Candice woke up after a poor night’s sleep yet again. She was clearly in a never-ending cycle of wake-caffeinate-work like crazy, and collapsed at the end of the day onto her couch. Her downfall was staying up binge-watching TV and falling asleep too late. Eventually, fed up with feeling worn out physically and emotionally, she decided to take her health more seriously and create healthier habits. Fortunately for Candice, and everyone else, saunas are a great resource for that. So, let’s discuss three ways infrared can help tackle the blahs and infuse more energy into your day.
Ready? Here we go.
Metabolism Booster
People talk about their metabolism slowing as they age, but what role does metabolism play in our body’s function? Metabolism is how your body breaks down the food and drinks you consume into energy. Your basal metabolic rate is the energy or calories burned when you simply exist.
We do know that a sluggish metabolism can be due to inactivity. Additionally, ups and downs in diet can wreak havoc on your system.
The reason infrared helps is because, first, it increases your core temperature. This allows for your lymphatic, cardiovascular, and immune systems to release fat-based sweat. This in turn leads to a healthier metabolism. On top of that, infrared heat increases enzyme production, which improves gut health and thereby, overall health. Sounds like a win-win!
Interestingly, a medical study linked depression and metabolic disorders, but more on that later. For now, let’s see how infrared helps you get a better night’s rest.
Sleep Inducer
Candice’s biggest issue was having an erratic sleep schedule. Some days she’d conk out after dinner and wake too early in the morning. On other nights she’d be up until the wee hours watching a series of television shows. Neither is a great way to end your day.
In fact, according to the Sleep Foundation, “The blue light emitted by many devices disrupts the natural production of melatonin, a hormone that facilitates sleep and can throw off your circadian rhythm.” Blue light actually suppresses melatonin, so it makes sense that if you spend an hour or more before bedtime staring at a screen your sleep will be disrupted. Additionally, the stimulating effect of a movie or email on your brain, now on high alert, makes it harder to power down.
But even if you’re not on a device, it can be hard to wind down after a busy day. You may have tried sleeping pills, sleeping masks, weighted blankets, and meditating, and none work. However, there’s another alternative for a sounder snooze.
Enter the infrared sauna. Literally, step inside for 20-30 minutes at night. Let the heat work its magic. Instead of letting digital screens lull you or stimulate you way into the late hours, use some downtime for sauna therapy.
The deep penetration of the intense heat will spur chemical changes, increasing the production of endorphins, which help calm and relax our bodies. In addition, hormones like cortisol, which can be triggered by stress, will balance out as the infrared seeps into your core. The sauna can act like a good jog or workout, increasing your heart rate, but also providing a release of tension.
Also, as you near bedtime your body goes through a change in temperature. It’s normal for your core temperature to decrease before bed, signaling the production of melatonin. Once you leave the sauna, your body temperature will begin dropping and kickstart the sleep process.
The resulting slumber is often sounder and as a result, you’ll wake feeling more refreshed, less draggy, or blah. And speaking of blah, there’s an important aspect of infrahttps://www.countingsheep.net/infrared-saunasred we haven’t touched on yet. Keep reading!
Mood Enhancer
Candice’s lack of sleep was just one contributor to her erratic energy levels. Sometimes hormones can play a part as well, which is another aspect of health that sometimes gets ignored. Mood and hormones are often linked. The same study linking metabolism and chronic physical issues found a possible mechanism linking “metabolic dysregulation and chronic stress in addition to major depressive disorder (MDD).”
Infrared saunas are instrumental in both relieving tension and helping beat the blahs–and blues. Typically, it’s the mid and far infrared that penetrate our core and increase our heart rate and circulation levels. In addition, chromotherapy, often labeled near-infrared with red light, can help improve our frame of mind. Health Mate integrates chromotherapy, multi-colored light panels, into many of its sauna models,
Green light in particular is known to combat depression associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). Green, often associated with nature, can put us in the same good mood as a walk in a forest or garden. Also, yellow light helps boost positivity, like sunshine can leave us feeling cheerful.
Ultimately if you’re experiencing a period of low energy or poor health, you want to steadily change your lifestyle and habits. Infrared therapy can be a part of that lifestyle change, and regular sessions might save you a trip to the doctor. Obviously, if you are having serious medical conditions, you will want to consult a physician.
For more information on how an infrared sauna benefits your health or to get details on particular models, contact our team of sauna specialists.