Do you want to relax and rebalance after a long day? Have you considered using a sauna as an effective way to get rid of toxins, boost your immune system, and release stress? There are many arguments on whether infrared or traditional saunas are better, and whether one is more beneficial than the other. Let’s take look at the pros and cons of each type of sauna so that you can make an informed decision.
What are the health benefits of saunas?
A 2018 study conducted that saunas have a range of benefits, including increased blood circulation and metabolism, improved sleep & muscle recovery, skin rejuvenation, stress management and relaxation.
In more recent studies, there has even been proven benefits of saunas improving your cardiovascular health and improved heart function, because when your body heats up, your heart rate naturally increases and your blood vessels widen, the same way it would when completing regular to moderate exercise.
What is the difference between Infrared & Traditional Saunas?
Traditional Saunas have been around for thousands of years with proven health benefits, whereas infrared saunas are still relatively new.
Traditional Sauna
A traditional sauna is a that heats the air around you with stones or rocks that gradually heat until they are steamy hot which causes your body to release sweat. This heat helps your body sweat out toxins and relaxes your muscles. It also increases your heart rate which can help improve circulation. The temperature of the room can creep up to 100*C. Traditional saunas can get hot quite quickly, with the average time a person can sit in there being 10-30 minutes.
Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas emit a wavelength of light that your body absorbs without heating up the room around you. They focus on heating your body up with the light rather than the heat around you. Since the light waves penetrate deep into the skin, it can provide additional benefits such as improved flexibility, reduced joint pain, and increased collagen production. There are also different benefits depending on the colour of the LED light. For example,
Infrared heat up over time as you sit in the sauna, so they are more comfortable to sit in and people can stay in for longer, generally being around 40 minutes.
So which one is best for you?
Regardless of how a sauna is heated, or the humidity level, the effects on the body are similar, meaning that there’s black or white answer on which one is better.
At the end of the day, the decision comes down to you and which type of sauna you prefer! Both traditional and infrared saunas have their own unique benefits that make them appealing options for relaxation and detoxification. Traditional saunas have been long researched and therefore the benefits are more documented and understood, whilst infrared are relatively new so the research is lacking. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference when deciding which type of sauna is best for you! By understanding both types of sauna’s pros and cons, you will be able to make a decision that suits your lifestyle needs!
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