Sweat it out with an Infrared Sauna at LondonCryo
A sauna is a great way to relax, refresh and rejuvenate your body at the end of a long day. But which type of sauna should you choose? If you want the best results from your sauna session, then an infrared one is what you need. In this post we will explain why and give you five reasons for using the sauna at LondonCryo as an upgrade on the regular sauna.
What is an Infrared Sauna?
An infrared sauna heats the body directly through long-wave photon energy rather than warming up the air surrounding you. They are considered to be more effective than regular saunas- you get a deeper penetrationwith less exposure time to the heat, which is better for you skin and health in general. In-fact the science on the benefits of Infrared sauna use is growing all the time.There are many studies that now show how infrared sauna treatments can help with pain relief, athletic recovery and overall health. Not to mention the benefits of Infrared light which you can check out on our recent blog post on the benefits of Photobiomodulation Red Light is Essential and here’s why(< link to previous blog post on PBM). Our founder, Maria has sourced the best Infrared Sauna’s available designed by internationally recognised wellness expert and infrared researcher Raleigh Duncan (MD) CEO of Clearlight Sauna’s. Meaning clients at LondonCryo are able to access wellness technology well ahead of the curve.
Our Sauna’s are ultra-low EMF and here’s why that matters.
EMFs or electromagnetic fields consist of electric and magnetic energies that surround all electrical devices from microwaves to smart phones. They also sit around the wires in your home as well as your light bulbs and power outlets. Most people don’t think about EMFs, but they are all around us, affecting our health in a negative way without us even knowing it. Whilst it’s important not to get too concerned about low level exposure, frequent exposure to this type of radiation can damage your health, particularly high-frequency EMF’s which can damage DNA and cells. Hence, low EMF saunas (models that have a magnetic field that’s lower than 0.001mG) are the best choice for regular use- you get all the benefits without any of the risks associated with regular saunas that use high EMFs.
Be Your best for longer
Chris Chelios the “Iron Man” of the Hockey world attributes his many achievements (such as holding the record for the most games played by any active player of the NHL and 23-year professional career in the sport) to the use of Sauna. So do many other world-renowned athletes including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong #recoverlikeapro.
Okay so sauna feels great, helps you sleep a bit better, and aids sports performance but that’s probably all… there’s no way you’re actually going to live longer because you’re sitting in a Infrared sauna…or are you? Well now there’s literally countless studies linking Infrared sauna to longevity it’s kind of hard to deny. The question really is by how much? According to the largest systematic review(Laukkanen et al 2015) the risk of all-cause mortality was 40% lower among those who frequently used the sauna compared to infrequent users, independent of conventional risk factors. That’s a pretty astounding difference!
Four things your body can expect from an Infrared-Sauna session.
The benefits of Infrared Sauna are numerous and diverse. These hot houses can relieve depression, fatigue, insomnia and other stress related conditions while improving your mood by increasing serotonin production in the brain.Beneficial responses to infrared sauna include:
1) Heat shock proteins, which help prevent muscle damage from inflammation or injury & help protect our bodies from invaders like viruses or bacteria.
2) Nitric Oxide production – a substance that dilates pores and makes them wider for up to 24 hours so we sweat more efficiently improving performance (you should always aim for sweaty workouts).
3) Vascular tone increases due to higher core/lower extremity temperatures causing muscles to expand maximally without the risk of developing cramps.
4) Increased Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF). You know that feeling you get when your favourite song is playing, and suddenly everything feels right? Well, the same thing happens to our brain with the Infrared sauna. The sauna increases Neurotropic factor which helps us feel better by releasing endorphins (our bodies natural morphine)
The time old longevity hack – Contrasting therapy (Alternating Hot and Cold)
If your main aim in using an infrared sauna is to improve your health, there are some things that will provide even more benefit that just relaxing and sweating out toxins. -The best way to get the most health benefits is by combining it with other treatments- A good example of this would be combining Infrared Sauna with our Whole Body Cryotherapy (ppsst check out our fire and ice offer). In-fact combining the hot, dry environment of an infrared sauna with cryotherapy can have many health benefits. The contrast between these two treatments may be especially beneficial for those who are looking to increase their longevity because it produces adaptive molecules that fight against aging-related problems in cells and organs throughout your body (Petrofsky 2007).
Whether you choose an infrared one or a traditional sauna, the most important thing is that it’s safe and provides you with all of the benefits without any of the risks.
By Rebecca Nelson for LondonCryo
Our Whole Body Cryo service as well as infrared saunas and lymphatic drainage, red light photobiomodulation therapy, compression therapy, Cryofacials, slimming, toning and double chin services and IV drips are all available to book in our locations – LondonCryo City (located near Liverpool Street) and LondonCryo Belgravia (situated near the suburbs of Chelsea) and now at 82 St Johns Wood High Street, London