The concept, called hormesis (which you can read all about here), states that periodic stressors will trigger a cellular response that may slow aging, better equip you to manage future stress, and enhance overall health. Case in point: infrared sauna therapy. Compared to traditional saunas, which use some form of physical heat (wood or stones heated by fire, gas, or electricity) to raise the temperature, infrared saunas rely on infrared light, a wavelength invisible to the human eye that presents itself through heat. To dig a little bit deeper into the benefits of infrared sauna therapy, mbg chatted with functional medicine experts who share their thoughts and the best at-home options to buy. So one major benefit, according to psychiatrist and doctor of osteopathic medicine Roxanna Namavar, D.O., is that infrared saunas are more tolerable to people sensitive to heat while still putting the body under just the right amount of stress. “When we stress our hormones out a little bit, we get great results in the long term. It’s a concept written extensively in medicine,” functional medicine doctor and mbg Collective member Amy Shah, M.D., tells us. Exercise or intermittent fasting are two examples, Shah explains, noting that “saunas are another stressor with beneficial downstream effects.” Some of those benefits may include better sleep quality and improved energy. And though more research is needed to back up these claims, one small study found that participants experienced an increase in melatonin production2 and better sleep quality following infrared light therapy, which ultimately led to greater athletic endurance. “Studies have looked at the impact of infrared saunas on conditions such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, headache, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, and found evidence of benefit3,” Namavar says. While more research is necessary to bolster these findings, Namavar notes, based on current understanding, there are “no negative effects from utilizing infrared therapy.” If you’re thinking about trying sauna therapy, we recommend chatting with your doctor to find out if it’s the right tool for you. Whether your doctor recommends it for specific health reasons, or you’re interested in saunas for the spa-like self-care benefits, here are some of the best at-home options on the market. These beds are “top of the line, super effective, and beautiful,” Cole tells mbg. “Sunlighten saunas have been a great tool in the protocols I develop for [my patients] over the years,” he adds. And he’s not the only one. Experts like Dave Asprey and Dr. Amy Meyers give Sunlighten saunas their stamp of approval too. Clearlight accounts for this concern by block all EMFS, which are frequencies below 300 hertz, as well as ELF or extremely low frequency fields between 3 to 30 hertz. Despite this difference, the saunas use both far-infrared light and a full-spectrum heating system. The interior contains an ergonomic bench, as well as ambient lighting (you can choose from one of 12 colors) to really get you in the comfort zone. And because sharing is caring, we suggest the Sanctuary 2 sauna—fit for two! If you need a bit more space to host friends and family, you can always upgrade to one of the brand’s larger indoor full-spectrum picks, such as the Sanctuary Retreat, which is ADA-compliant, or the slightly slimmer Sanctuary Yoga. Both offer enough room for four people, have removable benches, and incorporate full-spectrum far-infrared light. Mindbodygreen community perk: Receive one free Ergonomic Back Stretcher with your purchase using code mbgperk. Community Perk: mindbodygreen readers can save 15% on their HigherDose blanket purchase with code MBG15. Mindbodygreen community perk: Receive one free Ergonomic Back Stretcher with your purchase using code mbgperk. “The sauna is amazing. I purchased it for recovery after my workouts and for relaxation. It heats up quickly and is comfortable to sit in,” another writes. The sauna reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit and comes with a remote control so you can easily adjust the temperature and time spent in the heat.
