The Top 14 Amazing Health Benefits Of Infrared Saunas
Do you want to learn about the benefits of infrared sauna? Keep reading to learn more!
Did you know there are countless health benefits of infrared saunas? Just by sitting in an infrared sauna and sweating, you can become a healthier version of yourself! It doesn’t get much easier than that! In this article, we will walk you through all of the top benefits of infrared saunas and some tips for getting started.
If you want to have your own infrared sauna, check out Therasage. Therasage has the best portable infrared sauna at an affordable price.
Benefits of Infrared Saunas
Detoxification
We are exposed to countless toxic chemicals every day. From make-up products, to plastic tupperware, to pollution – these toxins are impossible to avoid. These toxins are foreign to our bodies. When they enter our body, our body does not recognize them and they end up being stored in our fat to protect our organs. While it is impossible to avoid all toxins, we can lessen our toxin burden and detox our bodies of these chemicals. Toxins have been proven to be excreted via sweat. Infrared saunas can help you to sweat and excrete toxins via sweating.
Decrease inflammation
Inflammation is the root cause of many chronic illnesses and diseases. Infrared saunas can help decrease inflammation by hyper-oxygenating the blood cells causing optimal circulation throughout the body’s network. Additionally, infrared saunas coax the body into a relaxation state.
Improved circulation
According to Dr. Amy Meyers, “as the heat from an infrared sauna increases your core body temperature, your blood vessels constrict and allows for healthy blood flow. Consistent infrared sauna sessions can cause your blood vessels to dilate. The volume of their inner lining reduces, which in turn increases the circulation needed to maintain healthy blood pressure. This reaction is similar to the way your body responds to low or moderate exercise. By raising your heart rate and increasing your circulation, infrared saunas replicate a cardiovascular workout. Since your heart is a muscle, each workout makes it stronger, and helps it deliver more oxygen to your body’s cells.”
Relieve pain
In general, heat is great for pain relief. You may even reach for a heating pad to relieve pain on occasion. An infrared sauna works similarly. Infrared lights penetrate into your joints, muscles, and tissues. The penetration of infrared lights helps to promote blood flow and circulation, thus relieving pain.
Burn calories and may assist in weight loss
A 30-minute infrared sauna session can burn up to 600 calories. Sitting and sweating in an infrared sauna causes your heart rate to increase. This also happens when you exercise. Similar to exercise, infrared sauna sessions can help your body burn calories and support weight loss.
Sleep better
Infrared sauna sessions promote relaxation by helping to balance your body’s cortisol. The infrared sauna heat helps to relax your muscles and relieve tension and stress in your body. This, in turn, helps you sleep. Infrared saunas also use red lights, which causes your body to produce melatonin.
Immune enhancement and promote overall health and wellness
Infrared saunas use penetrating infrared wavelengths to raise the core body temperature, inducing an artificial fever. A fever is the body’s way to strengthen and accelerate the immune response. This is often seen in the case of infection. Therefore, infrared saunas enhance the immune system.
Additionally, saunas have been proven to significantly increase cellular resistance to stress, including viral infections. According to High Tech Health, “when our cells are exposed to heat, they increase their levels of proteins called heat shock proteins, which increase the resistance of the cells to many types of stressors including heat, low oxygen, oxidative stress, toxicant exposure, and infection. Heat shock proteins have also been shown to have key roles in the immune response and boosting immunity. They have been shown to activate antigen-presenting cells, the cells that present viral proteins to our white blood cells to initiate an immune response. Heat shock proteins can interact directly with viruses and regulate their entry into cells and viral replication. Finally, heat has been shown to have a direct stimulatory effect on immune cells.”
Mitochondria support and enhanced energy
According to JNH Lifestyles, “infrared therapy has a great impact on mitochondria since this heat and light therapy activates the mitochondria’s function as a detoxifier, repairer, and regenerator. An infrared sauna can trigger the cytochrome oxidase photoreceptor enzyme in the body’s mitochondria.”
Increased natural nitric oxide and redox molecule production
According to Athletic Sports Medicine, “infrared sauna therapy enhances your body’s function by increasing circulation and reducing inflammation by increasing the release of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide enhances blood flow bringing oxygen and nutrients to your aching muscles and tissues to promote healing which reduces pain and inflammation.”
Stress and fatigue reduction
Infrared saunas have been proven to affect the autonomic nervous system by putting you into a parasympathetic state. The parasympathetic state is also known as rest and digest. Getting your body into this state allows you to heal and restore, therefore reducing your stress and fatigue.
Improve mood
According to High Tech Health, “infrared sauna use benefits brain cell health and mental health. Not only have far infrared saunas been shown to improve mood, but one large study found that frequent sauna users had a significantly lower incidence of dementia compared to non-sauna users.”
Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman has completed two studies in which he studied the effects of an infrared sauna on individuals with major depressive disorder. He found that whole-body hyperthermia holds promise as a safe, rapid-acting, antidepressant treatment with a prolonged therapeutic benefit.
There have also been studies on how sauna sessions have reduced depression in cancer patients and how sweating increases mental satisfaction and energy.
Longevity
When using an infrared sauna, our heat shock proteins are activated. These proteins protect our cells from damage, prolong the life of our cells, and may contribute to longevity and optimal health as we age. Additionally, sauna sessions are good for cardiovascular health, which can contribute to longevity.
Skin benefits
Infrared sauna sessions can help with skin aging, the appearance of cellulite, collagen production, reduction of wrinkles, wound healing, and more! Normal sweat production has also been shown to have anti-aging effects.
Fitness benefits
Infrared saunas increase exercise tolerance, speed muscle recovery, and promote muscle growth. When pairing infrared saunas with workouts, many individuals have also been found to have faster recovery times.
Infrared Sauna Tips
Low and Slow
The golden rule for using an infrared sauna is to start low and slow. This means starting at a low temperature for a short period of time. For example, start at 115 degrees for 10 minutes. Starting low and slow allows your body to gradually get used to the infrared heat.
Properly Hydrate
Properly hydrating is so important when it comes to infrared sauna use. You should drink water before you get in an infrared sauna and you should replenish your electrolytes as soon as you get out. Redmond Re-Lyte is a great electrolyte choice.
Related: The Importance of Hydration
Take Binders
Binders are substances, like activated charcoal, that mobilize and bind to toxins, helping to remove them from the body. Always take binders when you use an infrared sauna. When you sweat in an infrared sauna, your body is going to be releasing toxins. You want to make sure that your body actually gets rid of them, rather than reabsorbing the toxins. The best way to make sure your body gets rid of those toxins is to take a binder. Before your infrared sauna session, take a natural binder, such as activated charcoal.
Where To Find A Sauna
If you want to start using an infrared sauna, you may be wondering where you can find a sauna.
Purchase A Small Portable Sauna For Your Home
If you are going to use a sauna regularly, you may want to consider purchasing a portable sauna for your home. If you will be using it a few times per week, it is likely cheaper to purchase one, rather than paying to use one at a local gym/spa. For more information, check out our guide to the best portable saunas.
Find A Local Gym Or Spa
You can also look at your local gyms or spas to find somewhere to use an infrared sauna. Do a Google search in your area to check out the pricing and options available for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an infrared sauna do for your body?
The benefits of an infrared sauna include: detoxification, decrease inflammation, increase circulation, relieve pain, burn calories, sleep better, immune enhancement, promote overall health and wellness, stress and fatigue reduction, improve mood and anti-aging benefits.
How often should you use an infrared sauna?
Like most things, the more often you use an infrared sauna, the more benefits you will see. Start low and slow and work your way up. You can start using an infrared sauna 3-4 days per week. If you are healthy and can use the sauna with no adverse effects 4 days per week, you can move up to daily sauna sessions.
What’s the difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna?
A traditional steam sauna heats the air in the sauna and an infrared sauna uses light to directly heat your body.
Should you shower after an infrared sauna?
Yes. It is important to shower after an infrared sauna to remove sweat. If you sweat out toxins and do not shower, the toxins may be reabsorbed into your skin.
Bottom Line
Whether you are looking to heal your body, increase your longevity or simply sweat – everyone can see benefits from using an infrared sauna. Check out Therasage’s affordable infrared sauna!
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