Benefits of Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas are becoming popular for a relaxing, therapeutic experience. Infrared saunas use heat to penetrate your body in a way that offers many health benefits. Infrared light can heat the body directly rather than just the air around you.
This section will discuss the many benefits that come with using an infrared sauna:
Detoxification
Detoxification, or removing toxins from the body, is one of the most significant benefits of infrared sauna use. A 20-minute infrared sauna session can cause a sweat of 20% toxins such as sodium, alcohol, ammonia, and cholesterol. Toxins are stored in fat cells, broken down during exercise, and with increased perspiration resulting from sauna use. Additionally, infrared therapy increases blood circulation and metabolism, aiding in elimination.
Using an infrared sauna can help naturally release the accumulated toxins in your body.
Pain Relief
Infrared saunas can be beneficial for those looking for nontraditional pain relief. The infrared light radiating from the walls of these saunas penetrates the skin deeply and can help reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and joint pain. It’s also possible to achieve a calming, therapeutic effect from being in an infrared sauna that helps provide an overall sense of well-being.
When heated up, infrared light stimulates blood flow, which increases circulation; this helps improve oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout your body and flush out toxins through sweat. This process makes deep tissue healing and repair possible by boosting natural health and mobilizing forces like endorphins and other feel-good hormones within your body. In addition to helping with physical pain relief, infrared saunas can also provide mental rejuvenation when people relax while using them – clearing their minds of everyday stressors.
In short, infrared sauna use has been shown to:
- Increase healing speed via increased circulation on the cellular level;
- Promote healthy lymphatic system function through sweating;
- Relieve muscle tension and joint pain;
- Reduce inflammation in areas of discomfort;
- Increase endorphin levels for better moods and overall well-being;
- Improve the quality of sleep; and
- Provide a calming environment conducive to relaxation.
Improved Circulation
The heat produced by the infrared sauna penetrates much deeper into the body than traditional saunas, up to two inches below the skin. As a result, it helps to improve circulation throughout the body. Increasing blood circulation helps oxygen and essential nutrient delivery while increasing toxin release from cells, which then moves to other organs, such as the lungs and liver, for further processing and excretion.
An infrared sauna session can also improve overall athletic performance by decreasing muscle fatigue and delayed onset muscle soreness. When the body can relax, it helps to accelerate post-workout recovery time. Additionally, improved circulation can reduce inflammation, leading to pain in different areas of your body.
Preparing for Your Infrared Sauna Session
An infrared sauna session can provide many health and relaxation benefits. However, preparing before you start properly is vital to get the most out of your session. This section will discuss how to prepare for your session, including the best ways to set up the sauna, what to wear, and how to ensure you’re comfortable.
- How to set up the sauna.
- What to wear.
- How to make sure you’re comfortable.
Ensure the Room is Set Up Properly
Before beginning your infrared sauna session, it’s important to make sure your room is set up properly. Begin by keeping a window or two open by ensuring the room’s temperature is comfortable and fresh air is getting in. This will help keep the temperature around 75°F (24°C)-85°F (29°C).
Additionally, installing an oxygen replenishing system, such as a fan or air filter, can help improve air quality and reduce the risk of breathing in any airborne toxins produced during the sauna session.
Once you have determined that the room is suitable for use, prepare everything you plan on using during your sauna session on a towel or mat. It includes a robe and a water bottle for rehydrating after your session.
Before closing the door to your room, once you’re done setting up, ensure there are no items inside that could potentially cause you harm, such as sharp objects or hot surfaces due to inadequate ventilation. Finally, adjust any lighting to ensure it does not bother you while using the infrared sauna.
Following these guidelines and adjusting to individual preferences, you should be ready for an enjoyable, safe infrared sauna experience!
Dress Appropriately
When using an infrared sauna, it is important to dress appropriately. Natural materials such as cotton are ideal for infrared saunas because they do not absorb sweat or feel heavy when wet like synthetic fabrics. Additionally, wearing comfortable clothing that allows the body to move freely is important. For example, a swimsuit, light dry-fit tank top, or loose workout shorts would all be appropriate.
It is vital to avoid any jewelry which could become uncomfortable when heated and potentially cause burns on the skin. Lastly, bringing a towel into the sauna is beneficial to wipe away sweat during your session and keep your face and body cool.
Hydrate
To get the most out of your infrared sauna session, drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sauna use. Dehydration can significantly reduce the benefits of infrared sauna use.
Before beginning your session, drink at least 20 ounces of water to ensure your body is adequately hydrated. Then, during your session, take 20-ounce breaks in between each 15-minute segment to rehydrate.
After finishing your sauna session, it’s important to continue hydrating for the remainder of the day. Since infrared heat has been proven to accelerate heart rate and oxygen intake, it is wise to increase hydration levels after using an infrared sauna – even if you feel like you haven’t worked out as hard as when exercising in a conventional gym or on a pitch track outside. In addition, avoiding alcohol and any caffeinated beverages before using a sauna can help improve the effectiveness of our session by ensuring we are properly hydrated.
During Your Session
When using an infrared sauna, it’s important to remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Your session should last approximately 15-30 minutes, depending on the model of your sauna. You should start your session at the lowest temperature setting and increase the temperature slowly as your body adjusts to the sauna heat. Additionally, it’s important to remember to step out of the sauna and check your body temperature during your session, as it can rise quickly.
Let’s look at some tips for having the best possible sauna experience:
Prepare Your Mind and Body
Preparing your mind and body is essential when starting your infrared sauna session. Take a few moments before entering the sauna to set an intention for your session, quiet your mind, and focus on the benefits you expect.
When in an infrared sauna, plan to keep the temperature between 120-150 degrees Fahrenheit – temperatures higher than this can be dangerous, so be sure to monitor it closely. Wear light clothing during your session or nothing at all! Your time in the sauna should never be uncomfortable, so always ensure you work at a comfortable intensity level. Drink plenty of water throughout your session, as you will sweat a lot.
Listen closely to your body and rest as needed throughout your infrared sauna session. Listen for signs such as increased heart rate, flushed skin, and feeling dizzy or faint – if any signs arise, you should step out immediately and cool down. Most sessions should last no more than 30-45 minutes, so split up longer sessions over multiple days. After stepping out of the sauna, take some time to recharge with The Vitamin C IV Drip room or relax in The Oxygen Bar post-session!
Start with a Low Temperature
Starting with a low temperature, such as 110°F–130°F (43°C–55°C), is recommended for your first few sessions, as direct infrared exposure can be intense. After that, you should check in to see how you tolerate the heat and adjust the temperature accordingly. If you are new to infrared sauna therapy, it’s a good idea to take it gradually to become familiar with and acclimate to the process.
I recommend slowly increasing your session temperature to 140°F (60°C) throughout a few sessions until you find your comfort level and sweet spot. Then, as you get used to spending time in the sauna, you can increase your highest session temperature further up to 150°F–160°F (65–71 °C) if desired. The key is monitoring how your body is feeling before, during, and after each session:
- Take rests between heat sessions if needed.
Breathe Deeply
During your infrared sauna session, it is important to breathe deeply and mindfully. Taking deep, slow breaths in and out can reduce stress, help with relaxation, and boost your overall well-being. If you struggle with meditation or helping yourself to relax, focusing on your breathing can be an incredibly helpful tool.
Breathing deeply helps bring oxygen into all levels of the body and remove toxins from the system. As the heat gets absorbed through your body from the infrared radiation produced by the heating elements in the sauna, toxins that are stored in fat cells will be released into your bloodstream; this is why it’s important to breathe deeply throughout the session to carry those toxins out of your body with each breath.
Beyond detoxification, there have been studies conducted using thermal imaging that demonstrate when a person takes deeper breaths with greater volume in comparison to shallow breaths, their cardiovascular system expands more, signifying improved cardiovascular performance with an overall benefit for the cardiovascular system after consistent use of the infrared sauna rooms over time. In addition, taking deeper breaths during infrared sauna use has been shown to help increase T-cell production within white blood cells, thus helping bolster a person’s immune system while enjoying their infrared heat session.
After Your Session
After a session in an infrared sauna, it is essential to cool down the body and rehydrate. Doing so will help improve the quality of the sauna experience and your overall health and well-being. Here are some tips on what you should do after a session in an infrared sauna:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
- Eat a healthy snack.
- Rest for a few minutes.
- Stretch and do light exercises.
Drink Plenty of Water
After your Infrared sauna session, it is important to drink plenty of water. Water helps your body to eliminate toxins that are released by the heat of the infrared sauna. The amount of water needed will depend on the length and intensity of your session, but generally, you should aim for two to four glasses throughout the day following your sauna treatment. Keep an extra glass or bottle at work or in your car to ensure you’re regularly hydrated before, during, and after your sauna sessions.
Additionally, replenishing electrolytes can help as they can be lost through sweating. Coconut water is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an electrolyte supplement!
Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
After your session, avoiding substances that could counter the beneficial effects of infrared sauna therapy is important. Caffeine and alcohol, for example, can cause dehydration. As a result of being in the sauna, your body has already lost additional water and electrolytes from perspiration. Therefore, consuming caffeine or alcohol can rapidly lose body fluids, making you feel sick. Additionally, caffeine stimulates the nervous system and could make it more difficult for you to relax or enjoy the immediate benefits of your session, including skin hydration and improved sleep.
It is also recommended that you give yourself at least 24 hours before embarking on another sauna session To allow your body to recover properly. After your time in the sauna, replenish fluids by drinking plenty of water and eating healthy food with high amounts of electrolytes, such as fruit. Allowing yourself time outside the sauna helps ensure that your body utilizes light-heat benefits entirely and efficiently.
Allow for Proper Cool-down Time
After your infrared sauna session, allowing your body to cool down properly is essential. Allow a few minutes for the temperature to stabilize before exiting the cabin, and ensure you leave cautiously. Do not forget to take a slow and measured approach when getting up from lying down. It is also important to drink plenty of water after your session, as heat therapy can cause dehydration, so make sure that you replenish fluids immediately after your session.
Failing to cool down and rehydrate properly after an infrared sauna can lead to dizziness or feeling faint. Ensure you take proper protocols by listening carefully to your body; if you feel lightheaded or unwell after the session, lie in a cool or air-conditioned area and drink plenty of fluids until you have cooled off and recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an infrared sauna?
An infrared sauna heats the body directly through infrared light waves. It produces the same effects as traditional saunas, such as sweating and relaxation, but at lower temperatures.
2. How do I use an infrared sauna?
First, make sure you are well-hydrated. Enter the sauna and set the timer for your desired session length. Sit comfortably and relax, breathing deeply. After your session, drink water and cool down gradually.
3. How long can I stay in an infrared sauna?
Sessions typically last 20-30 minutes. However, listen to your body and adjust accordingly. If you are new to infrared sauna use, start with shorter sessions and work up.
4. What are the benefits of using an infrared sauna?
Infrared saunas can aid in detoxification, relaxation, weight loss, pain relief, and cardiovascular health. However, consult with your healthcare provider before use.
5. Can anyone use an infrared sauna?
Most people can safely use an infrared sauna. However, those with certain health conditions, such as pregnancy, low blood pressure, and heart conditions, should consult their healthcare provider before use.
6. How should I clean my infrared sauna?
Wipe down the interior and exterior with a clean cloth after each use. Use a gentle cleaner if necessary, but avoid harsh chemicals. Allow the sauna to dry fully before use.