As I continue to investigate locally on infrared heat therapy and other methods to BIOHACK the aging process as well as to speed up recovery and repair for athletes, I was curious about what is INFRARED heat? You can’t see it so what is it?
According to an infrared sauna center I found in Palm Desert, CA, their website explains infrared heat as…
Infrared is a section of the natural band of light that is not visible to the human eye, but can be felt as heat. Unlike the high heat produced in traditional saunas, infrared heat is able to penetrate the body to a depth of 1.5 to 2 inches. This stimulates the body’s cellular detoxification process more effectively and at a lower temperature than a traditional sauna.
The benefits of infrared saunas include
:
- Safe & Effective for all skin
- Manage & reduce pain & Inflammation
- Improve blood circulation
- Increase range of motion & mobility
- Helps wounds & injuries heal faster
- Minimizes fine lines, crow’s feet & wrinkles
- Rejuvenates hands, chest & thighs
- Improves the appearance of skin tone
- Stimulates the regeneration of collagen & elastin
- Increases circulation, providing healthier skin tone
- Helps reduce pore size & clears blemishes
- Stimulates metabolic function in skin cells
- Reduces the appearance of overall redness associated with conditions such as rosacea
I know my goal for 2018 is focused on biohacks to slow down the aging process and speed up my recovery time from workouts (and injuries) so why not invest in sauna infrared therapy? You get the benefits as above while relaxing and unplugging in dry heat! Ideally I want to buy one for my home so I can use it before bed on the nights I don’t work late (Mondays and Wednesdays) plus on the weekends in the afternoon.
The benefits are pretty motivating to me as I am on my journey in 2018 to REBUILD, REPAIR and RESET from the inside out to perform my best in daily life and sports. I do wish to compete again in running, cycling and triathlon events as it is fun and exciting to me- one of my “happy places” in life!
My major motivators to start using an infrared sauna weekly include:
- fat loss
- increased metabolism
- muscle pain relief (speed up recovery processes/healing time!)
- boost the immune system
- detoxification (big goal after parasite infection from swimming in bad water and drinking polluted water in Mexico!)
- improve appearance of celluite
- east join pain and stiffness (tight hips and back for me!)
- reduce stress and fatigue (yes on the contnuous road to recovery and rebuilding my adrenals/HPA Axis)
- improve skin = slowing down aging process (under eyes for me!)
Clearlight or Sunlighten Infrared Sauna? That is what I am now investigating! Which is the best choice for my home? OR to add as an added service at Fitness Forward Studio in Bellevue WA (then I will take at home when I retire!). Here is a link to check out products, prices and benefits…Infrared Sauna for work or home.
- the seven colors of a rainbow are visible lights
- Infrared rays and UV rays are invisible lights
- Infrared heat provides all the benefits of natural sunlight without the damaging effects of solar radiation.
- Infrared heat is used to treat a variety of diseases around the world
- Infrared rays are the healthiest as the heat penetrates into your skin deeply while dissolving harmful substances (toxins) accumulated in the body.
- Infrared waves, especially far infrared waves, can penetrate 1.5 to 2 inches or more into the body for deep heat and raise the core body temperature from the deep inside out.
- Infrared rays vitalize your cells and metabolism (HOW? on our next The WHOLE Athlete podcast…)
- FAR INFRARED WAVES: penetrate into our body to activate sweat glands which are one of our detox elimination pathways (sweating) to eliminate toxins (skin is the largest organ)
- When the far infrared waves are applied to water molecule (water is 70% of our body weight), the molecules begin to vibrate which reduces the ion bonds and eventually breakdown the water molecules which release trapped toxic gasses and toxic materials.
- FULL SPECTRUM INFRARED: includes near, mid and far infrared waves.
- NEAR: shortest wavelength – being absorbed just below skin surface creating a sweat to promote healing and revitalization. Range from 0.75 to 5.5 microns (same for mid infrared rays)
- MID: longer wavelength to penetrate deeper in the tissues to increase circulation and oxygenated blood to the injured tissue areas.
- FAR: longest wavelength penetrates deep into fat cells to create vasodilation to help fat cells vibrate which helps release toxins (aiding in detoxification). The far infrared also stimulate metabolism to help in weight loss. Wavelength of 6-12 microns.
Learn more below on the benefits and differences of an infrared heat sauna versus a traditional sauna (typical at health clubs). Listen and learn something new every week on www.thewholeathletepodcast.com or find us on your favorite podcast app or YouTube Channel.
