Relaxation, Detoxification, and Recovery: The Amazing Effects of the Infrared Sauna Blanket

Article by Katie Pierce

People are looking for ways to improve their health without having to go far, resulting in a lot of convenient gadgets that supposedly help. One of these is the infrared sauna blanket, a health craze that’s taking over the world. It’s basically a blanket with a plug, using infrared rays to heat your body directly and evenly.

If you’ve seen it across your social media feed, getting yourself one of these might have crossed your mind once or twice. Before you check that out, see how an infrared sauna blanket can help you in your relaxation, detoxification, and recovery needs. Allowing yourself the time and space to rest and revive can be part of your self-care routine.

First, Learn How to Use an Infrared Sauna

Advertising might’ve made the infrared sauna blanket as easy as plugging it in, getting inside, and presto. However, including these steps could help you gain optimal benefits as you enjoy your new health buddy. First, remember that an infrared sauna basket works wonders by encouraging your body to sweat. Make sure that you’re well-hydrated before and after each session by drinking plenty of fluids.

Next, preheat your blanket to the recommended temperature. The target temp depends on factors such as your body type, the duration you’ll be inside the infrared sauna, and even the size and specs of the device. It might take anywhere between 10 to 30 minutes. Of course, you’re free to adjust the temperature to a level you’re comfortable with. For starters, ideal temperatures are somewhere between 110° F to 118° F.

Also, make sure to take a warm shower before getting into the blanket. You wouldn’t want dust or debris from your other activities to leave a mark on the sauna device. Light stretches also help condition your body before the session.

Getting In: The Benefits of an Infrared Sauna Blanket

An infrared sauna blanket is a worthy investment, especially for those who are regularly exposed to the stresses of a busy and demanding life. Stress builds up and without a proper relaxation session to offset those negative vibes, it could have adverse effects. Here are a few benefits of infrared sauna blankets:

Relaxation

We’ve always associated warmness with happiness, and for a good reason. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry has shown a positive link between hyperthermia (or increased temperature levels) with treating depression. This could explain why a session under an infrared sauna blanket could help you feel relaxed, happy, and focused. There are neurotransmitters that respond to heat and when triggered, result in increased levels of serotonin in the body. Similarly, infrared sauna exposure can also lead to an increased release of the neurotransmitter dopamine and the hormone beta-endorphin. As a result, it can help improve your mood and help create a calming feeling.

Additionally, a session under the blanket could help you relieve those sore muscles. The controlled and steady application of heat all over your body helps improve blood circulation and ease the tension and stiffness in your muscles.

Recovery

By helping your body relax, an infrared sauna blanket can help you in another aspect: recovery. To start, an infrared sauna has been included for enhancing and speeding up muscle recovery programs. A study shows that the deep penetration of infrared heat at mild temperature and light humidity settings helps the neuromuscular system recover.

Other benefits of infrared sauna that have been studied by professionals around the world include its potential for vasodilating blood vessels. This means that when you’re in your infrared sauna blanket, not only your nerves and muscles are relaxed but also your veins, arteries, and capillaries. As they relax, they open wider, which in turn improves blood flow and increases oxygen circulation throughout your body.

There are other aspects of your health where regular exposure to infrared heat can help. It has been found to reduce fat mass in the body, improve sleep, and even help restore increased skin elasticity.

Also, as an aid in muscle recovery, it helps speed up muscle rehabilitation by helping you remove lactic acid, a “toxin” produced when you exert your muscles. When lactic acid accumulates at higher-than-normal levels, it results in sore muscles. However, lactic acid is not the only toxin removed with the help of infrared sauna blankets, which brings us to…

Detoxification

Sweating helps release some of the toxins in the body, and infrared sauna blankets help you achieve it easier. Compared to other forms of heating, infrared heating allows you to sweat at lower temperatures. Of course, it’s important to realize that sweating is the body’s response to increasing temperature, cooling itself down to maintain an optimal internal temperature.

Additionally, infrared heat evenly and consistently applied can help reach layers not accessible to ambient heat. A cardiologist and detoxification specialist told Cosmopolitan that IR penetrates deeper, allowing it to mobilize and burn fat. Also, hydration plays a significant part in your detoxification, so take note of the pre-sauna blanket preparations mentioned earlier.

Conclusion

At a time when everything is fast-paced, demanding, and strenuous, it’s great to have a relaxing and detoxifying aid that you can access anytime you need. Having regular access to an infrared sauna blanket has a lot of health benefits and with the proper preparation, you can optimize its effects even further. With regular diet and exercise, this helpful new gadget can speed up your transition into a better you.

Katie Pierce is a teacher-slash-writer who loves telling stories to an audience, whether it’s bored adults in front of a computer screen or a bunch of hyperactive 4-year-olds. Writing keeps her sane (most of the time) and allows her to enjoy some quiet time in the evening before she walks into a room of screaming kids (all of whom she loves dearly) the next morning.