Infrared Sauna to Combat Flu/Cold Season

Infrared Sauna to Combat Flu/Cold Season

As flu season starts, many people search for ways to stay healthy. Using an infrared sauna can boost your immune system. Explore how infrared saunas work, how they improve immunity, their differences from regular saunas, safe use tips, and what to look for when buying one.
 

What Infrared Saunas Are

Infrared saunas are different from regular hot saunas. They use infrared heaters to send radiant heat directly to your body instead of heating the air. The heaters make infrared radiation, which your skin absorbs up to two to three inches deep, warming your core body temperature without hot ambient air.
 

There are three types of infrared saunas:

·      Near-infrared produces shorter waves absorbed by cell membranes to stimulate cells. It can help to purify the skin.

·      Far infrared uses longer waves to penetrate joints, muscles, and tissues. This relaxes muscles and eases pain.

·      Full-spectrum provides a mix of wavelengths for whole-body effects.

How Infrared Improves Immunity

Infrared rays may support immune function in a few key ways:
 

Detoxification
 

Infrared makes you sweat a lot by heating your core. Deep sweating removes toxins, chemicals, metals, and impurities. Getting rid of these harmful substances reduces the toxic load on your immune system. Infrared saunas can cause up to seven times more sweat than regular saunas. This purification leaves your immune system less burdened.
 

Better Blood Flow
 

The infrared heat expands blood vessels and improves circulation. More blood flow transports oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells around your body faster. Good circulation also carries away waste and bacteria efficiently. This optimized blood flow lets your immune system work better.
 

Heat Stress Response
 

The infrared warmth elevates your core temperature like an artificial fever. Your body then works hard to cool off. This heat stress triggers your body to produce more heat shock proteins and white blood cells. Making more of these defensive cells prepares your body to find and destroy germs quickly.
 

Relaxation
 

The gentle infrared warmth promotes relaxation, which lowers stress hormones like cortisol. Reducing high amounts of these hormones gives relief to your nervous and glandular systems. With less strain from stress, your body can dedicate more resources to maintain efficient immune reactions when needed.
 

Differences From Regular Saunas
 

Infrared saunas work differently from regular saunas. Regular saunas heat the air to very high temperatures. The hot air warms your skin to make you sweat. However, the air must be uncomfortably hot to give health benefits. 
 

Infrared saunas directly focus radiant heat right on your body. This allows for more comfortable and tolerable temperatures to produce equal or better health results.
 

Infrared saunas let you sweat more at lower temperatures compared to extremely hot and humid regular saunas. The infrared heat is enjoyable and causes more sweating than traditional saunas. For maximum safety, infrared works well at moderate temperatures.
 

Tips for Safe Use

If you are new to infrared sauna use, consider these tips:

• Stay hydrated before, during, and after use.
• Start with 10 to 15 minutes and slowly increase the time.
• Take short breaks if overheating.
• Cool down gradually after use.
• Ask your doctor if you are unsure about using one.
• Avoid alcohol intake beforehand.

During the flu season, adding infrared sauna use can strengthen immunity. Radiant heat and sweat response may help your body resist illness threats. Letting your immune system focus on germs instead of toxins can better prepare your defenses against seasonal challenges. With regular use, infrared therapy offers a way to stay proactively healthy when needed. 
 

For more on infrared saunas, visit Advanced Health and Wellness at our office in Newnan, Georgia. Call (770) 253-5040 to schedule an appointment today.