The Heat Effect: 6 Key Benefits of Infrared Sauna and Why You Need One!

With new-age innovations and high tech gadgets within the wellness space, it’s now easier than ever to integrate healthy rituals to release stress and feel amazing in your body. One such innovation slicing through the noise and growing in popularity around wellness establishments is the Infrared Sauna. Due to their reported benefits and well documented meditative, energy-boosting transformative experiences - it’s no wonder these at-home sanctuaries hyped as essential home additions are worth investing in. 

Here are 6 key benefits of infrared sauna

1. TENSION RELEASE 

The infrared sauna is said to help your body do more to lighten stress in less time, making them ideal for the busy world we live in.  Medical-grade chromotherapy aka light therapy in a sauna helps physically bring down the stress hormone -cortisol – release feel-good chemicals like serotonin, and endorphins to help your body reach a state of relaxation, instead of ‘fight or flight’ mode. This natural chemical rush has been said to further help release tension and promote an elevated mood. 

2. SKIN BLISS   

Nothing screams health more than A-game skin with a fuss-free glow to match, making infrared sauna’s a major drawcard from the get-go. Traditional Saunas have long been the go-to for a serious sweat, with a spectrum of benefits ranging from a deep revitalizing cleanse that flushes bacteria out of the pores of your skin, to sloughing away dead cells to support your skin's natural vitality – add infrared wavelengths into the mix believed to help repair the epidermis by stimulating collagen production for general tone improvement – the glow is instant from the very first session.

3. DEEP DETOX  

When we think of saunas, one thing that springs to mind is what made them popular in the first place – a serious sweat for a natural detox. Like a giant warm hug, an infrared sauna uses light to heat the skin tissue (in a way traditional ones don't) which in turn raises your core temperature to make you perspire…a lot!  It's been reported that the sweat produced by near and far-infrared heat sources has 20% toxins (think high levels of the common nasties found in our environments like lead, mercury, and chemicals), whereas sweat created by traditional sauna only contains 3% toxins, making an infrared sauna seven times more likely to detox you than traditional heat saunas. 

4. BODY BOOST  

When your body gets heated at the core, not only do you sweat, your vessels dilate to boost blood circulation which triggers your body's natural ability to heal. Natural pain relief chemicals called endorphins, flood your system which in turn helps relieve muscle tension, gets rid of lactic acid in muscles, and soothe workout induced injuries. Next time you hop into an infrared sauna, you can be assured your body is being energized as you relax through the different color light waves. You’ll leave the sauna feeling like you had a workout and a massage in one. 

5. CALORIE BURNER 

With popularity growing, admittedly there have been some radical claims within the industry about Infrared saunas, however, the claim that they help burn calories is very true. When your body temperature rises- your body works harder to cool itself down, so it sweats a lot harder too. All this energy speeds up your heart activity demanding more oxygen from the body – which consumes calories - and the cycle repeats as the body converts further calories into energy. There is evidence that infrared sauna can increase your metabolic rate and can help burn between 200-600 calories a session, however, it’s important to note that true weight loss comes with also eating a balanced diet along with an exercise regime that works for you.  

6. LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD 

Stressful week? Feeling achy, depleted of energy, and just plain uninspired? Our bodies indicate what is going on in it through physiological manifestations with high-stress levels showing up emotionally and mechanically. When these emotions are not released – stress affects sleep and lower one's immunity causing a vicious cycle. The relaxing environment and benefits provided by Infrared Sauna have been well documented over the years and one does truly feel calmly energized after a session. What better way to hop off the grid, and debrief in an environment that’s like your own private personal retreat… plus the added wellbeing gains of these ‘safe havens’ also help you look and feel good about yourself!