Traditional saunas can feel amazing after sweating for 20 minutes and soaking up the heat. They offer a variety of health benefits, but sometimes, the heat is just too much. Luckily, infrared saunas offer the same benefits as a traditional sauna, but you don’t have to experience the extreme heat. 

Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas use infrared light rather than heat that directly warms up your body. Infrared light exposes the body to electromagnetic radiation which causes the temperature to rise. Infrared panels are used to help penetrate tissue and ultimately heat up your body before the air around you heats up. The infrared sauna usually is operated at lower temperatures like 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit, and a traditional sauna gets to be much hotter ranging from 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, with an infrared sauna, 80 percent of the heat is transferred to your body, where the other 20 percent is in the air. This effect makes an infrared sauna more tolerable and allows people to stay inside longer than a traditional sauna. 

The Benefits of Using an Infrared Sauna

An infrared sauna has similar benefits to a traditional sauna such as:

• Better circulation
• Losing weight
• Improved sleep
• Relaxation
• Relieves stress
• Soothes sore muscles and joint pain
• Tighter and clearer skin
• Helps with chronic fatigue syndrome
• Detoxification

Using an Infrared Sauna

Saunas can be used in different places such as a doctor’s office, a club, a spa, or even in your home. The following guidelines are how you can prepare and use your infrared sauna:

1) Hydrate

Drinking water is very important before entering the sauna. Since it gets hot inside, you will sweat a lot and it is important to stay hydrated. Drink a glass of water before entering, or bring it into the sauna with you.

2) Set your desired temperature

Choose a temperature for your sauna ranging from 100 degrees to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are a beginner or a first time user, it is recommended to start at a lower temperature like 100 degrees. If you are experienced, you may choose a higher temperature or whatever you are most comfortable with.

3) Set your time

After choosing your desired temperature, it is important to set the proper amount of time you will be in the sauna. Try to set your time around 10-15 minutes if you are a beginner sauna user. Each time, you can try adding more time until you reach up to 20-30 minutes which is the recommended amount of time. 

4) Clothing

It is your choice whether or not you choose to wear clothes. If you do choose clothes, most people wear a bathing suit or a robe. 

5) Spending time in the sauna

To pass the time, you can meditate, read a book, listen to music, or converse with your friends. It is important not to fall asleep because you could accidentally go over your set time.  

6) After the session

When the session in the sauna has completed, it is important to make sure you let your body cool down. This will take some time, but once your body is cooled off, you can go about your day or take a shower. Remember to hydrate after the session as well.