Infrared saunas use infrared panels to warm your body directly. Unlike traditional saunas, about 80 percent of the heat produced goes directly heats the body as opposed to heating up the air*. The end result is that the user can benefit from a deeper treatment at a lower temperature. It is also a dry type of heat, so you don’t leave the session feeling drained and exhausted - as can often be the case with more traditional saunas.

This article aims to highlight the key health benefits derived from infrared sauna therapy, which in turn explains why Recharge Plus is beyond passionate about investing in this wellness, recovery and overall life enhancing therapy.

Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash

The key benefits you will derive from regular infrared therapy sessions include:

DETOXIFICATION

Infrared saunas heat your body. This rise in core temperature results in a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level (where toxins reside). The sweat released in the infrared sauna session is a fabulous way for your body to release stored chemicals (including heavy metals).

STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM

The heat of the infrared sauna replicates the creation of a ‘fever state’ in the human body, which biologically assists us in fighting off infections and illnesses. The infrared sauna sessions thereby enable our bodies to create more white blood cells to help fight disease. The cumulative effect of this is that regular infrared sauna usage leads to a much stronger immune system.

HEART AND LUNG HEALTH

Numerous studies have been conducted into the beneficial effects of infrared sauna therapy on the cardiovascular system and the lungs*. For example, people experiencing lung conditions such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) have been shown to benefit from infrared sauna therapy for the beneficial impact this modality has proven to have on the health of the lungs, and also the associated immune system benefits.

Research has also found that because infrared saunas heat the body in a different way to traditional saunas, people that are trying to overcome health challenges often find infrared sauna therapy to be more comfortable. **

If you do have a pre-existing condition, it is always wise (and a pre-requisite of Recharge Plus) to speak with your medical practitioner for clearance when embarking on a new path of treatment - even if it is of the therapeutic nature.

If you do have medical clearance and are still a little unsure, it is possible to take considerate measures such as:

starting with shorter sessions;
starting with a lower temperature;
staying hydrated - including during the treatment session (Recharge Plus will provide you with a fresh bottle of water for every infrared sauna session booked.)

ACHES, PAINS AND STIFFNESS

Infrared sauna therapy sessions heat the body and increase circulation which helps to deliver oxygen rich blood to deprived muscles. This in turn relaxes muscles, reduces inflammation, and provides temporary pain relief to stiff joints also.

Infrared sauna therapy is endorsed by many top performing athletes as a modality for providing relief from sports injuries. It is also proven to be beneficial in relieving other conditions such as; chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.

BETTER SLEEP

Recent studies have linked infrared sauna therapy with improved sleep quality. It does this in a couple of ways; firstly, it calms and relaxes us, making it easier for us to fall asleep after a stressful day. Secondly, infrared therapy uses red light, which causes your body to produce melatonin, the renowned sleep hormone.

Maintaining a cool body temperature is an important factor in being able to fall asleep. This explains why you have trouble sleeping on hot summer nights but don’t struggle when your bedroom is cool and dark. You can in fact hack your body’s thermoregulation process by warming your body in an infrared sauna and then allow it to cool down after. This quick cool-down speeds up the process for your brain to fall asleep. The end result is a cool body that’s primed for sleep.

By using an infrared sauna before bed, you calm your body and mind promoting restful sleep. Sleep quality is enhanced as a calmer mind sleeps better and for longer than a restless one.***

WEIGHT LOSS & INCREASED METABOLISM

Anyone that is over 40 knows that it is getting harder and harder to loose, or even maintain their weight. This is because the metabolism slows as we age, and there is a direct link between the slowing of metabolic rates and the storage of toxins in fat cells. This leads to that delightful visceral fat and cellulite that we all loathe.

Infrared sauna therapy is an effective modality for weight loss; it actually mimics a gym workout by increasing the heart rate, increasing oxygen flow, increasing the levels of growth hormones in your body (which burns calories), helps maintain muscle and lean body tissue, and reduces body fat.

Towards the end of your infrared sauna session, your body will increase sweat production to cool itself, and your heart will work harder to pump blood at a greater rate to boost circulation. This increase in your metabolism burns calories.

Up to 600 calories can be consumed during a half hour infrared saunas session.**** According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, regular use of a sauna imparts a similar boost on the cardiovascular system as running*****. As you relax in the gentle infrared heat, your body is hard at work producing sweat, pumping blood, and burning calories.

IMPROVED SKIN - FACE - BODY - & INCLUDING CELLULITE!

Infrared sauna therapy increases the blood flow deep into the layers of your skin. It actively assists the body’s capillary network to clear the body’s elimination pathways. Once toxins are released form your pores, your skin will be purified and will appear clearer, softer, and healthier-looking. Many skin conditions such as: acne, eczema, burns, lesions and cuts, and coldsores will be vastly improved or eradicated with regular use.

Now let’s talk cellulite! As we’ve discussed, Infrared saunas increase body temperature, circulation and metabolism and break down fat cells, all of which assist with weight loss. Cellulite however is not exclusive to overweight people. Even skinny models have cellulite! The key here is the link not with weight loss, but more importantly, with COLLAGEN. Collagen is vital in creating a healthy elasticity in the skin. It is the most abundant protein in the body but unfortunately our collagen stores deplete as we age. It is collagen that helps the skin to look tight and plump, and to feel firm and elastic as opposed to being loose, saggy and wrinkly. Now before we all start to pinch our thighs and get depressed, here’s for the good news: infrared sauna therapy can help you to keep your skin firmer, plumper and more ‘elastic’ as it helps your body create more collagen and connective tissue.

“Infrared saunas use heat waves to penetrate deep into the body, breaking up fatty deposits in the connective tissue underneath the skin. Infrared saunas also help tighten the cellulite because they increase blood flow to the surface of your body, where the infrared rays penetrate deep into your skin layers to promote collagen production and elasticity.

Infrared saunas increase collagen production by stimulating fibroblasts (cells responsible for collagen production), which triggers an increase in blood flow to the skin. This increased circulation facilitates new skin growth by improving oxygenation of skin cells and flushing out toxins that cause dullness or inflammation. Infrared saunas stimulate fibroblast growth at a faster rate than other treatments like topical creams or injections can achieve.” ******

IMPROVED CIRCULATION & EFFICIENT RECOVERY

Infrared sauna sessions raise your core body temperature and heat rate, thus stimulating your circulatory system. The cumulative effect of frequent infrared sauna sessions will be; improved blood flow, improved muscle recovery, decreased pain levels post exercise and decreased inflammation post exercise - all thanks to the blood pumping around the body to help it repair and thrive.

RELAXATION

Infrared sauna therapy promotes pure relaxation, melting away stress and tension, and soothing knotted muscles and jangled nerves.

Recharge Plus seeks to provide you a safe cocoon where you can retreat from the world for a short time and have some time to simply relax. You will be warmly retreating in a natural wooden environment free from distractions, and free from judgement. Let the Recharge Plus infrared sauna become a little oasis of calm for you when you need it.

YOUR LITTLE COCOON OF SELF CARE

Book in for a Recharge Plus infrared sauna session and just a few minutes into your treatment, you are guaranteed to feel those life stresses slipping off your shoulders, as you are cocooned in warmth and comfort in a truly private environment. It’s a short time in your week that is dedicated to you - to simply, let go, release and recharge. You may choose to simply close your eyes and enjoy. Or you may like to read a book, or connect to the wifi and have your favourite music, audio book or meditation connect to you via the in-built Bluetooth.

Leave your work and life stresses at the door.

We can place lavender oil in the sauna if this is your preference; we can provide magazines if desired; we can change the lighting colours to suit your mood! Fresh towels and toiletries are provided and a bottle of water is given to you prior to entry.

This is time for you to simply rest; to simply be. Feel free to use the bathroom, towels and toiletries provided, and go home in your pyjamas! Or feel free to shower at home.

We recommend wearing bathers in your sauna session, and the sauna will be cleaned thoroughly between uses.

Relax and invest in your health and wellbeing x

REFERENCES:

* https://infraredsauna.com/infrared-sauna-detox/

**https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30077204/.

*** https://www.finnleo.com/finnleo-blog/sauna-routine-to-improve-sleep-and-more-health-benefits

****https://www.self.com/story/the-truth-about-that-rumor-that-saunas-can-help-you-lose-weight

*****https://www.energisingchoices.com.au/sauna

******https://helentayloraesthetics.co.uk/blog/does-an-infrared-sauna-burn-fat-help-cellulite-and-tighten-skin/

Recharge Plus Infrared Sauna Sessions are now available for booking.

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