Are you feeling stressed or having trouble sleeping? Do you have aches and pains? Do you want a detoxifying sweat, or simply need some “me time”?
The solution may be simpler than you think.
Melt away the pains of the day by booking an appointment at RelaxZone’s infrared spa—you won’t regret it!
Why a Spa?
They are warm, comfortable environments where you can disconnect and breathe without worry. They are peaceful places where you can focus on healing and rejuvenation. They are your own private island getaway in a vast ocean of work and family stress. In fact, the right spa treatment can go a long way, helping you to improve both your life and the lives of those around you.
No matter what ails you, whether it’s physical pain or mental stress, making your health a priority is always a good idea. After all, you work hard and people depend on you. You deserve a little rest and relaxation! So, if you’ve never experienced the benefits of an infrared spa treatment, now is the time to try one out. It may be the best decision you’ve made all year.
Infrared Versus Traditional Saunas: What’s the Difference?
Traditional saunas warm your body indirectly via intense blasts of warm air or steam. Infrared saunas, on the other hand, heat your body in a kinder, gentler fashion using infrared light lamps. This type of electromagnetic radiation heats only your body, as opposed to the surrounding air, which results in a slower, less intense and, overall, more comfortable experience.
The infrared sauna offered at RelaxZone in Richmond Hill is a treatment that feels like you’re being warmed by the summer sun without being subject to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. This type of infrared light is completely safe; it’s used in hospitals to keep newborn babies warm, as well as by doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists for healing purposes.
However, an infrared sauna is still a sauna, and your body will perspire! That’s why you’ll need to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated once you’re in there, as the heat from an infrared sauna will penetrate deep into your muscles and other tissues. A 20-minute session has many advantages for your mind and body, some of which are enumerated below.
1. Better Circulation
The heat you experience in a sauna lowers your blood pressure by stimulating the flow of oxygenated blood through your body as you relax and your blood vessels expand from the heat. This is called vasodilation, and it’s an essential part of an improved circulatory system. Better circulation delivers nutrients and oxygen to muscles, leading to higher energy levels. It also helps the body push toxins into the blood stream where they can be eliminated through the perspiration process. Better circulation also provides an overall benefit for people with various cardiovascular conditions, including heart arrhythmias. There is also evidence that better circulation reduces the risk of stroke.
2. Skin Purification/Detoxification
Better circulation can also lead to healthier skin. Many people find that the infrared sauna helps to:
- Clear up eczema or psoriasis
- Heal acne
- Speed up the wound-healing process
- Reduce scarring
These benefits are not only related to improved circulation. Cleaner, healthier-looking skin is also the result of the detoxification that accompanies a good sweat. Infrared saunas help the body maximize toxic elimination through perspiratory channels, and your skin improves over time as you detoxify.
Detoxification also results in better collagen production, which can reduce the signs of ageing, as collagen is the major component of the connective tissue that makes up your skin, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Regular sauna use has been shown to lead to clearer and tighter skin. It’s a good way to help you sweat out the impurities you’ve accumulated in your body.
3. Pain Relief for Muscles and Joints
Traditional saunas have been used for centuries to help with relieving pain, particularly muscle soreness after a workout. Infrared rays, however, penetrate an inch or more deeper into muscle tissues, helping to further relieve and reduce stiffness. People with the following conditions will greatly benefit from infrared saunas:
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle cramping
- Muscle spasms
- Systemic inflammation
- Injuries
People suffering from arthritis and related joint pain also find that heat is helpful. Heat treatments are also included in physical therapy because they decrease pain and muscle spasms, resulting in a faster recovery time. Time spent in the sauna can also increase flexibility, and people have benefitted from:
- An increased range of motion
- Better joint mobility
- Less friction in the joints
- Diminished stiffness
- Improved joint relaxation
4. Stress Relief and Relaxation
It may seem obvious, but relaxing in a hot sauna relieves tension. Whether you’re reading a book, listening to music, or meditating, soaking up the rays in an infrared sauna relaxes tension in the body, which leads to relaxation of the mind. Studies have shown that high levels of stress greatly impact the brain, and a reduction of stress can reduce everything from memory issues to anxiety to learning difficulties. Neuroscientists point to chronic stress as a cause of differences in grey and white matter in the brain, a change in the amount of neurons found in the brain, and an alteration to the size and connectivity of the amygdala—which is vital for processing emotions.
5. Better Sleep
Everybody has a better night’s sleep when they’re relaxed. An infrared sauna followed by a RelaxZone massage might be the perfect way to wind down at the end of the day. By raising your internal temperature just before bed, your body is induced to subsequently readjust its temperature, which leads to a cool-down and normalisation period that can lull you to sleep. This leaves you calm and relaxed, enabling you to sleep soundly through the night. It can also reduce your reliance on pharmaceutical sleep aids.
6. Weight Loss
Although any weight loss from the use of a sauna is temporary and mostly related to increased perspiration, a sauna session can still help you burn off a few extra calories. A recent study showed that infrared sauna use was similar to moderate exercise, only more relaxing. From that perspective, saunas can be a useful tool for those who cannot participate in traditional exercise programs due to medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular or respiratory problems. The deep penetrating heat may also reduce the appearance of unsightly cellulite. Bonus!
7. Immune System Support
We already mentioned the benefits of a sauna-related detoxification, but exposure to deep heat can also stimulate the body’s defence mechanisms. By correctly using a sauna on a regular basis (i.e., alternating between hot and cold), you can train your body to adapt to sudden changes in temperature. Forcing the body to cope with hot and cold temperatures can strengthen your immune system, and it’s referred to by fitness experts as environmental conditioning.
8. Improved Overall Health
While the results of studies vary slightly, people who regularly use a sauna see benefits, such as reduced risk of strokes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and premature death. Frequent sauna bathers also have a reduced risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies show that frequent sauna use leads to a reduced likelihood of:
- Lung illnesses
- Psychosis
- Headaches
- Various forms of inflammatory painful conditions, like arthritis
Try an Infrared Sauna at RelaxZone!
For the greatest benefits, we recommend that you use a sauna three or four times a week. And while you’re here, why not pump up the enjoyment to another level and get a massage, facial, or other treatment, followed by a cool shower?
Call us today at 289-234-8989 to schedule an appointment!