When you’re feeling under the weather, you’ll likely be on the lookout for remedies to ease your symptoms or speed up recovery. Infrared saunas, with their calming warmth and wellness-boosting reputation, are likely to surface during your search. But can you use an infrared sauna while sick, and is it even beneficial to do so? We’ll explore that question and more in our in-depth look at infrared saunas and how they can affect your body during illness.
What is an Infrared Sauna?
First, what is an infrared sauna? Unlike traditional saunas that heat the air in the sauna, infrared saunas directly warm your body with infrared light. Infrared light penetrates the skin more deeply, heating your body from the inside out, rather than simply creating a sweltering environment.
This specific type of heat is gentler, as the surrounding air stays cooler than in a traditional sauna, making it a more comfortable experience for many users. This difference in functionality sets infrared saunas apart from traditional saunas and contributes to their growing popularity in the wellness community.
How An Infrared Sauna Therapy Can Help Prevent Sickness
Infrared sauna therapy itself is an excellent way to prevent sickness from taking hold in your body. By enhancing immune function, improving circulation, and reducing stress, your body can better fight off foreign pathogens and viruses from taking root in your body.
Enhances Immune Function
Infrared saunas can stimulate your body’s natural defense mechanisms. The heat exposure mimics a mild fever, which activates your immune system to produce more white blood cells and antibodies.
According to research, this process, known as hyperthermia, can help the body ward off infections more effectively. Studies also link regular sauna use with a lower risk of respiratory illnesses, such as colds and flu. [Source: PubMed Study on Hyperthermia and Immune Function]
Supports Detoxification
Infrared saunas encourage deep sweating, which is a natural way for the body to eliminate toxins. By removing heavy metals, pollutants, and other harmful substances, regular sauna sessions can reduce the toxic load on your immune system. This allows your body to focus its energy on protecting you from viruses and bacteria rather than processing environmental impurities.
Improves Circulation and Oxygen Delivery
Sauna use enhances circulation by increasing your heart rate and promoting better blood flow. This improved circulation ensures oxygen and nutrients are efficiently delivered to your organs and tissues, including those involved in immune defense. More oxygen-rich blood also supports faster recovery from illness and enhances the body’s ability to fight off infections.
Reduces Stress to Boost Immunity
Chronic stress is one of the biggest contributors to a weak immune system. Infrared saunas activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps lower stress levels and promote relaxation.
By reducing cortisol (stress hormone) levels, infrared saunas contribute to a stronger immune response. Research suggests that regular relaxation practices can improve your body’s ability to respond to pathogens and decrease susceptibility to illness. [Source: PubMed Study on Fever and the Thermal Regulation of Immunity]
With their ability to relax the body, detoxify, improve circulation, and relieve pain, infrared saunas are powerful tools for promoting overall wellness and vitality. However, the question remains—can you use an infrared sauna while sick?
When an Infrared Sauna Can Help in Illness Recovery
While an infrared sauna won’t magically cure your sickness after one session, they do offer many recovery benefits to those dealing with common illnesses. In many cases, they can be extraordinarily helpful during the later stages of an illness, once you’re past active symptoms, such as fever.
Relieving Congestion and Respiratory Symptoms
In the recovery stage of a cold, the gentle heat from an infrared sauna can help loosen mucus, making it easier to clear congestion. It can also open up nasal passages and sinuses, providing relief from lingering respiratory symptoms. While the sauna won’t permanently soothe your runny nose, it can act as a useful decongestant to relieve sinus symptoms.
Easing Muscle Stiffness After Illness
After long periods of rest due to sickness, muscles can become tight or stiff. If you have aches and pains from sickness or long periods of rest, the heat from an infrared sauna can improve your circulation and help reduce muscle soreness.
Relaxation and Immune Support
The relaxation benefits of infrared heat can help balance stress hormones, which play a role in supporting immune health. You may feel stressed and anxious when sick, but that can only exacerbate symptoms. A relaxing session in an infrared sauna can bring mental relief that will also contribute to a smoother recovery process.
Promote Restful Sleep
Sleep is essential for recovery from illness, and infrared saunas can help you get a restful night’s sleep. The warmth can induce feelings of calmness and promote relaxation, making it easier to drift off into a peaceful slumber. It also provides a low-intensity exercise for your body, which relieves tension and helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Risks of Using a Sauna While Sick
While infrared saunas can be an effective tool in combatting illness, users must still demonstrate caution before use. Infrared saunas raise your body’s core temperature and cause sweating, which can be risky if you’re sick, especially with a fever. Your body is already working hard to regulate its temperature, and the added heat can put extra stress on it, potentially worsening your symptoms.
Saunas also promote heavy sweating, which can lead to dehydration. When combined with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, this dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, and increased fatigue.. Also, if you’re sick, it’s best not to use an infrared sauna at a public spa or gym to prevent other people from getting sick.
Guidelines for Safe Usage
If you’re feeling under the weather, an infrared sauna could help, but only under the right circumstances. When using an infrared sauna, pay strict attention to your body and how you feel for a safe and effective session.
Listen to Your Body
If you’re feeling weak, fatigued, or feverish, skip the sauna altogether. Wait until your fever subsides and you’re feeling more stable before stepping in. Always prioritize how your body feels and avoid pushing yourself unnecessarily.
Keep Sessions Short
Don’t push yourself too hard in an infrared sauna, especially when you’re already battling an illness. Start with 10-minute sessions—if your body tolerates it well and you’re feeling better, you can gradually increase the duration in future sessions. Avoid overdoing it, as intense and long exposure can strain your immune system.
Choose a Lower Temperature
Infrared saunas allow you to adjust the heat. Opt for a lower temperature setting to ensure a gentler experience that won’t overwhelm your body as it recovers.
Consult a Healthcare Professional
If you have any underlying health conditions or are unsure if sauna use is safe during your recovery, consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide personalized advice to your specific health needs.
Support Wellness with Health Mate
Infrared saunas are excellent tools for building your immune system strength, relieving symptoms from an illness, and promoting recovery. If you want a wellness tool to use all the time like an infrared sauna, Health Mate is here to help! We have a wide range of models in our inventory, including 2-person infrared saunas and more. Browse our selection or contact our staff to speak with an infrared sauna expert today.