Warm up this Winter with Far Infrared Sauna

It's getting to be that time of year again, you know, that one that possesses a chill destined to work its way to your bones. For me, that means hot cocoa, warm soup, and frequent trips to hot yoga and the infrared sauna. Since our expansion at Theta Wellness Center, the infrared sauna has been a tool that we have had the opportunity to experiment with, especially in conjunction with our massage and flotation therapy services.

Here are some things we have discovered…

You Determine The Heat

The sauna is as intense as you want it to be. You decide whether you want to roast at 145 degrees or 120. It's not recommended to sit for longer than 45 minutes in the sauna either way, but you may find that the hotter it is, the less likely you are to reach the 45-minute mark. So if you are wanting a longer, more relaxing experience, start at a lower temp and work your way up. Here’s a quick read on the benefits of far infrared sauna therapy.

Combine It With a Massage

Some have said hopping in the sauna after a float or massage can sometimes eliminate that euphoric effect you have from those services. It is true, the intensity of the sauna can wash away that post-float glow or that mushy feeling you get from some deep-tissue knuckling. Others think it is the perfect compliment.

Related Post: Should You Use a Sauna Before or After a Massage?

Follow It With a Float

My favorite discovery so far is that when the sauna is used prior to floating, your float seems to be even more therapeutic. This makes sense when you think about it. If you have already floated, then you know that sometimes it can take a minute for your body to relax into a proper position. The more kinked up you are, the longer this can take. A quick 45-minute sauna session will get all those muscles heated up, ready to melt into the comfort of one of our float tanks. Several of our clients have discovered this as well and now jump in the sauna before every float. I don't blame them. After my first experience doing this, I was sold.

Related Post: Sauna and Cold Plunge Therapy: A Natural Approach to Health and Recovery

Tips for using the sauna

• Stay hydrated. Drink at least 12oz of water prior, and bring a water bottle if you can.

• If you're new to the heat, start your temp low, around 120, and raise it as needed.

• If you have CDs you would like to listen to, there is a CD player in the sauna.

• Some phones will turn off if they get too hot. We provide an aux. cable if you would like to play something from your phone. It is best to keep it outside of the sauna.

• Everyone is different, but most people have found that using the sauna prior to a float or massage is more beneficial than using it after.

• Intermittent cold shower sessions during your sauna is a great way to improve circulation, reduce blood pressure, and mitigate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

If you start to get light-headed or dizzy, get out of the sauna immediately and sit down.

Far Infrared Sauna in Springfield, Missouri

At Theta Wellness Center in Springfield, our 2-person infrared sauna has chromotherapy and can get up to temperatures of 150 degrees. Book now with us online to try it out today!

The Synergistic Benefits of Sauna and Fasting: A Powerful Combination for Wellbeing

Fasting has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its potential health benefits. Simultaneously, saunas have been used for centuries in various cultures for relaxation and rejuvenation. The combination of fasting and sauna usage offers a synergistic effect that can amplify the benefits of both practices. In this blog, we will explore the remarkable advantages of using a sauna while fasting and how it can contribute to overall wellbeing.

Detoxification Amplification:

Both fasting and sauna usage support the body's natural detoxification processes, making their combination a potent detox tool.

Fasting helps the body enter a state of ketosis, where it burns stored fat for energy, leading to the release of accumulated toxins.

When you couple this with a sauna session, the body's thermoregulatory response increases, promoting sweating. Sweating helps eliminate toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, and environmental pollutants, further enhancing the detoxification process.

Enhanced Weight Loss:

Fasting is renowned for its ability to promote weight loss by reducing caloric intake and improving metabolic flexibility.

Adding a sauna session to your fasting routine can amplify these effects. When you expose your body to the sauna's heat, it increases your heart rate and stimulates blood circulation, resembling the effects of moderate exercise. This can lead to increased calorie expenditure and fat burning, thereby enhancing your weight loss efforts.

Increased Autophagy:

Autophagy, the natural process of cellular renewal, is stimulated during fasting. It involves the breakdown and recycling of damaged or dysfunctional cells, promoting overall cellular health.

When you incorporate sauna usage into your fasting practice, it can further boost autophagy. The heat stress experienced in the sauna activates heat shock proteins that aid in cellular repair and rejuvenation, enhancing the autophagic process.

Mental Clarity and Focus:

Fasting has been reported to improve mental clarity and cognitive function. When you combine it with sauna use, the benefits extend further.

Saunas have a relaxing effect on the mind, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm. The increased blood flow and oxygenation resulting from sauna usage can enhance cognitive function, memory, and focus. This combination can provide a revitalizing experience, leaving you feeling mentally refreshed and energized.

Improved Sleep Quality:

Sleep is crucial for overall health and wellbeing. Both fasting and sauna usage have been linked to improved sleep quality. Fasting regulates hormonal balance and circadian rhythm, promoting better sleep patterns.

Sauna sessions, especially in the evening, can help relax the body and prepare it for a restful night's sleep. The heat-induced vasodilation and subsequent cooling of the body after the sauna can mimic the natural drop in body temperature that occurs during sleep, facilitating a deeper and more restorative slumber.

Increase in human growth hormone (HGH)

During fasting, insulin levels decrease, while counter-regulatory hormones such as glucagon and cortisol increase. These hormonal changes, along with the energy deficit created by fasting, may contribute to an elevation in HGH secretion.

Sauna use has been shown to boost HGH levels, especially when used while in a semi-fasted or fasted state. The proposed mechanism involves heat stress and increased core body temperature. It is hypothesized that the heat stress triggers a release of HGH, potentially through activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis.

Conclusion:

The combination of fasting and sauna usage presents a powerful synergy that can significantly enhance your overall wellbeing. From detoxification and weight loss to increased autophagy, mental clarity, and improved sleep quality, the benefits are numerous.

However, it's crucial to approach fasting and sauna usage with caution, especially if you have underlying health conditions. Consult with a healthcare professional before embarking on any fasting or sauna regimen to ensure it is suitable for your individual needs. When practiced safely, the combination of fasting and sauna usage can be a valuable tool in your wellness journey, aiding in physical, mental, and emotional rejuvenation.

What Is a Far-Infrared Sauna?

If you love a good sauna experience, you may have heard about the far-infrared saunas available. But what is it, and how is it different from the traditional Finnish sauna?

Theta Wellness Center has both and can explain what makes an infrared sauna different.

Far-Infrared Sauna

Traditional saunas use a heating element to heat the air inside the sauna to a certain temperature, which in turn makes the sauna user sweat. Typically these saunas have heated rocks that you can pour water over to create steam. Rocks are used because they absorb and retain the heat from the heating element. The sauna can get up to 185 degrees inside.

In an infrared sauna, however, the sauna is heated using special lights instead of the heating element. Far infrared simply describes where the light falls on the spectrum. 

Unlike a traditional sauna, the infrared lights don’t necessarily heat the room but heat the individual instead. This can be a more comfortable experience for those who don’t necessarily like the high heat of the traditional sauna room, as the far-infrared sauna temperatures stay between 120-150 degrees.

Many far-infrared saunas also utilize chromotherapy, and you can choose the color displayed. 

Benefits of Saunas

There are many benefits to using both types of saunas, including:

• Eased muscle pain and soreness

• Increased circulation

• Reduced stress

• Increased heart rate

• Improved skin issues like psoriasis

• Relieved symptoms of asthma

• Lowered blood pressure

• Reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s

A 2009 study also showed evidence that far-infrared saunas may reduce blood pressure and improve cardiovascular issues with regular use.

Another study in 2017 showed that regular sauna use correlates to a reduced risk of developing dementia and Alzheimers.

Far-Infrared Sauna in Springfield, MO

Theta Wellness Center offers both infrared and Finnish saunas for the 417 region and beyond. Let us help you become the best, most relaxed version of yourself. We also have flotation therapy, massages, and a cold plunge. Book online or call us at 417.812.5135.