The 7 Best Benefits Of Using An Infrared Sauna
7 Benefits Of Using An Infrared Sauna
Thinking about getting an infrared sauna, but not totally sure if it's worth it? Overwhelmed looking for info?
There's a lot of information about infrared saunas online these days and it can be really hard to parse through it all to just get some basic information. We've covered some of our favorite infrared saunas, how infrared saunas work and the difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna, but in this post we're simply covering seven of the greatest benefits to using an infrared sauna.
Regular infrared sauna use has a lot of benefits, but there are also a lot of unsubstantiated claims out there that are just plain wrong. We don't promote the crazy claims and don't believe infrared saunas to be a cure-all. But, there are a lot of really great benefits, so let's get into our top seven:
1. Infrared Saunas Reduce Stress and Anxiety
This is my favorite benefit of using an infrared sauna because you experience it, you feel it and you totally benefit from it. Sitting in an infrared sauna for even as little as 15 minutes 3-4 times a week has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. This makes sense if you think about how you feel after you sweat a bunch and get rid of those toxins. It just feels great.
You can also enhance the positive effects of your infrared sauna by using chromotherapy lighting. Different colored lights have been shown to have certain impacts on our mood and green is generally the best color to reduce stress and anxiety. So hop in your infrared sauna, turn on the green light and get ready for a great night sleep!
2. Infrared Saunas Promote Better Sleep
As we discussed above, infrared saunas are great at reducing stress and anxiety. And when you're not stressed out and aren't anxious you're going to sleep better. Infrared saunas have been shown to promote better sleep for a few different reasons.
First, our bodies think they need to go to sleep when they drop in temperature. Now, this doesn't sound like something associated with an infrared sauna, but after your core temperature spikes while you're in the sauna, it drops dramatically when you get out. This tells your body it's time to sleep. Cool, huh?
Secondly, as well as reducing stress and anxiety, infrared saunas have also been shown to relieve muscle and joint pain. A good night sleep with no pain? Sign me up!
3. Infrared Saunas Improve Circulation
Regular sauna use has been shown to increase circulation and help reduce high blood pressure. While sitting in a sauna should not replace healthy eating and exercise to tackle high blood pressure, used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle regular sauna use may improve circulation and help reduce high blood pressure.
The primary reason infrared saunas can be great for your blood pressure and circulation is that the high heat raises your heart rate and provides similar effects to a light cardiovascular workout. If you've ever sat in a sauna and it starts getting really really hot you know what I'm talking about!
4. Infrared Saunas Help With Weight Loss!
Similar to improving circulation and blood pressure, the increased heart rate caused by sitting in a really hot sauna can help you lose weight. Again, the increased heart rate you experience sitting in an infrared sauna feels pretty similar to a light cardiovascular workout. Do this enough times per week and it's just like working out, but instead of running you can just sit on a bench. I'd call that a life hack.
5. Infrared Saunas Improve Your Immune System
Regular infrared sauna use has been shown to improve your immune system. Because infrared saunas raise your core body temperature, this tricks your body into temporarily thinking you have a fever. When you have a fever your body deploys its immune response system. So while you're sitting in your sauna your body gets to work making sure you won't get sick again. There's a lot more going on in that sauna than just sweating!
6. Infrared Saunas Increase Energy
With increased blood circulation and a higher heart rate I often times step out of a sauna feeling energized and ready to take on the day. If you start using your infrared sauna regularly you will also sleep better, which will give you more energy throughout the day. Infrared saunas have even been shown to help those who suffer from chronic fatigue.
7. Clear and Smoother Skin
Lastly, but certainly not least, infrared saunas have an awesome effect on your skin, helping it stay clearer, tighter and smoother. While sitting out in the sun on a daily basis is terrible for your skin, spending time in an infrared sauna doesn't subject you to the same UV exposure you experience while outside in the sun. In fact, as you begin to sweat your body starts flushing out dead skin cells which get replaced at a more rapid rate.
Cleaning out your pores also increases capillary circulation which makes you look younger and better, AND feel better.
