The health benefits of saunas have been well documented, with many studies even revealing how regular saunas reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, headaches, type 2 diabetes and arthritis.
A 20-year study by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland found that middle-aged men who went to saunas four to seven times a week had a much lower risk of death than those who only went once a week. If anyone knows about saunas, it's the Finns.
The health benefits of infrared saunas are roughly the same as those of traditional saunas, with the added advantage of not having to endure excessive temperatures, including the following:
relax
The most obvious and important benefit of infrared saunas is that they are relaxing and enjoyable. Stress has a myriad of negative side effects, and if a warm and relaxing infrared sauna can help eliminate some of them and leave you feeling relaxed and happy, that's already a victory.
Better sleep
Similar to relaxation, infrared saunas can help you sleep better, even for people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Relieve sore muscles and joints
One of the most common reasons to go to an infrared sauna is to help relieve sore muscles. If you do a particularly hard workout, being in the sauna can help reduce muscle soreness. Similarly, those who suffer from joint pain or arthritis can also benefit from infrared saunas.
Improve blood circulation
Infrared saunas have been shown to produce oxidation. An increased heart rate means more blood flows to your extremities, and your body increases basilar dilation (the opening of arteries) as it tries to cool itself. Some small trials have shown that inflammatory markers in the blood improve with treatment. Improving circulation and blood has also been suggested to increase collagen production for clearer, firmer skin.
While there isn't much concrete evidence for the broader health benefits of infrared saunas at the moment, it's safe to say there aren't any risks. This is not to be confused with the use of UV tanning beds with potentially harmful UV rays. Infrared is completely harmless and is placed more safely along the spectrum than natural light.
After all, if you find saunas relaxing but don't like excessive heat, it's definitely worth trying an infrared sauna.