skin to up to 1.5 inches warming up your body and opening your blood vessels (vasodilation).

Infrared waves have been studied for several decades and are commonly used to keep newborns safe in hospitals. Moreover, medical practitioners around the world use infrared rays to increase flexibility, ameliorate pain, and heal skin conditions. Some of the conditions infrared sauna therapy can help with include:

Arthritis, joint relief, and muscle aches
Type 2 diabetes
Detoxification
Fatigue and stress
Headaches
Immune system support
Heart health
Appearance of cellulite
Skin conditions
Calorie burning and weight loss
Some cancers

Benefits of Infrared Sauna Therapy

Infrared sauna therapy helps increase blood circulation and stimulates sweat glands to release built-up toxins. They can help detoxify your body by releasing toxins such as heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel), sulfuric acid, nicotine, and alcohol, as well as other inorganic and organic compounds. For decades it’s been known that sweating is a vital detoxification process that helps eliminate stored chemicals. Some of the chronic conditions infrared sauna therapy can help with include:

High Blood Pressure

Studies show that far infrared saunas can help improve circulation and blood flow. In fact, many sauna users feel flushed after use. Several studies acknowledge that the use of saunas is linked to a significant decrease in blood pressure. The studies also show that the use of far infrared saunas is linked with beneficial effects on several chronic conditions including stoic hypertension.

Congestive Heart Failure

According to a study published by the University of Columbia, Department of Family Practice, the use of infrared saunas can help reduce chronic pain, keep blood pressure within target levels, lower chronic pain and be of value to people suffering from CHD (chronic congestive heart disease).

The Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society published a study that shows that the use of infrared saunas helps reduce heart arrhythmias as well as the symptoms of heart failure particularly in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Since infrared sauna therapy is commonly associated with stress relief, reduced weight, and a decrease in blood pressure, it is also considered a heart health booster. Researchers in Finland investigating the benefits of infrared saunas for heart health found that frequent use of saunas helped decrease the risk of death from stroke and cardiovascular disease. Men averaging 7 visits per week for 14 minutes per visit had lower mortality rates.

Another study investigating the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and the use of infrared saunas found that IST (infrared sauna therapy) helped provide improvement for people with risk factors for heart conditions such as atherosclerosis.

Headache and Fatigue

A few minutes in an infrared sauna helps users feel renewed, relaxed, and rejuvenated. Many users actually comment on the relaxed feeling the gentle warmth provides and they actually look forward to their next infrared sauna session. Infrared saunas provide an excellent time for users to relax without interference. It’s just like going to a spa. Infrared saunas affect users’ autonomic nervous system by putting them in a rest and digest (parasympathetic) state, which allows the body to restore and heal itself.

People who have used infrared saunas often attest to the fact that they spend in a quiet and comfortable space, away from cell phones and computers encouraging healthy mindfulness practices such as deep breathing and meditation, which are essential for restorative body processes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Research shows that infrared sauna sessions aid ad and support people with diabetes, largely because it decreases a multitude of side effects. These benefits include:

Internal organ cleanse
Improved circulation
Infrared resonance
Toxic elimination

Moreover, according to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, regular use of infrared saunas has a similar impact on the user’s cardiovascular system as physical activities such as running and swimming. The gentle heat of infrared saunas has been shown to offer benefits such as the body producing sweat, burning calories, and pumping blood.

This is also known as a “passive aerobic workout” because the body is not stressed in the same manner as a normal workout but it still receives all these benefits. Your body is in parasympathetic mode and is more relaxed during the entire infrared sauna session.

As your body increases sweat production in a bid to cool itself, the heart pumps harder while boosting circulation even to the extremities. An increase in metabolism helps burn more calories hence encouraging weight loss. Studies show that a 25 to 30-minute session burns 300 to 800 calories.

Obesity is one of the risk factors for diabetes. Weight loss is one of the main benefits cited by many infrared sauna users. Moderately conditioned sauna users can sweat off up to 500 grams, consuming about 300 kcal. This is equivalent to running approximately 3 miles. Moreover, supporting data heat-conditioned users can sweat off up to 800 kcal without any adverse effect. However, according to some published reviews, thermoregulatory homeostasis imparts a cardiovascular demand that is similar to walking at a fast pace. Therefore, infrared saunas might be of benefit to people who have a sedentary lifestyle due to medical conditions such as osteoarthritis or respiratory or cardiovascular problems.

Joint Pain and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Too much exercise can take a toll on anyone. The benefits of IST (infrared sauna therapy) include relieving soreness, stiffness, and inflammation by improving blood circulation. The deep penetrating heat also relaxes muscles and allows blood to deliver oxygen-rich blood while carrying off metabolic waste products for faster recovery.

The infrared waves also help warm muscles for a greater range of motion and flexibility, while helping relieve pain and muscle tension. Moreover, studies show that time spent in infrared saunas brings relief to rheumatoid arthritis.

Moreover, heat is effective in the treatment of muscle spasms, sprains, bursitis, joint stiffness, bursitis, and other musculoskeletal ailments. Studies show that regular use of infrared saunas can lessen much of the aches, pain, and stiffness that come with arthritis and aging.

Immune System Support

Infrared saunas produce penetrating wavelengths that raise the core body temperature thus creating an artificial fever. The fever helps the body accelerate and strengthen the immune system, as seen in cases of infection. This reaction helps strengthen the immune system, and when combined with other benefits such as improved elimination of wastes and toxins via intense sweating, it helps increase resistance to disease and overall health.

The bottom line

It is particularly important to understand that there are different types of infrared saunas. Different infrared saunas have different outputs of infrared waves. Therefore, it’s vital to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

In the studies published on the use of infrared saunas, none have reported any adverse effects. However, it’s recommended that kids and pregnant women avoid using infrared saunas for now. Lactating mothers should also proceed with caution as harmful agents have the potential to contaminate breast milk. Moreover, elderly people who have underlying medical conditions may want to avoid sauna therapy due to a higher risk of dehydration. People who have skin conditions such as rosacea that might be exacerbated by infrared sauna sessions (either traditional or infrared), may want to avoid the practice altogether.

Studies suggest that infrared sauna therapy may have a wide range of health benefits; from post-exercise recovery to pain relief to improved heart health. However, in order to confirm results and fully understand the benefits and risks of infrared sauna therapy larger clinical studies need to be conducted.

Read how infrared saunas can help with COVID-19 HERE!

Fight COVID-19 with Infrared Sauna Therapy

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Coronaviruses are a group of common viruses that cause infection in the nose, upper throat and sinuses. Most coronaviruses are not dangerous. After the December 2019 outbreak in Wuhan, China, the WHO (World Health Organization) identified COVID-19 as a new kind of coronavirus. The disease has since spread to most parts of the world and in March 2020 the WHO declared the outbreak a pandemic.

COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus and it usually triggers what doctors call respiratory tract infection. The disease can affect the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, and sinuses) or lower respiratory tract (lungs and windpipe), or both. COVID-19 is spread the same way other viruses in its family are spread, primarily through contact with an infected person (person-to-person contact). Severity of the infection ranges from mild to deadly.

COVID-19 belongs to the same group of viruses that cause severe diseases such as SARS (sudden acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). The other types of coronavirus cause most of the common colds which are not a serious threat to healthy people.

How does COVID-19 spread?

According to studies conducted since the outbreak started, the new coronavirus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets released when an infected person sneezes, talks, or coughs. It can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces or through person-to-person contact, which is why social distancing is important in curbing the spread.

How did COVID-19 spread to humans?

Although health experts have not yet traced the exact source of the new coronavirus, the initial hypothesis thought the disease was linked to a live animal market in Wuhan, China.

However, a study that was published on Jan 25, 2020 shows that the person with the first reported COVID-19 case had no links to the live animal market and investigations are still ongoing to establish the origin of this new virus and how it’s spread.

What is the Incubation period for the new coronavirus?

Studies show that COVID-19 symptoms show up in people 2 to 14 days after exposure.

What are COVID-19 symptoms?

COVID-19 has an incubation period of 2 to 14 days, which means signs and symptoms of the disease appear within 14 days of exposure. Common signs and symptoms of the new coronavirus include:

Tiredness
Fever
Cough

Early symptoms of coronavirus may also include loss of smell or taste

Other symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Chest pain
Headache
Runny nose
Chills
Sore throat
Muscle aches
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
rash

Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the disease. Children experience similar signs and symptoms to adult patients though they are generally mild.

Severity of coronavirus signs and symptoms range from mild to very severe. Some patients may experience only a few symptoms that don’t require specialized care while others may experience deadly symptoms, such as pneumonia and shortness of breath, about 7 days after symptoms appear.

The risk of serious illness from coronavirus generally increases with age and older folks have a higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms. Moreover, people with compromised immune system and those with pre-existing medical conditions have a higher risk of experiencing serious illness.

Medical conditions that can increase the risk of severe illness from coronavirus include:

Cancer
Serious heart conditions, such as cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, or heart failure
Type 2 diabetes
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Severe obesity
Chronic kidney disease
Weakened immune system from procedures such as solid organ transplant

Other medical conditions may increase the risk of severe illness, such as:

Liver disease
Asthma
Nervous system and brain conditions
Cystic fibrosis and other chronic lung diseases
Type 1 diabetes
Compromised immune system from HIV, bone marrow transplant or some medications
High blood pressure

It’s essential to note that this list is not all-inclusive and other medical conditions can also increase the risk of serious illness from coronavirus.

When should you see a doctor?

If you have been in contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19contact your healthcare provider immediately for medical advice. Tell them about possible exposure and your symptoms before going for your appointment.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Emergency symptoms include:

Blue face or lips
Trouble breathing
Inability to stay awake
Persistent chest pressure or pain
Confusion

When seeking medical attention for COVID-19, it’s critical to let your physician know if you have any underlying chronic medical conditions, such as lung disease or heart disease. During this pandemic, it is very important to ensure that quality health care is readily available for people in greatest need.

COVID-19 Complications

Most people who have COVID-19 usually have mild or moderate symptoms. However, the disease can also cause severe complications or even lead to death in some individuals. Complications caused by COVID-19 can include:

Trouble breathing or pneumonia
Heart problems
Acute kidney injury
Organ failure in multiple organs
Blood clots
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (a lung condition that limits the supply of oxygen to organs through the bloodstream).
Additional bacterial and viral infections

Prevention

There’s no vaccine to prevent coronavirus. However, there are several preventative measures you can take to reduce the risk of infection. CDC and WHO recommend taking the following precautionary measures to avoid COVID-19.

Avoid mass gathering and large events
Maintain a physical distance of at least 2 meters or 6 feet with anyone who has symptoms or is sick
Stay at home whenever possible and maintain the recommended social distance especially if you are at a higher risk of severe illness. Remember, some people who have COVID-19 may not have any symptoms but they can still spread it to others.
Wash your hands regularly with water and soap for at least 20 seconds. If you prefer using a hand sanitizer, use one that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a face mask when in public places, such as the supermarket, it is difficult to adhere to the recommended physical distancing guidelines.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you sneeze or cough and throw away the tissue. Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands immediately.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
Avoid sharing house hold items such as towels, beddings, dishes or glasses if you’re sick.
Stay home from public areas, school and work if you’re sick, unless you are going to seek medical care.
Clean and disinfect common-touch surfaces such as counter tops, electronics, doorknobs and light switches, daily.
If you’re sick, avoid taxis, public transportation and ride sharing.

A strong immune system is also important when it comes to warding off the flu, seasonal colds, as well as COVID-19.

Tips on how to Improve General Immune System Health

Reduce stress

This period of lockdowns and economic strain is stressful for us all. However, it’s essential to understand that stress increases the risk of infections such as colds and flu by suppressing the immune response. Reducing your stress improves the immune system’s ability to ward off infections, hence lowering your risk for illness. Some of the scientifically proven stress reducers include infrared sauna therapy, deep breathing, massage and exercise, such as jogging, walking and yoga. Infrared sauna therapy reduces stress by reducing post-exercise cortisol, which mitigates immune suppression caused by stress.

Improve sleep

Studies show that deep sleep builds the antiviral immune system, so it’s important to increase deep sleep especially during winter months. During winter, sunlight is dimmer and the days are shorter, and this could easily throw off your sleep schedule. Most people hardly notice it because they still sleep and go to work on the same schedule. However, they may experience more frequent colds, fatigue, and changes in mood partly because they’re not actually sleeping as deeply. The steep drop in your body temperature cues your body to sleep. Therefore, using an infrared sauna in the evening helps you relax and also raises your core body temperature before allowing it to drop naturally, thus improving sleep quality.

Adhere to a healthy diet

Eating well is one of the best defenses against diseases. Choose healthy fats, fresh vegetables and fruits, and beverages such as green tea and water. Avoid sugary drinks and snack foods because they are filled with calories and fat and have very little nutritional value. Even with a healthy diet, some health conditions may impair the body’s ability to absorb these nutrients.

Consult your nutritionist to determine whether it’s necessary to take supplements that will help your body fight infections. Some of the most common dietary supplements include zinc, vitamin C, Echinacea, and goldenseal. According to the CDC, a healthy diet can help ward off infections such as colds, flu, and even COVID-19.

Frequent infrared sauna therapy.

Infrared sauna therapy stimulates your circulatory systems causing your blood vessels to dilate as the heart beats faster. This effect cleanses the circulatory system allowing it to supply more fully oxygenated blood to the body’s cells. Moreover, better circulation stimulates the body to get rid of toxins through sweating as the body’s core temperature rises. Raising the body’s core temperature strengthens the immune system and aids in muscle recovery.

Studies show that increasing the core body temperature through regular infrared sauna uses provides numerous benefits, including T-cell and white blood cell production to fight viruses. An Australian study found that people who regularly use infrared saunas have fewer episodes of colds than people who don’t.

Although there’s no treatment for COVID-19, improving your immune system, washing your hands regularly, trying not to touch your nose, eyes, and mouth, and avoiding people who have flu-like symptoms are some of the best ways to avoid COVID-19 as well as other illnesses.

The History of Color Light Therapy

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What is Color Light Therapy?

Color light therapy (chromotherapy) is a treatment method that uses colors (the visible spectrum) of electromagnetic radiation to help cure diseases. This centuries-old concept has been used successfully to cure various ailments. The scientific evolution of color light therapy has been well-documented over the years, especially since the early 1900’s to date.

Sufficient data can be found about color light therapy that provides a system of treatment mainly focused on the healing characteristics and treatment methodologies of colors. Numerous studies have explored the relationship between colors and the human body.

Each color elicits different bodily responses while providing different benefits, from physical to emotional heath. Many modern wellness treatments and modern spas today use chromotherapy to help users achieve wellness, but do you know the history behind this practice?

Numerous ancient cultures recognized the numerous healing powers of color and light, paving the way to the modern wellness practices we enjoy today.

Ancient times Color Light Therapy

The use of color light therapy has been documented as far back as ancient Egypt. Nature was a very important aspect of the culture of ancient Egyptians, prompting their use of light and color in many aspects of life, including ancient healing practices. Ancient Egyptians also associated colors with gods. They strongly believed that shining light through a colored crystal could penetrate the human body and help treat various ailments. They built different rooms for individual colors in a bid to concentrate their powers. According to studies, ancient Egypt was one of the first ancient civilizations to use color therapy for healing. Some examples of the use of phototherapy, light therapy, or color therapy in ancient Egypt:

White: Simplicity, sacredness, purity, cleanliness
Blue: Heavenly, water, hair of gods
Greed: Life, protection, healing, joy, well-being, life
Gold: Eternal, perfection, indestructible, flesh of gods
Black: Regeneration, fertility, life
Red: Destruction, chaos, life, protection

Reference to light therapy and color therapy can also be found in ancient Indian and Chinese texts. The Babylonians, Egyptians and Assyrians all practiced sun bathing. For instance the city of Heliopolis (Greek for ‘City of the Sun’) was famous for its light rooms and healing temples where windows were covered with dyed clothes and different colors were believed to possess different healing properties.

Modern Color Light Therapy

Modern study of color and light is largely attributed to the contributions made by Isaac Newton. His experiments which were published in 1672 explained the concept of refraction which changed how we view the relationship between color and light.

Then in 1810, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe shared his discoveries on how light and color affects our physiological conditions and psychological perceptions. In the late 1800’s Dr. Edwin D. Babbitt and Seth Pancoast became interested in chromotherapy and eventually published findings from their studies. Although these studies may not have been entirely accurate, they paved the way to discovering how we can incorporate ancient color light therapy practices into modern lives.

1870’s

Augustus Pleasanton discovered that blue light can be used to stimulate the nervous system and sensory glands. He used blue light to effectively treat various ailments that are commonly accompanied by pain.

1890’s

Researchers discovered that ultra-violet light has a strong anti-bacterial action. During this period, Neils Ryberg Finsen used red-light therapy to help cure small pox. He was also recognized for his experiments where he used red-light therapy to help cure lupus. He was also awarded the Nobel Prize for discovering that ultra-violet light could be used to treat skin tuberculosis.

1900’s

Researcher Dinshah Ghadiali creates the Spectro-Chrome system after 23 years of scientific evaluation. The system was based on the strong relationship between specific areas of the human body and different colors.

1920’s

After using Dinshah’s methods for 37 years in medicine and surgery, Dr. Kate Baldwin affirmed that more accurate and quicker results could be achieved with colors that with other available methods combined.

Dr. Harry Riley Spitler, who is considered the father of color light therapy, developed the Syntonics Principles in which he used light to balance the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

1930’s

London’s Charing Cross Hospital used sun-lamps to treat anaemia, heart disease, degenerative disorders, varicose veins and circulatory diseases.

1940’s

Emmitt Knott created a haemoirradiation machine which irradiated blood with ultraviolet light to help treat encephalitis, herpes simplex, polio, puerperal sepsis and peritonitis with success rates of 50 to 80 percent.

Post World War II

With the arrival of the pharmaceutical industry, antibiotics and ‘clinical trials’, treatment methods such as naturopathy, light therapy and homeopathy became suspect because they couldn’t be supported by ‘scientific facts’. However, the medical field started changing in the 1970’s largely due to some revolutionary work by scientists such as Alfred Popp and John Ott, and others.

1970’s and 80’s

John Ott proved that different light wavelengths have specific effects on cellular function in animals and plants. In the early 1970’s he was involved in developing the first ‘full spectrum’ fluorescent tube which significantly improved academic performance and behavior in children. German biophysicists demonstrated that cells emit light impulses and that light in the human body may determine illness and health.

1990’s

NASA applied the use of LED-based light therapy for healing injuries in astronauts. Prof. Kira Samoilova developed the idea of haemo-irradiation which was found to be effective for various ailments such as oncologic diseases, infections, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune, cardiovascular, and dermatologic diseases, as well as intoxications, traumas, burns, and ulcers. They also developed other treatment methods that are now commonly used for treating ulcers, viral pneumonia, as well as detoxification of substance addicts.

2000’s

In 2002, the US FDA approved blue light therapy for treating acne.

The bottom-line

Today, you can find various services and products boasting the numerous healing benefits of color light therapy. As we gradually take control of our wellness, we are becoming more in tune with ancient practices that were successful for our predecessors.

Whether it is simple treatment with LED lights or saunas with chromotherapy lighting, there are numerous benefits we can reap from simply incorporating color light therapy into our everyday lives.

What is an Infrared Sauna?

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An infrared sauna, also known as a far-infrared sauna is a sauna that uses light to produce heat which in turn warms the body. Unlike traditional saunas that use heat to warm the air, infrared saunas heat the body without warming the air around it.

One of the main appeals of a sauna is that it elicits reactions similar to those caused by moderate exercise, including increased heart rate and vigorous sweating. Infrared saunas produce these results at significantly lower temperatures compared to regular saunas. This makes infrared saunas accessible and convenient for people who cannot tolerate the heat of regular saunas.

Can Infrared Sauna help disease?

Numerous studies have looked at the use of infrared saunas particularly in the treatment of various chronic health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, headache, and Alzheimer’s disease, and found some tangible evidence of benefit. Still, more rigorous and larger studies should be conducted to confirm these results. However, researchers have not found any adverse effects with infrared saunas.

How does an infrared sauna work?

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For many people, the mention of saunas conjures memories of claustrophobic, unpleasant, and hot spaces. While this might be true for regular or traditional saunas, infrared saunas are revolutionizing the experience providing an enjoyable way to get numerous health benefits. IST (infrared sauna therapy) can be a great addition to your self-care routine especially when you are unable to work out.

Infrared heat raises body temperature directly with infrared heat. They create a relaxing and warm environment at temperatures ranging between 100ºF to 130ºF, and the heat penetrates the body directly to raise its core temperature gently.

They mimic a natural sequence that is typically triggered by exercise or activity, and it helps detoxify the body through the process of sweating. Far infrared rays are easily absorbed by the body, stimulating the immune, lymphatic and cardiovascular systems and also help get rid of toxins without the harmful waves that come along with natural rays of the sun.

Guide on how to use an infrared sauna

While using an infrared sauna can provide numerous health benefits, it’s important to understand usage guidelines such as infrared sauna time limits as well as other tips for your session.

Warm up the sauna

For infrared saunas, the recommended temperature ranges between 100 and 140 degrees. For beginners, especially people who aren’t in good health, they may want to start at 100ºF or less. This allows the body to get used to the heat.

You can get in the sauna 10 to 15 minutes after turning it on. Once the temperature is up to your target range, you’ll be enjoying the effects of direct infrared heat.

Stay hydrated

In addition to drinking water before you get in an infrared sauna, you can also bring some water with you. This is one of the most important steps as the body will sweat and lose water as well as toxins in the process. Sports electrolyte drinks or coconut water are other good drinks you can take into the infrared sauna with you.

Bring a towel

You’ll need a small towel to wipe down the sweat and another one to sit on in the sauna. Your body will be sweating as it rid of heavy metals and other toxins, and you don’t want the floor or sauna bench to be drenched in these.

Wear a minimum of clothes or don’t wear clothing at all, if possible

When your skin is covered in clothes, your body does not cool off effectively because evaporation of sweat on the skin is at the absolute minimum. In addition to your body overheating quickly, you’ll also lose the benefits of constantly wiping away the toxin-loaded sweat. Wiping away the toxin-loaded sweat prevents reabsorption of toxins by ensuring that the toxins don’t remain in contact with the skin.

Relax, socialize, reflect, read a book, or listen to music

You should use your time in the infrared sauna to relax and reflect on the day. Rest your mind and eyes or meditate.

Conclusion

Infrared waves are all around us and are also emitted by our bodies. These waves are essential for life on earth including human life. Infrared rays used in infrared sauna therapy have the same wavelength as the waves emitted by the human body. Therefore, these rays are safe that one of the most commonly used has been in incubators for preemie babies. The application of infrared heat in treating premature babies speaks to the degree of safety of IST as well as its healing benefits.

Read how infrared saunas can help with COVID – 19 HERE!