Why I Love My Infared Sauna
After my hamstring injury (80% detachment from my pelvis…yikes!) last summer, I was determined to do anything to avoid the “inevitable and imminent” hip arthroscopy advised by my orthopedic surgeon. The surgery itself is brutal, and the recovery and rehabilitation way worse, so I chose to exhaust all holistic and non-surgical options on my own first, before taking any drastic measures. Incredibly, mission accomplished!
I tried everything—physical therapy, cryotherapy, CBD tinctures and creams, PRP (platelet-rich plasma infusion), you name it. However, it wasn’t until I began infrared sauna therapy that I experienced a dramatic improvement in the healing process. Not only was I in significantly less pain in the short term as well as long(er) term, I was now able to sleep peacefully through the night, sit comfortably through date night dinners and car rides beyond fifteen minutes, and actually resume moderate cardio and stretching-based exercise.
Now I have always known about the incredible health benefits of infrared saunas, but I also know that spa appointments can often be costly and difficult to schedule, so I began exploring at-home options. I finally settled on a portable one (complete with heated foot pad!) by SereneLife, and it was honestly one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Not only do I attribute it to helping tremendously in the remarkable healing of my injury, I continue to use it at least two to three times a week (preferably weekend mornings before the kiddos wake up!) to help with detoxification, muscle/joint aches and pains, immune system support, metabolism boost, heart health, and overall improvement in the condition and appearance of my skin. Yes, all true!
And even better, this home-spa is totally collapsible, so I can easily tuck it away in a small storage closet when not in use. It even has a little folding chair inside so I can read my book, catch up on emails or listen to a podcast or meditation while I relax in my pod. How perfect is that?
As for the optimal number of sauna sessions to receive health benefits, there is not a magic number, nor is it the same for everyone. For most people in good health (and cleared by their physician to use infrared sauna therapy), it can be used daily, for about 30-45 minutes per session. However, its best to start slowly and gradually build tolerance, and also to drink plenty of fluids before, during and after to prevent dehydration. Also, wait at least an hour after eating to begin a sauna session, and if at any point you feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous, end the session immediately.
The SereneLife homespa infrared sauna can be found on Amazon, but other at-home options are available on infraredsauna.com. Always check with your physician before using infrared saunas or sauna therapy. More questions? Feel free to DM us—we’d love to chat!