Saunas are so hot right now!

From celebrities, to bloggers, to a friend on Instagram, I can guarantee you’ve seen someone posting from or about an infrared sauna. Its only natural to be intrigued by these glowing heat boxes popping up all over the country with promises to boost your mood, burn calories, and improve muscle relaxation.  Hollywood stars including but not limited to  Jennifer Anniston,  Gwyneth Paltrow, and The Kardashians have all been known to enjoy a quick sweat sesh .These days you may even have a friend who has one in their home. So are there actually infrared sauna health benefits? And do the heat boxes live up to all the hype?  Well today we unpack all things true and false about these infrared boxes. Come on lets dive in and see.

Like many new health and wellness trends the infrared sauna comes with a laundry list of health benefits; from weight loss, to improved circulation, to pain relief, even to the removal of toxins in the body. But as is the case with so many health crazes these days, are these so called benefits too good to be true? First let me start by explaining the main difference between a traditional and an infrared sauna. Traditional saunas use heating elements to raise the temperature of the air inside them while infrared saunas use infrared light ( not visible to the human eye) to change your body temperature while the air around you stays unchanged. The result is your core body temperature will rise without having to sit in a room where the ambient temperature is close to 200 degrees. Sounds much more appealing to me!

Below are just A FEW claims that sauna junkys claim to be true and the research I’ve found to back it up or squash it.

Improved circulation – fact or fiction

Fact! Here’s why; Your peripheral blood vessels dilate as heat goes through your body, similar to what happens during exercise. Circulation to your extremities can be stimulated twice as fast when you are at rest, which means you can get increased circulation and an increased heart rate simply by sitting in your infrared sauna. (seems like a winner to me)

 Weight loss- The jury is still out on this one. But here’s what I know to be true. Because of the infrared lights ability to penetrate the skin more deeply, and the infrared lights gradual way of raising your core body temperature. This alone will increase metabolic rate and can help you burn an extra 300-600 calories in a 30 minute session. But at the end of the day its still Calories in Vs. Calories out when it comes to weight loss.

Improved Heart Health–

Fact!  A study done by the Mayo clinic suggests that regular infrared sauna use may lower systemic blood pressure and reduce arterial stiffness.  It’s has also been shown that the bodies physical response of a session can be equal to walking up a hill at a moderate pace!

Pain Relief –

Fact- Research shows that it may be a promising treatment for chronic pain. As infrared lights can penetrate up to 3 inches below the skin into the muscles and joints. This increases blood flow to the muscles delievering a more concentrated oxygen, which in turn creates an environment that our muscles and joints can heal faster in.

Relaxation and Better Sleep–

FACT!  Many people (thats me I am many people)  have found that they have better control over their emotions after using a sauna regularly. This is due to the release of dopamine and the restriction of cortisol production during your sweat sesh. Basically I think of it as a mediation session in a much warmer temperature.

So while a regular sauna has several similar benefits what really sets Infrared saunas apart is the more comfortable temperature and the efficiency. If the benefits listed above appeal to you, by all means check it out. An infrared sauna bed has become a major part of my health and wellness lifestyle. I highly recommend to anyone who is looking to improve their physical AND mental well-being.