The Healing Power of Infrared: How Infrared Therapy Can Support Hormone Health, Mental and Physical Well-being
When I discovered infrared saunas, I realized they were more than just a wellness trend—they were a tool for profound healing, especially for women navigating the complexities of hormone health. Infrared therapy offers a holistic approach to managing stress, skin health, and hormonal changes, including those brought on by peri-menopause and menopause. It’s a practice that goes beyond just a sweaty session—it’s about reclaiming balance in a time when our bodies are going through so much.
This article will dive into how infrared therapy can support your mental and physical well-being, with a special focus on its unique benefits for women during different phases of life, including the peri-menopausal and menopausal years.
Infrared vs. Traditional Saunas: What’s the Difference?
Traditional saunas heat the air around you to a very high temperature (usually between 70-100°C), which then heats the surface of your skin. While this can certainly make you sweat, it often feels intense and can be difficult to tolerate for longer periods, particularly for individuals dealing with hormonal fluctuations.
Infrared saunas, on the other hand, use infrared light to penetrate the skin directly, heating the body from the inside out. The temperatures are typically lower, ranging between 45-60°C, making the experience far more comfortable and gentle. Infrared saunas focus on deep tissue heating, which offers unique benefits for detoxification, circulation, and overall well-being.
A 2019 study showed that infrared saunas are well-tolerated by individuals who experience heat intolerance—a common symptom during peri-menopause—making them an ideal option for women experiencing significant hormonal changes.
The Benefits of Infrared Therapy for Women’s Health
1. Stress Relief and Hormonal Balance
Stress has a profound impact on hormone health, affecting everything from menstrual cycles to cortisol levels. Infrared saunas help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “rest and digest” state. When activated, this system reduces stress and helps restore hormonal balance.
Regular sauna use is associated with a reduction in cortisol levels—the body’s main stress hormone. For women, particularly those experiencing peri-menopausal changes, lowering cortisol can help mitigate common symptoms such as anxiety, disrupted sleep, and irregular cycles.
2. Managing Symptoms of Peri-Menopause and Menopause
The journey into peri-menopause and menopause can bring a whole host of symptoms, from hot flashes and sleep disturbances to joint pain and mood swings. Regular sessions in an infrared sauna may help manage some of these symptoms by promoting a more balanced hormonal environment.
Hot Flashes: Contrary to what you might think, the infrared heat doesn’t exacerbate hot flashes. In fact, infrared therapy helps regulate the body’s temperature control, leading to fewer and less intense hot flashes over time.
Sleep Improvement: One of the most challenging aspects of peri-menopause is sleep disturbance. Infrared saunas help boost serotonin and melatonin levels, which are crucial for good sleep. According to Dr. Louise Newson, a leading UK menopause specialist, improving sleep quality is essential for managing menopausal symptoms, and using infrared therapy can be part of a natural approach to achieving this.
3. Detoxification and Hormone Metabolism
Detoxification is key to hormonal health, as it helps the body effectively process and eliminate excess hormones. Unlike traditional saunas, which mainly induce surface sweating, infrared therapy promotes sweating that penetrates deeper into the subcutaneous layer. This means more heavy metals, toxins, and hormone disruptors are released.
Research by Dr. Rhonda Patrick, a well-known health researcher, has highlighted that sweating via infrared saunas can help support estrogen metabolism, which is particularly beneficial for women in their peri-menopausal years, when hormonal imbalances can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.
The Skin Benefits of Infrared Therapy
Another fantastic benefit of infrared saunas is their effect on skin health. As women age, declining collagen production and increasing dryness are common concerns. The deep heat of infrared saunas stimulates blood flow to the skin, encouraging collagen synthesis and cell turnover.
Regular infrared sauna sessions helps improve skin texture, elasticity, and hydration by stimulating collagen and improving circulation. The increased sweating also helps clear out impurities, reducing acne and improving complexion —a much-needed benefit when fluctuating hormones lead to breakouts and skin issues.
Tips for Using Infrared Saunas Effectively
If you’re interested in incorporating infrared sauna sessions into your wellness routine, here are some practical tips for optimizing the experience:
1. Timing Is Key
• Aim for three sessions per week, each lasting around 20-30 minutes. During peri-menopause, this regularity helps support ongoing detoxification and hormonal balance.
2. Stay Hydrated
• Infrared saunas induce a significant sweat, so it’s crucial to drink plenty of water both before and after your session. Adding electrolytes can also be helpful in replenishing lost minerals.
3. Pair with Mindfulness
• Use this time to meditate or practice deep breathing. The relaxing heat provides the perfect opportunity to disconnect and relax, further supporting stress reduction and hormonal health.
4. At-Home Infrared Sauna Options
• You don’t necessarily need to visit a spa to benefit from infrared therapy. Companies like CurrentBody and HigherDOSE offer portable infrared saunas that are perfect for home use. This makes it easier to integrate infrared therapy into your weekly wellness routine without the need for frequent spa visits. Having your own at-home infrared sauna allows you to create a personalised wellness sanctuary and enjoy these benefits more consistently.
Where to Access Infrared Therapy in the UK
Infrared saunas are becoming increasingly popular across the UK, and there are several places where you can experience the benefits:
• Glow Bar London: Offers private infrared sauna cabins specifically designed for women’s wellness, complete with guided meditation
• Rebase London: An brand new social wellness centre with infrared saunas, cryo-therapy chambers, traditional saunas and hyperbaric oxygen.
• Beach Box Spa in Brighton: An amazing spot for combining the healing powers of infrared heat with sea swimming for a natural cold therapy contrast, which can further reduce inflammation and improve circulation.
Final Thoughts: Harnessing the Healing Power of Infrared
Infrared saunas are an excellent tool for supporting women’s health, particularly during the hormonal shifts that accompany peri-menopause and menopause. By helping to reduce stress, balance hormones, improve sleep, and support detoxification, infrared therapy offers a gentle yet powerful way to navigate the ups and downs of hormone health.
Whether you’re seeking relief from hot flashes, looking for a way to improve sleep quality, or simply wanting to support your body as it undergoes change, incorporating infrared sauna sessions can be a transformative addition to your wellness routine. Remember, small steps lead to big changes, and taking time to care for yourself is always worth it.
True wellness is all about finding balance in every aspect of your life. Whether it’s through movement, mindfulness, or self-care, small changes can make the biggest difference. For more wellness insights, check out my other posts on the Wellness page or join me on Instagram for daily wellness routines and motivation. Let’s create lasting well-being, together.
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