Why I Love Infared Saunas

There is a reason infrared saunas are getting a lot of attention right now. They are really good for you!  These saunas use high temperatures in conjunction with infrared waves that penetrate through the skin and muscles to create many health benefits.

4 Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas

1. Detoxification: According to Sunlighten, a spa that uses infared saunas, infrared saunas eliminate seven times more toxins from the body through sweating than traditional saunas. The waves create heat in the body, causing you to sweat and release toxins in the form of unwanted heavy metals and environmental chemicals.
2. Improved mood: The deep penetrating effects of the waves cause muscles to relax, alleviating post work-out soreness or even creating the same relaxing post-massage feeling. Infrared saunas are a great way to alleviate the physiological effects of a stressful situation on your body – it may even lower the stress hormone, cortisol while simultaneously boosting serotonin, a calming hormone.
3. Glowing skin: Sweating causes pores on the surface of the skin to open, eliminating toxins, excess sebum and bacteria. It also boosts collagen production which reduces wrinkles, fine lines and improves your overall skin tone (source). This post-sauna glow is one of my favorite things about using infared saunas!
4. Weight loss: Infrared saunas are supposed to simulate a cardio session and burn up to 600 calories (source) – all while you’re deeply relaxed. As your body tries to internally cool itself, your heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate increase, leading to the burning of calories.

5 Infared Saunas that I love in NYC:

Chill Space NYC  – Located in Midtown, Chill Space is perfect for anyone who is on-the-go because they offer an express sauna experience. They also provide organic and paraben-free shampoo, conditioner and body wash along with a luxurious shower to cool down after the session.

Vitality – Vitality offers individual and couples infrared saunas in a relaxed environment. Vitality is in Midtown West and has really great wellness packages that happen to include infared sauna experiences.

Upper West Side Yoga and Wellness – This quaint family friendly wellness center on the Upper West Side offers a newly introduced infrared sauna treatment which accommodates 1-2 people at a time. They also have one infrared sauna that operates at the relatively low recommended temperatures of 100 to 130°F making it suitable for people who can’t stand exceedingly high temperatures.

HigherDOSE – Featured on the New York Times, HigherDOSE offers a really cool Infrared Body Wrap which is wrapped around you as you lay on a massage table. You can also watch Netflix and listen to music all while getting detoxed, beautified and burning calories. They offer quick 30 minute or 60 minute sessions.

Cyrofuel – Cryofuel is my go-to for cryotherapy during the summer. I have a hard time getting cold in the winter, so love hitting up their infared saunas when it’s chilly outside.