The Healing Powers Of Infrared Saunas: One Man’s Journey
Mark Adams wasn’t too concerned about his annual doctor’s appointment. It was just a routine, run-of-the-mill checkup. Like many others, he used his waiting time to keep up with work and reply to the emails and messages that never stopped coming.
Then the doctor spoke two words that changed his life: heart disease.
The following conversation became a blur of words nobody wants to hear: high blood pressure, medication, tests, insurance, heart attack risk, danger.
"Heart disease" the doctor told him, "is the leading cause of death in America. If you don't start taking care of your body, you’re headed for serious trouble."
It was time for a change.
Mark got the hint: he started working out, taking medication, and just tried to take better care of his body. But one thing that ended up making a huge difference was something his wife Anna became interested in after chatting with a friend: an infrared sauna.
Mark was skeptical at first, but Anna insisted.
"This isn't some new fad," she said. "It's one of the oldest forms of natural medicine there is. People have been using saunas for thousands of years. This is just a high-tech version. Instead of pouring water onto rocks to heat the air, as with traditional saunas, infrared saunas use infrared light."
They looked for "infrared sauna near me" and found that they could order a sauna for their own home. There were so many options from built-in infrared saunas to infrared sauna blankets.
Mark gave in and ordered the infrared sauna. Neither he nor Anna had any idea of the impact it would have on their lives.
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Sauna Treatments Lower Blood Pressure
One of Mark's biggest health concerns was his blood pressure. He did have a lot on his plate: a demanding job, a packed schedule, endless to-do lists. But he also hadn’t been taking good care of himself. While adding some exercise into his already-busy schedule helped some, adding infrared sauna sessions into the mix really made a difference.
It didn't take long to see the infrared sauna benefits to his health. His skin looked better. He started losing weight. And he just felt better.
Anna noticed a difference in him. "It's that infrared sauna," she said, smiling.
"It's the gym!" Mark told her.
Actually, it was both.
They ended up doing some research, and found studies proving that infrared saunas could help the body directly in many ways. Not only did sauna sessions reduce blood pressure and lower stress, they also eased sore muscles and helped with detoxification.
Invigorated, Mark started using the infrared sauna three times a week, after his workouts. Not only did his blood pressure drop, he also felt less stiff and sore, and the arthritis that had been creeping into his hands eased.
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Improved Cardiovascular Respiratory Fitness
Mark’s doctor noted an improvement in his cardiovascular respiratory fitness, or CRF, which measures the oxygen the heart and blood delivers to muscles and organs.
“You’re doing something right,” the doctor told him. “I didn’t expect this much of a change.”
“I got an infrared sauna,” Mark said. “My wife told me it would be good for me. I didn’t argue–who doesn’t want a sauna? I knew it would be relaxing, and help with muscle soreness. But I didn't expect the other health benefits."
The doctor chuckled. “The further medicine goes, the more it brings us back. Saunas have been used for 2000 years. People used to give birth in them. But it’s not just old tales.
The high temperatures do bring your heart rate up up to 100 to 150 bpm. That's comparable to a low-to-moderate-level workout ... which is one of the best things you can do for your body. Keep it up!”
Mark hesitated. “I was wondering … is it safe to use the infrared sauna every day?”
The doctor nodded. “It is. The infrared light penetrates the skin deeper than steam. But you know the old adage about too much of a good thing. If you feel dizzy or dehydrated, you may need to scale it back. Too much time can cause low blood pressure, which isn't a concern for you ... yet. The sweet spot seems to be about 3-4 times a week.”
Infrared Saunas Help Improve Sleep
As Mark kept exercising and using the infrared sauna, he also realized that he was sleeping better.
“Your body needs good rest to restore itself,” Anna often told him. “You toss and turn, give in to a late-night food craving, and then you’re tired all day. It’s not doing your metabolism any good, either.”
She was the one who noticed the change.
Because the infrared sauna helped him relax, Mark was no longer sleeping fitfully. He didn’t even mind it when Anna cranked the air conditioner: the lower temperature helped him to relax. Before long, he was falling asleep as soon as he pulled the cover over his head.
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Saunas Reduce Stress
Mark had always found heat relaxing, as many people do. Anna did as well: she had always enjoyed taking a warm shower to relax after a hectic day. She, too, enjoyed infrared sauna session.
Mark had a lightbulb moment after she told him that she felt more relaxed and energized after a good sweat. Taking time to enjoy that soothing infrared heat also helped him unwind and just reset after hectic days at work.
That was when he realized the importance of wellness care, and how the infrared sauna was helping.
An Infrared Sauna Can Help With Weight Loss
After a few months of infrared sauna sessions, Mark only looked better, he felt better. People at work stopped to compliment him and ask him what he was doing differently.
His clothes got looser and looser, and he found that he was not only enjoying his workouts, but craving them.
A few of his friends and co-workers seemed skeptical when he told them that the sauna sessions played a huge role in his weight loss. Others, as it turned out, were long-time sauna fans themselves. “My mother always went to the sauna with her friends,” one said. “She said the same thing about the health benefits of infrared saunas. She insisted that the sweating and the heat was the best self-care treatment around. If she'd had an infrared sauna, she would have used it every day.”
They’re Great For Self Care
As Mark's health and fitness goals, which had once seemed so unattainable, came closer within reach, he realized the infrared sauna had not just improved his health, but also his outlook. He really looked forward to those infrared sauna sessions.
By the time Mark and Anna celebrated their first ‘saunaversary,’ they had both come to realize that the sauna had made a huge difference in their lives, and was benefiting them both mind, body, and soul.
They even had a new favorite thing: they would pull up their favorite songs on the integrated Bluetooth speaker, and sit in the sauna together, just quietly talking, or planning an around-the-world vacation ... visiting saunas in every country.
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