Podcast Episode Turned Blog Post 3

Title: Ask Jen: Infrared vs. Traditional Saunas:  Which Is Better & Why? Benefits, Safety, and Best Practices for Detox & Wellness

Blog: As the leaves change and the air becomes crisp, it’s the perfect time to return to basics and prioritize healthier routines.

Fall is a season of transition – a time to clear out the old and welcome the new. 

It’s an ideal time to create a wellness escape at home to detoxify, relax, and recharge. One of the best ways to do this is by adding an infrared sauna into your daily routine. Not only does it help you feel better, but it also makes your home an ultimate spot for wellness.

Today’s “Ask Jen” minisode walks you through the benefits of infrared saunas, how they differ from traditional saunas, and practical tips for using and maintaining them. 

If you want to feel your best this fall, infrared saunas can help you get there. They can make your home a place of comfort and health. Infrared Saunas vs. Traditional Saunas

Question 1: What is an infrared sauna and how is it different from a traditional sauna?

Jen’s Answer: Both infrared and traditional saunas offer wonderful wellness and therapeutic benefits. The difference lies in how they heat your body. 

Traditional saunas work by heating the air space, which in turn forces our body to sweat. I always describe it as a hot box or a hot air space. This method primarily leads to surface-level sweating. 

Meanwhile, infrared saunas use invisible light to heat your body from the inside out. It’s like the sun, but without the harmful UV rays. The deep, penetrating heat targets below the skin and into our muscle tissue and fat cells. 

Many of you know my story already. I discovered infrared saunas after struggling with heavy metal toxicity. Burdened with mercury and lead that had crossed the blood-brain barrier, I needed a safe way to detox. Infrared saunas stood out as one of the most effective methods.

The radiant, dry heat is the secret behind an infrared sauna’s power. It increased my core body temperature and tapped into my cellular system to draw the toxins out of my tissue and fat cells. That’s the difference – that’s what makes an infrared sauna so much more effective at detoxifying the body.

Here are some top health benefits of infrared saunas:

Heightened Detoxification: Helps eliminate toxins from deep within the body.

Relaxation: Activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and promoting mental health.

Weight Loss Support: Helps burn calories and supports weight loss efforts.

Overall Health Improvement: Aids in the reduction of chronic pain and improves sleep quality.

Improved Circulation: Stimulates blood flow helping in recovery and overall health.

Better Skin Health: Improves skin tone and texture by promoting blood circulation and sweating out impurities.

A lot of people are curious about how heat is generated in an infrared sauna. I will discuss Clearlight saunas since that’s the brand I am familiar with and trust.

When you step into a Clearlight sauna, you’ll notice the black panels on the walls. These panels, which are safe to touch, give off heat in a 360-degree radius around you. This design ensures that your entire body, right down to your legs, warms from every angle. Ideal Temperature in Infrared Sauna Question 2: What temperature range is ideal in infrared saunas?

Jen’s Answer: For optimal results, I recommend an infrared sauna temperature range of 115 to 135 degrees. This range is perfect for promoting relaxation and detoxification without causing discomfort.

If you’re a heat warrior like me and prefer a hotter, heat experience, 135-150 degrees is a great range for kicking it up a notch! Some days I crank it for a deep, detoxifying sweat session and others I’m more in the mood for a gentle, relaxing warmth.

I usually pair my sauna time with my workout or yoga routine. I have to tell you though, some days I feel a little dehydrated or less energized. So on days like that, I turn down the temperature a bit and cut my sauna session short if needed. 

As I always say, listen closely to your body’s signals. Honor what it needs and adjust as needed.

If you’re new to sauna therapy, always go low and slow. It’s best to start on the lower end and gradually increase the temperature as your body adapts. 

To get the most out of your infrared sauna sessions, keep these tips in mind:

Keep the heaters on: This helps the sauna maintain its optimal performance, ensuring you receive the full benefits of the infrared heat.

Use white towels: It’s important to use towels that are not color-dyed. Towels help soak up toxins released during your session, making cleanup easier.

Safety first: Infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures, making them generally safer for kids.

Check with a healthcare professional: Always ask a healthcare professional before letting your kids try sauna treatments.

One of the many advantages of infrared saunas is their cost-effectiveness and low-maintenance nature. Here’s why they’re a valuable addition to any home wellness routine:

Easy Setup: Most infrared saunas can be plugged into a standard wall outlet.  You don’t have to make any upgrades to your electrical box.

Low Maintenance: Simply use towels and wipe surfaces regularly with a non-toxic cleaner. No moisture, steam, special ventilation, or high-maintenance cleaning needed.

Energy-Efficient: Running an infrared sauna costs 25-35 cents per hour. It’s an easy and affordable way to relax regularly.

Regular Sauna Use Question 3: How often do I use my sauna?

Jen’s Answer: I use the sauna 3 to 4 times a week. I usually pair it with my workout. Once in a while, it even becomes my workout. 

A couple of times a year, usually in the fall and spring, I go all in doing sauna and cold plunge every day for a whole month. It’s the first thing I do when I get up in the morning and it really sets the intention for my day.

I often do this routine in January or February too, right after the holidays. It’s a great way to reset and realign after a busy couple of months of travel.

I’m sure many of you have seen the lovely before and after photo that lives on my website. If you haven’t please do check it out! Years ago, I was not well and needed to lose a lot of weight. I lost about 125 pounds, roughly half my body weight. A significant part of that was from the infrared sauna’s ability to burn calories and speed up my metabolism.

Clearlight®️ Infrared Sauna Review

As we wrap up, I’d like to share a moving testimonial from someone who bought a sauna for his home.  His feedback is a reminder of the positive changes a sauna can bring.

“Jen, I am writing to tell you how much I love my sauna and how it’s changed my life. First and foremost, I’m a career firefighter and have battled cancer twice in my life. I bought my sauna to not only help with chronic aches and pains but also to detoxify my body from the toxic overload I take on every day in hopes I stay in front of another health crisis. I want to tell you I use my sauna every day, and within the first week, the pain in my lower back and shoulders is nearly nonexistent. That nagging issue has been a problem for me for almost 20 years. Also, I am now sleeping six to seven hours straight without waking up. I’m finally getting a good night’s sleep. Prior to the sauna, I can’t recall the last time I slept through the night – it’s been long overdue. Last but not least, my mental health has greatly improved. It’s something I’m not only grateful for, but my wife, my kids, and my grandkids are too. Thank you for taking the time to answer all my questions and help me with this investment. You are one of a kind. P.S. You are right – I’m going to need to buy a lot of white towels.” - Jeff from Florida Resource: Start Creating Your Dream Wellness Space With My Easy Home Wellness Checklist. Packed With Helpful Tips, It’s Your Go-to Guide for a More Organized and Peaceful Home.