Many people usually go for hot baths or showers in order to relax. Recently, another form of heat therapy is becoming a rising favorite among health enthusiasts, which is the infrared sauna!
Just like any other sauna, an infrared sauna elevates your body temperature. The difference is that unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas use infrared light to increase the heat of the room.
Infrared therapy is said to be safer and more effective than traditional steam or dry heat sauna therapy because the former uses low amounts of electromagnetic radiation in order to produce light waves that warm your body instead of the surrounding air. And it comes with a lot of benefits!
Read on to find out about the amazing health benefits of infrared saunas!
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Infrared Sauna Sessions Are Good For Weight Loss
Among the many infrared sauna health benefits is weight loss. The intense heat from the infrared light helps to burn calories and sweat out toxins, leading to a slimmer physique over time.
Sauna sessions can also help with weight loss by boosting metabolism and promoting a healthy appetite. Metabolic waste products are eliminated through sweat glands stimulation, which can help you to feel hungry less often.
When you use an infrared sauna on a regular basis, your body will start to burn calories – more than usual – even when you’re not in the sauna. This is because your body’s natural response to heat is to increase its basal metabolic rate and catalyze burning calories.
Of all infrared light types, far infrared sauna wavelengths are known to be the most effective in increasing sluggish metabolism and reducing fat. Far infrared sauna imparts similar effects on the body like intense to moderate exercises would.
Infrared Saunas Detoxify Your Body
Another popular benefit of infrared saunas is that they help with detoxification. Due to the intense heat, the body increases sweat production which then helps to flush out toxins.
Heavy metals are some of the most common toxins that can build up in the body over time. Infrared saunas are effective at helping to remove these metals from the body, which is why they’re often used by people who have metal allergies or sensitivities.
Moreover, an infrared sauna session can be extremely beneficial on conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. These are often associated with toxicity issues. Detoxifying your body can help improve these conditions and make you feel more energetic overall.
Infrared Sauna Therapy Leads To Improved Circulation
Poor circulation should never be disregarded, especially as you get older. Using an infrared sauna can help to improve your circulation and keep your body healthy!
The circulation is increased by “vasodilation”, which refers to the opening up your capillaries. This allows more blood flow to the surface of your skin. As your body heats up in order to cool off, the heart will have to work harder for pumping blood at a quicker rate in order to improve circulation.
Infrared Saunas Aid In Fatigue Reduction
Fatigue can be caused by many different factors, such as stress, sleep deprivation, or an unhealthy lifestyle. However, sauna bathing or having an infrared sauna session can help to reduce fatigue and improve your energy levels!
The heat helps to increase blood flow and promote detoxification in the body. This increased blood circulation helps to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to your tired muscles and organs, which helps you to stay limber and full of energy!
Infrared Saunas Promote Better Sleep Quality
Insomnia can have a negative impact not only on your sleeping habits, but also on your daily life. The good news is that saunas can help to improve your sleep quality and give you the rest you need!
Both a conventional sauna and an infrared therapy use can result in better sleep patterns because they have a calming effect on your body.
The high heat will open up blood vessels in order for more oxygenated blood flow throughout the whole body.
This activity in blood vessels results in improved blood circulation, which can help you relax and fall asleep faster at night!
Infrared Sauna Therapy Boosts Your Immune System
Saunas in general are known to be good for your body’s immune response, and infrared saunas are no exception. The heat helps to kill off bacteria and viruses, while also helping stimulate intense sweating and improve circulation.
This combination can help boost your immune system and make you less susceptible to colds and other illnesses. In fact, many people have gotten rid of their seasonal allergies mainly due to profuse sweating achieved through sauna exposure!
Infrared Sauna Treatments Reduce Stress Levels
We all know how stressful life can be sometimes. Fortunately, regular sauna use can help to reduce these stress levels and promote a more relaxed state of mind.
Infrared heat is said to have a sedative effect, which can be helpful if you’re struggling with stress and anxiety.
Relaxing Effect
The heat from infrared saunas can help to calm your nerves and melt away tension, leading to an overall sense of relaxation for the entire body.
Mental Health
In addition to improving your physical health, infrared saunas can also help improve mental health. The heat stimulates the brain and this is why using them leaves you feeling happier overall.
This can be extremely beneficial for those suffering from depression or anxiety, as it may provide a way of coping with their condition in an effective manner.
Infrared Saunas Improve Skin Health
Many of the tangible health benefits that saunas provide for your body can also attribute to smooth, better-looking, and radiant skin.
The intense infrared heat helps to open up your pores, which can allow toxins to escape remove dead skin cells, and leave your skin glowing.
Infrared penetrates deep into the body, improving blood flow. This results in a healthy amount of oxygen-rich blood flowing through all parts of your body including your face! Increased circulation draws your skin’s own natural nutrients to the surface layer.
Collagen Production
Luckily, infrared saunas can actually help promote collagen production in your body! The heat from the light stimulates blood flow to the surface of your skin and boosts collagen synthesis in a similar way that sunlight does.
Collagen is important for keeping your skin looking healthy and young, so sauna use can be a great way to achieve this.
Cellulite Production
The increased heart rate and localized blood circulation collaborate to halt fatty deposits and fibrosis from forming in fat cells, minimizing cellulite appearance.
Skin Health Conditions
These types of therapies can benefit skin health by reducing inflammation and improving moisture retention within the skin cells.
When done correctly, using an infrared therapy device has been shown to offer relief from symptoms related to common skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.
Infrared Saunas Have Anti-Aging Effects
As we age our bodies naturally produce less melatonin, which is directly associated with poor sleep quality, depression, and weight gain.
Infrared sauna therapy has been shown to improve melatonin levels by three times compared to other non-infrared therapies like hot baths or exposure to cold temperatures.
Melatonin helps you fall asleep faster, improves your mood, and helps to protect DNA from damage.
So, by improving melatonin levels, saunas can help you look and feel younger!
Infrared Sauna Sessions Speed Up Wound Healing
Do you have a wound that won’t seem to heal? Among the commonly known benefits of infrared therapies is that they help pump blood and encourage your body’s natural healing process.
Whether you are in a traditional sauna or using at-home infrared saunas, it’s important to cover your wound completely. Otherwise, it will be susceptible to infection.
Furthermore, do not to stay in the sauna for too long when you are not in your best condition as the heat can be stressful to the body. Let your body cool down as soon as you feel uncomfortable.
Infrared Saunas Reduce Joint And Muscle Pain
If you suffer from chronic pain, using it might just be the answer to your problems! The heat that is produced by these types of saunas can help reduce inflammation, which will lead to reduced levels of muscle tension, muscle spasms, and joint pain over time.
An infrared sauna session is also said to reduce pain in conditions like arthritis, which is why many people choose this therapy as a treatment option.
Infrared Sauna Sessions Reduce Blood Pressure Levels
High blood pressure is a common problem that can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. Infrared sauna therapy has been shown to help reduce blood pressure levels in people with hypertension.
The link between saunas and high blood pressure is still being studied, but it is thought that the heat from these saunas dilates your arteries and allows for better blood flow.
You may also experience a reduction in blood pressure due to the infrared sauna’s ability to lower stress and provide sore muscles relief.
Infrared Sauna Therapy Helps Improve Heart Health And Provides Overall Health Benefits
One of the benefits of infrared saunas is that they’re extremely good for the health of your cardiovascular system because they reduce bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol.
Increased Heart Rate
The high heat of the infrared sauna causes your heart rate and blood pressure to increase just as if you were working out.
But unlike a traditional workout, the increased heart rate is due to the relaxation response that comes with the infrared heat.
This “workout” without any physical activity is actually great for your cardiovascular health! The combination of increased core body temperature and relaxation reduces stress hormones, which lowers your risk of heart attack or stroke.
Cardiovascular Health Conditions
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in North America? If you have this condition, you might want to use a sauna to help improve your heart health. And it can also reduce your risk of developing this deadly condition!
Infrared sauna therapy can be beneficial for those with heart conditions such as angina or coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure. etc. They’re also good options for those recovering from a stroke due to their positive effects on blood pressure levels.
Conclusion
Infrared saunas are getting more and more popular. It is said to be more effective than a traditional sauna because the infrared heat penetrates your skin and goes deep into your muscles.
They are great because the benefits of infrared therapy are promising like improved skin tone and radiant skin, weight-loss potential, improved immune system, pain relief from rheumatoid arthritis and joint problems as well as better sleep at night.
All these benefits and more are associated with infrared saunas. Indeed, using infrared therapy is one of the best ways you can relax both physically and mentally! Plus it’s a great way to make your body feel good and look younger while addressing several chronic health problems.
Why not give it a try today? You may find yourself feeling healthier than ever before by using even a portable infrared sauna at home!