Lindsey Willard
In recent years, infrared saunas have been all the rage. After all, celebrities like Cindy Crawford and Lady Gaga have long praised these saunas for their health benefits. But do infrared saunas really make a difference? It turns out that studies have shown that they can help with both physical and mental health!
Since infrared saunas use infrared lamps to produce heat, the magic happens when the light penetrates your skin and you start to sweat. Additionally, temperatures in infrared saunas are typically between 110 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit, making them cooler and more comfortable than a traditional sauna that can reach 195 degrees.
Infrared saunas also have many health benefits. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these saunas can improve heart health, soothe sore muscles and even reduce pain. They also help reduce chronic pain, just ask Lady Gaga.
In 2017, Lady Gaga shared that she had suffered from fibromyalgia for a long time. For the “Born This Way” singer, infrared saunas have been a great way to cope with her chronic pain. “When my body has spasms,” Lady Gaga shared on Instagram, “one thing I find really helpful is an infrared sauna.”
Besides helping with chronic pain and heart problems, other celebrities like Cindy Crawford and Jennifer Anniston use infrared saunas after workouts. In an interview with Seduce, Crawford remarked, “I love my infrared sauna, which I use after my workout. My husband put a TV in there, so it’s easy to last half an hour.
Aniston agrees. “I love the infrared sauna,” Aniston said People. “I discovered it a few years ago, and it’s evolved from a little portable igloo that you put your body in to a little sauna that we now have in our gym.”
Infrared saunas can also help fight disease with better sleep and relaxation. In fact, studies have shown that these saunas can reduce depression, anxiety and stress. For someone like me struggling to get through the cold and dreary season of winter, using an infrared sauna has definitely been a mood lifter.
If you are considering using an infrared, just be sure to consult your doctor, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. You should also keep in mind that it’s important to start with a short period of time before building up to a 30-minute session, which is the maximum duration suggested by the Cleveland Clinic.
Also, staying hydrated while in the sauna is essential. You may need even more than your typical 32 ounce water bottle! It is also recommended to rinse afterwards so that the toxins you have sweated out are not reabsorbed into your skin.
Whether it’s relieving pain, sore muscles, or stress, infrared saunas are a great tool to watch for your health!