Sweating It Out

Saunas offer plenty of health benefits from pain reduction to improved circulation.

My husband was sick all last week and I thought I avoided getting whatever it was he had.

No such luck. 

The combination of his cold, and the germs I inevitably came in contact with being among a sea of 100,000 people at Expo West, conspired to get me sick. It's mostly in my chest in the form of a nasty cough, so today I went to a local boutique with Infrared saunas and sat in one for 30 minutes. 

Infrared saunas are a type of sauna that uses heat and light to help relax and detoxify the body. They omit infrared light waves that create heat in the body, causing you to sweat and release stored “toxins.” They use infrared light to heat the body from within rather than the air from without, as a traditional sauna does, and because of this, the saunas are able to operate at a lower temperature, usually around 157 degrees (instead of the 200 or so degrees most saunas operate at).

People sweat for anti-aging benefits, pain reduction, joint and muscle support, and improved circulation. Truthfully, I don't know how many of the claims are backed by science or if it's just a placebo effect, but as a person with chronic asthma, I do feel that it helps open my airways, allowing me to breathe easier. If nothing else, when I'm sick, it relieves congestion, making me feel relief from some of my cold symptoms.

Though sauna use is generally considered safe, you should check with a doctor or medical professional first, as some people have conditions that can lead to overheating and health problems from sauna use.

Anyone new to sauna use should start off gently at a lower temperature and shorter periods, and gradually increase the temperature and duration of sauna use. Take breaks or finish if you don’t feel well. Remember to hydrate accordingly during and after your sauna session.