The sauna has been a go-to for relaxation and healing for thousands of years. Its numerous health benefits are the reason this ancient practice is still around today. Not only that, it also managed to evolve. The result of this evolution is the infrared sauna.
Now, this sauna might be a modern twist on the classic sauna experience. However, it still provides the same health and wellness benefits. In fact, the infrared sauna benefits might even surpass those of its traditional counterpart. That’s why many homeowners are now ditching trips to the spa and choosing to bring the infrared sauna right into their homes. And with the kind of state-of-the-art infrared saunas Wellis offers, no one can really blame them.
Here’s why you should become one of these health-conscious homeowners.
What Is an Infrared Sauna and How Does It Work?
The basic premise of the infrared sauna is the same. It’s a heated space that will make you sweat. However, the difference lies in how this sauna makes you sweat.
The Technology Behind Infrared Saunas
Traditional saunas create heat using a wood-burning, gas-powered, or electric heater. In infrared saunas, the heat comes from infrared light panels. These panels can emit three different wavelengths of infrared light – near, mid, and far.
Some infrared saunas will emit all three of these electromagnetic waves, providing a full-spectrum experience. Others will focus on a specific wavelength to target particular benefits. For example, near-infrared light is believed to promote skin health. Far-infrared light, on the other hand, penetrates farther, reaching deeper structures within the body.
Differences Between Traditional and Infrared Saunas
A traditional sauna heater will heat the air around you. This will, in turn, heat you, too. But the infrared sauna skips the air part and goes into the body. Yes, the infrared heat directly penetrates your skin and muscles, raising its temperature. This allows infrared saunas to do more at lower heat.
And that’s precisely the main difference between traditional and infrared saunas. The latter operate at much lower temperatures – 43 degrees Celsius to 57 degrees Celsius. That’s a 20 to 30-degree difference. This makes infrared saunas much more pleasant to use, especially for people who don’t do well in heat. It also means infrared saunas heat up faster and cost less to run.
Top Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas
The benefits of an infrared sauna span several categories. There are the health, wellness, and beauty infrared sauna benefits. And each benefit of infrared sauna bathing is one more compelling reason to invest in one for your home.
1. Detoxification and Cleansing
The detox sauna advantages are still being studied. However, there are some compelling findings that support the idea of using infrared sauna technology for cleansing your body.
As mentioned, infrared heat penetrates much deeper. This encourages a more intense sweat. And this sweat is much better at helping release toxins like heavy metals and environmental pollutants.
Of course, the “helping” part refers to your liver and kidney. These organs are responsible for removing toxins. So, by finding an additional way to eliminate toxins, you ease the workload on these important organs. In the process, you also clear out impurities from your skin. The result? A healthier, more radiant complexion.
2. Improved Circulation and Cardiovascular Health
Most infrared sauna benefits come from how your body reacts to the heat. When your body temperature rises, your blood vessels dilate. This is a natural response to the heat. However, this response directly increases your blood flow and oxygen supply to tissues. And this is an infrared sauna benefit in and of itself.
However, increased circulation also comes with a range of cardiovascular benefits. That’s why these saunas are proven to improve heart health and reduce blood pressure. They practically mimic the effects of moderate exercise.
3. Pain Relief and Muscle Recovery
Improved circulation isn’t only good for your heart. It also delivers more oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. And this is a one-way ticket to pain relief and muscle recovery.
Studies have even found that infrared sauna therapy might be effective in treating chronic pain. People with conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia have reported significant relief when using this therapy regularly.
But the infrared sauna benefits aren’t reserved solely for extreme cases. Infrared heat therapy can help with something as simple as soreness and stiffness after workouts. Essentially, the increased oxygen and nutrient delivery helps reduce inflammation, promoting faster healing all around.
4. Stress Reduction and Mental Health
When it comes to health benefits, infrared sauna bathing doesn’t just target the physical. It also works wonders for your mental well-being.
Regular sauna bathing can help reduce cortisol – the body’s primary stress hormone. So, using an infrared sauna regularly will help you feel less stressed and anxious. However, it can also help you feel less depressed. A 2023 study explains that this impressive benefit is linked to your body temperature. Depression raises your body temperature, and the infrared sauna gives you a healthy way to cool down.
And as if this isn’t enough, the sauna also contributes to deeper and more restful sleep.
5. Weight Loss and Metabolism Boost
An infrared sauna isn’t some miracle weight loss solution. However, it can definitely help your efforts. Remember – infrared sauna bathing mimics the effects of moderate exercise. This helps you burn up to 600 calories, depending on session duration and intensity. All the sweating also eliminates excess water weight, giving you a leaner appearance. Regular sauna bathers will also benefit from a boosted metabolism. This results from the increased body temperature, which stimulates your metabolic processes.
6. Skin Health and Anti-Aging Effects
The Infrared sauna does much more than just open up your pores. It also affects your skin on a much deeper level. By stimulating collagen synthesis, infrared heat helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines. This gives your skin a much more youthful appearance. The healing properties, which this article has already touched on, also help with acne scars. At the same time, the anti-inflammatory properties help battle active breakouts. In short, an infrared sauna can truly be your personal skincare superhero.
7. Immune System Support
Once the infrared heat starts raising your temperature, your body sounds an alarm. But that alarm isn’t alerting you to the sauna relaxation benefits. Instead, it is a sign your body perceives your sauna session as a threat – a fever. As a response, your immune system kicks into gear. The enhanced circulation promotes white blood cell production, helping you fight off infections and colds. And not just current ones – future ones, as well. Research suggests that regular sauna bathing can help you avoid the common cold.
Why Invest in a Home Infrared Sauna
So, you absolutely need an infrared sauna for health – that much is clear. But why not just find a local spa centre with one of these magical machines? Well, owning a home infrared sauna is simply a much better option. Here’s why.
Convenience and Privacy
Sauna bathing is almost always a communal experience. But this just doesn’t work for some people. So, if your definition of unwinding doesn’t include a bunch of strangers sweating around you, an in-home sauna is the way to go. Plus, there’s the added benefit of skipping any commute and booking hassle. You can just walk right into your personal sauna whenever you feel like it.
Long-Term Cost Savings
Investing in a home infrared sauna is no small feat. However, the long-term savings of this approach are undeniable. Sure, you might spend a few thousand pounds on your in-home sauna. However, an average sauna session in a spa will cost you £30. If you want to reap all the health and wellness sauna benefits, you’ll be paying this price up to four times a week. And just like that, you’re spending roughly £500 on sauna sessions monthly. At that rate, after a couple of months, your in-home sauna will have paid for itself.
Enhanced Home Value
A premium home sauna will improve your life in every way. This includes boosting the value of your home. After all, nothing screams luxury like a private spa experience. This experience alone will make your investment worth it if you decide to sell your home.
How to Choose the Right Infrared Sauna for Your Home
The first thing you should consider when purchasing an infrared sauna is space. From there, you can go into the specifics. You can look at a model’s temperature control, seating comfort, and energy efficiency. You can even look into some more premium models with extra perks. For instance, many Wellis infrared saunas offer chromotherapy, which uses coloured lights to promote relaxation. You’ll also find Bluetooth speakers that will turn every sauna session into a soothing experience with your favourite music.
Tips for Maximizing Your Infrared Sauna Sessions
Sauna bathing is an incredibly pleasant experience for most people. It only gets better when you consider how much good it’s doing for your body and mind. However, this doesn’t mean you should use the sauna mindlessly. Here are a few tips to help you have a great time every time.
Hydration Is Key
Sauna bathing will make you sweat a lot. So, you need a way to replenish what’s lost. Drinking water before and after a sauna session will help you do just that. You can hydrate during your session if you’re particularly sensitive to heat.
Ideal Session Duration and Frequency
An infrared sauna operates at a lower temperature than a traditional one. This allows you to stay in there longer – up to 30 minutes. Now, you might be able to tolerate these 30-minute sessions daily. If not, that’s OK. Sauna bathing three to four times a week is the recommended frequency either way.
Create a Relaxing Ambiance
Thanks to numerous thoughtful features, Wellis infrared saunas can help you enjoy each session to the fullest. Play your favourite tune, set the mood with the lighting, and throw in some aromatherapy for good measure. Anything to create an enjoyable ambience.
Sweat in Style
Let’s face it – not everyone is open to the idea of sweating non-stop for 30 minutes. But as long as you remind yourself of all the infrared sauna benefits and purchase a well-built and well-equipped model, sweating will feel like a luxury experience. A luxury experience is precisely what you’ll get with Wellis premium infrared saunas, so start looking for your perfect model today.