Traditional saunas date back to ancient times. Go to any Aztec Civilization, and you’ll see the “sweat huts” that were used daily. Almost every civilization realized the benefits of using the sweating process as a health benefit. Sauna bathing has been a tradition for health in Finland and many Scandinavian countries for thousands of years–mainly used for relaxation and pleasure.
Today, infrared saunas are becoming increasingly popular, and they are linked in research to beneficial effects on the circulatory system, cardiovascular system, and the immune system. These saunas use infrared emitters at different wavelengths without water or steam. They run at lower temperatures than regular saunas and generally provide increased benefits.
Here are eight proven health benefits of infrared saunas:
- They improve circulation and cardiovascular health. The heat causes an increase in sweating and heart rate resulting in physiological changes in the body that mimic exercise. Research shows that infrared saunas can reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. According to Dr. Amy Zack of the Cleveland Clinic, this research compared the physical response of an infrared sauna to walking at a moderate pace. In addition, Dr. Zack says that a sauna also causes the release of anti-inflammatory agents. Within minutes of sitting in an infrared sauna, your body’s natural response begins. While sweat appears on your skin, your blood flow increases, and your blood vessels widen as your heart rate goes up.
- They offer pain relief and can soothe sore muscles. It’s the improved blood circulation that speeds up muscle recovery. According to research, regular use of an infrared sauna may help athletes improve performance. A two-year study shows that any repeated thermal therapy offers a method for chronic pain treatment. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle injuries, research shows that using a sauna may improve stiffness and pain.
- They promote relaxation and relieves anxiety. Whole-body hyperthermia has shown promise as a non-pharmalogical treatment for depression. What a great way to reduce anxiety and depression without medication or in addition to it.
- They can help improve sleep quality. Since infrared saunas relax muscles, calm the nervous system, and ease tension, they help to prepare your body for restful sleep.
- They can increase metabolism and promote weight loss. Infrared saunas stimulate your body’s metabolic processes. This in turn helps you to burn calories and promotes relaxation. It can also help reduce water retention.
- They enhance skin health. Infrared saunas improve blood flow and also stimulate collagen production, which both lead to more youthful looking skin. After using my sauna for a year, I got many compliments on my skin. I’m not sure if the reason was that I was eating healthier foods or the sauna. It may have been both. But be sure to moisturize afterwards because saunas can dry out your skin.
- They promote detoxification. This is the main reason I started using a sauna. It was recommended to me by my integrative medical doctor, Dr. Amber Passini after seeing the results of my toxin profile after chemotherapy. If I wanted to reduce the risks of my cancer returning, detoxification is one thing I certainly needed to do. The deep-penetrating heat helps flush out chemicals and toxins from the body while supporting the role of the liver and kidneys, two of our main detox organs. Never forget that your largest detox organ is your skin.
- They can boost the immune system. An infrared sauna is one way of increasing your body core temperature. So a sauna session may stimulate the production of white blood cells which strengthens your immune system. The benefits of increasing your body temperature are many. I actually took my body temperature before an infrared sauna session, and then I took it afterwards. My body temperature rose by about one degree. Now when I feel a cold or flu coming on, I’ll drink lots of fluids and get in the sauna to help fight it off.
As I mentioned, it was one of my doctors who recommended that I reduce my toxic load by using an infrared sauna. I checked around for a health club with an infrared sauna, and there were none close to me. So I researched which home infrared sauna would be best for me. The day my sauna arrived, I ripped it out of the box. It was like an early Christmas gift. After using it three times a week or eighteen months, the toxins in my body gradually went down. Now that my toxic levels are in normal ranges, I try to use my sauna twice a week to prevent these levels from increasing again. It’s no secret that a high toxic load decreases mitochondrial function. Detoxification with exercise, increased hydration, and the use of saunas is essential after chemotherapy, which automatically increases your toxic load. If you want your immune system to work as God intended, you must reduce your toxic load.
Below is a link to the sauna I bought by Clear Light. I’ve now been using it over ten years, and I’m very pleased. Recently, infrared sauna clubs have opened nationwide. There be one near you. If you want to approach this with a try and see attitude, I suggest you check out one of these places and see how it works for you. If you are fortunate, you might be able to find a used sauna to buy. For my husband and I, having our own sauna at home especially during Covid-19 and lockdowns was a great thing.
If you buy a sauna from this link, this ministry may receive a small portion to help cover expenses.
According to Dr. Zack, infrared saunas are safe when used within reason. Please check, however, with your health practitioner before using an infrared sauna or any sauna on a regular basis. Cancer patients who had multiple lymph nodes removed are generally not advised to use a sauna. You must also check with your doctor if you have any serious disease such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, chronic lung disease, or poorly controlled diabetes. And if you have a rash or if you are pregnant, infrared sauna is not advised. I learned a tough lesson on this when I had a reaction to a medicine, and I thought the sauna might help. It only made things worse. Lesson learned.
When I was in Yemen in the Middle East, the missionaries played a joke on me. They asked the neighborhood children to take me on a tour of the town and then to the local sauna. I was shocked that this town had a local sauna. But when I saw it, I knew the joke was on me! It was a room built above the town dump where they burned debris. Keep in mind, that not just any sauna will do! We want less toxins—not more toxins. Of course, I declined when the children asked me if I wanted a sauna session!
Next week, we’ll look at tips for using an infrared sauna.
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Eight Proven Health Benefits of Infrared Sauna
For Your Health,
Ginny
Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, a finalist in Serious Writers Book of the Decade, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com. Ginny is on YouTube
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***** This content is strictly the opinion of Ginny Brant and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Ginny Brant nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. *****
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