An infrared sauna doesn’t have strict usage guidelines. A sauna session has a few simple steps that you can adjust to your need. There is a lot of space for experimenting to find out which way of taking a sauna is best for you.
Step 1: Preparing to take an infrared sauna.
Begin with turning on your sauna and setting the temperature you like. The most common temperature is 110-120 F, but experiment to find your unique comfortable temperature. Even more, you can find it pleasant to set temperature higher or lower at times – it can depend on your condition at the moment, on a season, on outside/inside temperature.
Now you have some time (10-20 minutes) while the sauna is warming up. One option to use this time is to take a warm/hot shower or a bath. It is reported that it can improve your sweating. Don’t forget to wipe water from your body before going to infrared sauna, because the wood of your sauna can get dark or warped after water. Some people do some physical exercises before sauna as it can shorten time it takes to begin perspire.
Think about what you plan to do while taking a sauna. Maybe now is a time to get a book from a bookshelf or print an article or to do some breathing exercises to become more relaxed and calm or to insert a CD in a player. Make a fresh juice or fill a glass of mineral water to enjoy it in a sauna.
While taking a sauna you’ll probably need some tools. One or two towels are recommended to wipe sweat as it will appear on your body. An aroma candle is another good idea.
In another words I recommend to spend time while your infrared sauna is heating in some activity that takes you away from everyday routine and concentrates you on a nearing sauna session and makes you more peaceful and relaxed. I believe that enjoying your sauna not only pleasant but can significantly increase overall healing effect.
Step 2: Taking an infrared sauna.
When the sauna is ready enter it and take a comfortable position. Don’t forget to set a timer. For first times reduce the duration of a session to 20 minutes, and gradually increase it in later sessions.
You can do a great amount of things while taking a sauna. You can just sit and enjoy the sensation how infrared rays heat you, how you begin to sweat, how your whole body becomes warm. You can meditate observing how you breathe in and out or do some different form of meditation. You can gently massage parts of your body (or let someone else massage them) to move the tissues to enhance the effect of sweating. Listening to music or watching a DVD player (some sophisticated infrared saunas can have a display and a DVD player installed) are additional options. As an infrared sauna has lower temperature and doesn’t involve steam and water as conventional saunas do, it has much broader range of possible activities. However the temperature in an infrared sauna is still high and it can be hard to concentrate in such environment, so I don’t recommend performing any intellectual tasks.
Try taking a sauna with lights off, maybe you will like this experience. If you feel it’s too hot, ventilate sauna cabin by ventilation window (many saunas has one) or simply by opening a door for a short time. Don’t forget to wipe sweat from your body from time to time as it will lead to more intense sweating.
An infrared sauna can cause hyperthermia and should be used with care. As a general rule, if at some moment you will stop sweating or feel bad and uncomfortable, go out of the sauna immediately. Never use a sauna after alcohol intake and don’t drink alcohol while taking a sauna. If you have a fever or just feel bad it is better not to take a sauna. Don’t force yourself into taking a sauna. It should be pleasant activity. It is strongly not recommended to sleep in sauna.
How much clothes should be on you when you go into sauna? No clothes are best, but bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt are ok. But know that cloth blocks infrared rays and does not allow them to reach your body.
How often you should take sauna sessions? Start with once or twice per week. Most people are fine with this schedule. Then you can try to adjust frequency as you will feel appropriate.
Step 3: After the sauna.
It is very important not to rush in hurry right after the sauna. I recommend scheduling your time in such way that you will have at least 15 minutes of free time after the sauna. First and most important rule is to allow your body to cool down a little. Immediate switching to cold environment can be a shock for you organism.
Then take a shower of bath to wash away sweat. Try not to use soap or gel. Your pores are open after sweating and chemicals can easy clog them and penetrate into your body.
Your sauna which gave you such a wonderful sauna session deserves some attention too. Turn it off and unplug from an outlet, and then wipe with soft cloth any sweat or water that could left on it. It will make your sauna to stay new and serve you longer.
At this I want to finish this small overview of a sauna session. Enjoy your sauna!
