While relaxing in a balmy 45-degree infrared sauna is wonderful on its own, there are a few ways to enhance your session even further. Whether you’re recovering from a strenuous workout, want to warm your body up if you’ve been under the weather or simply need a 20-minute break to yourself, here’s how to make it even better.
Our top recommendation to boost the beautiful effects of infrared saunas includes stimulating more of your senses and including a few extra elements of self-care. Experiment with a few, or try all our infrared sauna tips and see how you feel.
Incorporating Aromatherapy
There’s nothing like choosing a fragrance to set the mood for your time in your infrared sauna. While you won’t have hot water like in conventional steam rooms, you can still easily incorporate aromatherapy into your routine. You can add a few drops of your essential oil of choice into a bowl of water and let it gently evaporate while you’re relaxing. You could also apply it diluted with a carrier oil onto your skin for a more direct application.
For calming the mind, lavender is always an exceptional choice. This soothing and relaxing fragrance is the perfect pairing for evening sauna sessions to help prepare you for sleep.
For those of you who simply want to contrast the heat of your sauna with something a little more cooling, peppermint is a wonderful option. Invigoratingly herbaceous, it’s ideal for those mornings when you need a little bit more help to get the day started. It also feels very soothing on tired muscles after a workout.
If you’re feeling a little congested and want something to amplify the detoxifying benefits of your sauna, eucalyptus might be the choice for you. It’ll help clear out your sinuses, helping to ease your breathing. Eucalyptus has also been shown to help with asthma symptoms, making it a powerful option for when seasonal allergies are at their peak.
Boost Skin Hydration and Glow With Skincare
Before you even get into the sauna, you could give your circulatory system a head start by dry brushing your skin. Not only does this help to polish away dry skin, but it’ll also bring more blood to the surface, preparing your body for the heat you’re about to step into.
When you’re in your at-home infrared sauna, your skin will benefit from the intense heat for a few reasons. First, you’ll begin to sweat, helping your body clear out residual toxins and help to purge anything trapped in your pores. Secondly, all the oxygen-rich blood that’ll be coming to the surface of your skin as your body tries to cool itself can help improve the appearance of your skin over time.
After you’ve stepped out of the sauna, it’s the perfect time to care for your skin a little more to enhance the heat’s effects. Taking a shower afterwards is the best way to rinse away all the sweat, along with the toxins your sweat has removed from your body. We recommend avoiding soap initially after your sauna, as your pores will be very open. Washing yourself with a soft cloth is a better alternative.
Following your shower, the outside of your body will need hydration just as much as the inside. Opt for a scented body oil, a lotion or a rich body butter to suit your skin type. While you’re still warm, it’s also an optimal time to apply topical remedies for things like achy joints or muscle soreness. Adding these elements to your routine will help to extend the tension-melting benefits that your sauna session has already delivered.
Meditation
Whether you’re relaxing on your own or sharing your session in a two-person sauna, it’s the perfect time to enjoy some mental relaxation, along with the physical. At Kiva Wellness, we’ve designed our saunas to come with Bluetooth connectivity, making it even easier for you to connect your phone and choose your audio while you relax.
Whether you put on a guided meditation, incorporate white noise and simply focus on your breathing or play music that calms your mind, it’s the perfect accompaniment to the heat. If you’re looking for a breathing technique to experiment with, we recommend trying the Wim Hof method. While it was originally created for use in ice baths, you can also use it while you’re in the sauna.
Along with the physical detoxification and relaxation, it’ll help cultivate your mind-body connection. If you’re also incorporating aromatherapy into your session, frankincense is a wonderful pairing to help open your mind while relaxing your body.
In-Sauna Hydration
While in the sauna, it’s essential to keep yourself hydrated. Whether you’re doing a short 20-minute session or a longer 40-minute session, you’ll need to take something to drink. You’ll lose a lot of fluids as you sweat, so replacing that before you leave is a must. We recommend avoiding caffeinated drinks while you’re in the sauna, as these can elevate your heart rate even further than the heat already will. Instead, opt for more neutral, calming and supportive choices that benefit your body.
While you can stick exclusively to water, if you want to enhance your infrared sauna sessions, you could also try incorporating something more unique. If you’re recovering from a cold, pairing your sauna session with an iced tea that uses warming herbs tea like ginger and sage can help your body from within. For post-workout recovery, taking an electrolyte drink will help replenish your body faster, replenishing the nutrients and minerals your body needs for a faster recovery.
After you finish your sauna session and your body adjusts back to its normal temperature, swapping to room temperature or warm drinks can add a comforting finish.
Create a truly custom and personalised experience in your sauna, whether with one of our infrared sauna tips or with the addition of accessories that make the experience even more comfortable.
If you’re looking for advice on choosing the best sauna for you, contact our team for more information.