You’ve likely been in a sauna at some point in your life. But have you ever had a session in an infrared sauna? These special saunas differ from the typical steam saunas and come with their own unique set of health benefits.
Keep reading for more on how your performance and recovery can benefit from an infrared sauna!
%20(1).webp?width=500&height=333&name=sauna2%20(2)%20(1).webp)
What is an infrared sauna?
A typical sauna heats the air around you with steam or dry heat, indirectly heating your body. An infrared sauna, on the other hand, skips the middle step and uses large infrared light heaters to directly warm your body. The heat from the lights absorbs directly into the skin, and many studies suggest that a session in the infrared sauna comes with several health and recovery benefits.
Is an infrared sauna safe?
Most experts agree that infrared saunas pose no health risks to the average person. As with all saunas, there can be risk of dizziness, overheating, or mild discomfort. These side effects can usually be mitigated by drinking lots of fluids before and after a sauna session, and not remaining in the sauna for over an hour. Of course, there are a few people that doctors suggest should not use saunas, like those in the early stage of pregnancy, so it’s a good idea to consult your doctor if you have any doubts.
What are the health benefits of an infrared sauna?
1. Boost recovery
Working out the right way is necessary for health and fitness, but recovering the right way is just as important. The infrared sauna is great for post-workout and post-injury recovery. The heat not only relaxes the muscles, but also increases blood circulation, allowing torn muscles and athletic injuries to heal faster.
2. Alleviate pain
The Cleveland Clinic suggests that infrared sauna therapy can help alleviate and manage chronic and short-term pain. The sauna’s heat reaches muscles and ligaments and opens up blood vessels, allowing for increased blood circulation and loosening of muscles.
3. Relaxation
Studies show that spending some time in a sauna may help decrease anxiety, depression, and stress. Sitting under the infrared lights can help minimize distractions, lower blood pressure, and act as a sort of meditation. Infrared sauna users love to get sweaty and feel their tensions melt away. This can also correlate with a better night’s sleep!
4. Cardiovascular benefits
Studies have shown that the infrared sauna can improve circulation, boost heart function, and reduce risk of heart disease. One April 2015 study even showed that sauna sessions can result in “reduced risk of SCD [sudden cardiac death], CHD [fatal coronary heart disease], CVD [fatal cardiovascular disease] and all-cause mortality.” More research is consistently being done on the cardiovascular and weight loss benefits of the infrared sauna, but so far, results have been overwhelmingly positive.
Conclusion
The infrared sauna is fun, relaxing, and a great way to sweat away your troubles. It’s also very beneficial for health and injury recovery. At MOTIVNY, we place a lot of focus on recovery, and love to help athletes recover smarter with our state-of-the-art infrared sauna. Find out what all the hype is about!
