An infrared sauna is a sauna that heats its occupants with infrared heaters that emit infrared radiant heat. Unlike traditional Finnish Saunas, infrared saunas do not use steam, (which heats the air, and thereby the user) but instead use infrared radiation to directly heat the user.

Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves. The radiation hits the surface of the body and heats through a process called conversion, instead of heating the air around you.

Ancient healers and modern eastern cultures are well aware of the radiant healing energy of the sun. This knowledge is only recently being appreciated in the west. It is accepted that all energy on the planet comes from the sun. Heat drives the universe. Plants thrive only in sunlight, or under artificial wide spectrum lights. A visit to your local pet store would reveal that reptiles are kept healthy by a constant dosage of infrared heat from infrared lamps. Infrared heat is also used to keep food warm in restaurants. When a person dies, the breath leaves the body, followed immediately by the loss of all heat. The radiant heat of the body is in the infrared range.

Live bodies continually absorb and emit heat, and as previously mentioned, this infrared heat has its origin in the energy of the sun. The balance between the absorption and emission of energy is necessary to health. Energy is absorbed by the body is through the intake of food and drink, and also through sunlight. Food, drink and sunlight are all naturally healing entities and necessary for the maintenance of life.

After its discovery in modern times, electricity began to be used for heating and lighting by the means of currents flowing though elements or filaments. Electrical heat is widely used to heat homes. What is felt as heat is the body’s response to natural electromagnetic radiation emissions. Infrared heat lamps are different from lamps used for electrical lighting because of the design of the filament. The elements used for infrared lamps and heaters use low amounts of energy and heat efficiently. The chemicals in the element of infrared heaters, when heated by electrical currents, emit light in the Near Infrared, Middle Infrared, Far Infrared and Far-Far Infrared spectrums. Near infrared is close to visible light and Far Infrared red is invisible, but for the general purposes, using the word ‘infrared’ is sufficient. In infrared lamps, the bulb can be clear, red, or frosted inside. The wattage of electricity is what determines the strength of the infrared heat emitted.

Infrared heaters used in sauna cabinets for sauna purposes are called infrared saunas. Infrared heaters, similar to infrared lamps, pass electricity though chemical based elements to give off electromagnetism in the infrared spectrum. In the infrared saunas, these radiant electromagnetic waves are reflected onto the body. The body is heated by this radiant heat, but the surrounding air is not. Infrared heat is considered safe enough to keep newborn babies in hospitals warm. Therapy in an infrared sauna is called whole body therapy.

The tradition of using and enjoying saunas is rooted in ancient healing and meditation practices. An infrared sauna can even be used for daily meditation. The benefits of having 15 minutes or so to yourself in a healing environment, away from the cares and worries of the world, de-stressing, is a source of utmost physical, mental and spiritual contentment.

Here at Healthy Living we choose a Infrared Sauna with Color Therapy for extra healing benefits. Be sure to ask us for specifics when visiting.