Infrared Saunas for Self-Care

You’ve seen the magazine articles and blog posts: infrared saunas are stylish these days. They may be popular among everyone from Hollywood celebrities to elite athletes, but their popularity might make you skeptical. Famous people are prone to diving into strange trends, , so how can you know that saunas are not another empty fad? It’s important to look behind the headlines and see the solid foundation of science that continues to back them up.

Sauna: An Ancient Tradition

While sauna use may seem new and trendy , in European countries--and especially Finland--saunas have been popular since the Middle Ages. While regular sauna use has long been a tradition, people still recognize sauna sessions to be a valuable way to warm up, gently detoxify the body, and relax. But there is still a difference between ancient sauna techniques and modern infrared sauna use. Old-style saunas used radiant heat or steam to heat the air around the person using the sauna, requiring an expensive setup and higher temperatures. Modern infrared saunas are typically more affordable, and heat the user directly, enabling them to experience the positive effects of heat therapy without the uncomfortably high temperatures of traditional steam saunas.

Letting Your Troubles Slip Away

While saunas have many benefits, including weight loss, relief of chronic pain, lowering blood pressure, and clearing up skin troubles, the number one reason people see regular sauna use as a necessity is stress relief. The combination of gentle heat with a quiet, intimate atmosphere, and several minutes spent in repose has been reported time and again to improve mood and reduce feelings of stress. Some studies even suggest that sauna use can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

How to Integrate Saunas into Your Self-Care Practice

Wondering how integrate the benefits of saunas into your self-care routine? Here are a few tips.

●Take time to think through the stresses in your life and try to build your self-care practice around recovering. For instance, if you recognize that lack of sleep is a major factor in your stress, institute sleep-promoting habits.

●Saunas are most impactful when used daily. They don’t have to be a large time commitment, as many people enjoy using their sauna before bed, or in the morning before a shower.

●Try combining your sauna session with healing mental practices such as prayer, mindfulness, or meditation. Don’t allow yourself to fret, ruminate, or worry during your sauna time.

●Make sure that you’re taking care of your body in other ways, too--for instance, keep up with your dental and medical checkups, and take a quality multivitamin.

With the fast pace of modern life, it can be difficult to make the time to care for ourselves properly. However, no important work can be done if we allow our bodies to get run-down and burnt out. Protect yourself with excellent self-care, and you’ll be able to do what you love for many years to come.

Sources:

Benefits Of The Sauna - www.pureinsideout.com

8 Unexpected Benefits Of The Sauna - www.lifehack.org