Depression affects millions worldwide, driving many to seek innovative therapies. Infrared saunas provide many mental benefits that could also help treat symptoms of depression. In this guide, we’ll explain what to know about infrared saunas and their mental and physical benefits that can help reduce depression.
Understanding Infrared Saunas
Before we get into the details of infrared saunas and their mental benefits for individuals, we must first understand these innovative saunas. Below we explain how infrared saunas work, how they’re different from conventional steam units, and their unique advantages.
How Infrared Saunas Work
Infrared saunas use infrared light waves to heat your body directly rather than warming the air around you. This method allows the heat to penetrate the skin deeply, creating a more targeted and comfortable experience. Unlike traditional saunas that rely on high ambient temperatures, infrared saunas achieve the same results with lower heat levels.
How They Differ From Conventional Saunas
Traditional steam saunas operate at higher temperatures, typically between 150-190°F, while infrared saunas stay within a more moderate range of 120-150°F. This makes infrared saunas more accessible for those who find the intense heat of conventional saunas uncomfortable or overwhelming.
Advantages of Infrared Saunas
Infrared saunas provide numerous benefits beyond convenience. By delivering direct heat to the body, they promote better circulation and more effective sweating than traditional saunas, enhancing detoxification.
They also support relaxation and may offer potential mental health benefits. With their unique approach, infrared saunas combine efficiency, comfort, and wellness in one package.
The Mental Benefits of Infrared Saunas
While most people associate saunas with physical benefits like detoxification and muscle recovery, they also offer many benefits to the mind of the user. From relieving stress to helping users sleep, there are many mental wellness advantages to infrared sauna use.
Relaxation and Stress Relief
Infrared saunas are a powerful tool for relaxation, as they stimulate the release of endorphins, or the “feel-good” hormones. These hormones naturally help to alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and promote an overall sense of well-being.
The heat from the sauna works to soothe both the body and mind, creating a tranquil environment where you can unwind from the pressures of daily life. Over time, regular use of infrared saunas can contribute to improved stress management and a more balanced emotional state.
Better Sleep
Spending time in an infrared sauna can also significantly support better sleep quality. The gentle, consistent heat helps to lower cortisol levels—a hormone linked to stress and insomnia. By reducing cortisol levels, your body can more easily transition into the rest-and-recovery mode for deep, restorative sleep.
Sleep plays a critical role in mental health, as it gives your mind the time it needs to recharge, repair, and process emotions. Regular sauna sessions can improve sleep patterns, which are essential for maintaining mental clarity, emotional stability, and overall well-being.
Boosting Cognitive Function
Infrared saunas increase blood circulation, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, including the brain. This enhanced circulation can potentially improve cognitive function, clarity, and focus. With better nutrient delivery, the brain can better perform tasks, regulate mood, and support overall mental resilience.
The calming effects of a sauna session are also useful for reducing mental fatigue, leaving you feeling sharper and more refreshed.
How Infrared Saunas Can Help With Depression
Depression can feel like an uphill battle, with symptoms ranging from persistent sadness and low energy to difficulty concentrating and physical discomfort. While no single solution works for everyone, infrared saunas can help reduce the symptoms of depression by treating the body’s nervous system, helping you sleep better, and relieving physical pain.
How Infrared Saunas Impact the Nervous System
One way infrared saunas may help with depression is by influencing the body’s nervous system. They activate the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” state, which counteracts the body’s stress response. Lower stress levels make it easier to manage negative emotions and overcome feelings of hopelessness.
Better and More Rewarding Sleep
Infrared saunas can play a key role in improving sleep quality, which is a major symptom for many who suffer from depression. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, the gentle heat helps prepare the body for restful sleep. Infrared saunas can also provide mental clarity for users, allowing their minds a more peaceful and restful sleep.
Easing Physical Pain Associated with Depression
Depression often comes with physical symptoms of muscle tension and joint pain. Infrared saunas provide soothing heat that relaxes tight muscles and alleviates discomfort. This relief from physical pain can help individuals feel more comfortable and motivated, aiding in their overall healing process.
Incorporating Infrared Saunas Into Your Mental Health Regimen
If you think an infrared sauna can help your mental health regimen, great! There are a few things to know and consider first before using them, including consulting your doctor and being mindful of how you start.
Consult Your Doctor First
Infrared saunas are generally safe for most people, but being mindful when using them is still important. If you have preexisting medical conditions, such as heart problems, low blood pressure, or chronic illnesses, consult with your doctor before beginning regular sessions. You should also consult your primary care physician before using a sauna to address mental health conditions, such as depression. During your consultation, your doctor can determine if sauna use is appropriate for your condition and compatible with any other existing treatments.
Start Slowly and Build Up
Begin with short, manageable sessions of 10–15 minutes, gradually increasing to 20–30 minutes as your body adjusts to the heat. Additionally, drink plenty of water before and after each session to avoid dehydration and help your body detoxify effectively.
Pair Sauna Sessions With Healthy Habits
Maximize the mental health benefits of your sauna sessions by pairing them with other positive practices. Try meditating or practicing mindfulness immediately after a session to keep your mind in a calm, receptive state. Follow up with balanced meals and proper hydration to support both physical and mental well-being.
Consistency is Key
While a single sauna session can provide immediate relaxation, the long-term mental health benefits, such as improved mood and reduced depression, come from consistency. Aim for 3–5 sessions per week and track your progress to notice changes in your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.
Other Resources for Battling Depression
While infrared saunas can be helpful, there’s no one solution for defeating depression, and there are many other resources those suffering should consider. Professional help, such as therapy or counseling, with licensed therapists can help address negative thought patterns with techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Many individuals also find value in support groups, whether in-person or online, where they can connect with others facing similar challenges.
Crisis hotlines, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 in the U.S.), offer 24/7 assistance to anyone in immediate need. Exploring community resources, such as health clinics or nonprofit organizations dedicated to mental health, can offer affordable and localized care options.
Alleviate Your Mind and Body with Health Mate
If the mental and physical relaxation and relief of an infrared sauna could help you, Health Mate is the place to go. We provide a wide inventory of models to choose from, including 3-person infrared saunas and individual units.
Whether you want to relieve joint pain or clear your mind, an infrared sauna is an excellent tool for holistic wellness. Browse our saunas online or contact our staff to speak with an expert today.