Benefits
Benjamin Franklin said there are only two things certain in life: death and taxes. Well, we have another one to add to that list - sweat.
So, why is sweating such a huge part of our health and wellness and how does regular sweating via infrared heat improve our livelihood? Let’s find out…
Infrared Heat
Every living thing needs infrared heat in order to function at optimum health. As you indulge in a Sona Rooms sauna treatment, the radiant infrared heat surrounds you and enters your body. It deeply penetrates your joints, muscles and tissues which helps to increase oxygen flow and circulation. This promotes the removal of impurities from cells, specifically those inside fat where the body stores waste and other harmful toxins including cholesterol and heavy metals. When we say “sweat it out” we mean that quite literally.
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Infrared saunas help you become the best version of yourself in many ways, but the infrared heat, in particular, is perfectly suited to promoting weight loss…while you relax. As you sit in the sauna, the infrared heat will gently surround you, enticing your body to sweat which gets your heart working faster, boosting circulation and increasing your metabolism, simultaneously burning calories left, right and centre.
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If you’re a sufferer of sporting injuries, everyday aches and/or chronic pain, infrared sauna treatment can change your life for the better! The increased blood circulation brought on by infrared heat carries off metabolic waste products and delivers oxygen-rich blood to oxygen-depleted muscles, aiding them in their recovery process and relieving tension. Your peripheral blood vessels will dilate, promoting relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. You’ll also feel a reduction in soreness on nerve endings and muscle spasms as joints and fibres are warmed.
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Fever is the body’s reaction to illness. Part of its purpose is to strengthen and accelerate the immune response when the body is attacked by harmful organisms. When you enter an infrared sauna, you are allowing your body to enter a state of “artificial fever”, effectively strengthening your immune system without being sick. Combined with improved elimination of toxins and wastes via sweat, this “artificial fever” increases your overall health and resistance to disease. We’re ready for you, flu season!
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Now, this is one of the biggest benefits of an infrared sauna session – a natural, full-body detox. The increased ability for blood circulation and sweat gland stimulation brought on by infrared heat helps to effectively and efficiently release built-up toxins throughout the body. Daily sauna visits can help your body rid itself of highly toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, nickel and cadmium, as well as alcohol, nicotine, sulfuric acid and other organic and inorganic nasties. They’ve even been shown to help drug-dependent individuals have an easier time getting through the detox/withdrawal process of rehabilitation.
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Feeling a little rundown? By scheduling a visit to Sona Rooms anytime throughout your day, you can enjoy a gentle, warm session that will help you feel relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to face life and everything it throws at you with renewed energy. Infrared saunas have been shown to affect the autonomic nervous system, putting you in the parasympathetic state (aka “rest and digest”) which gives your body a chance and a little helping hand to heal and release built up tension.
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Does your skin show evidence of impurities? A visit to Sona Rooms is just what you need to promote a fresh, clean glow within your skin. Profuse sweating rids the body of deeply embedded impurities and dead skin cells that can cause our skin to age prematurely. Increased circulation draws nutrients to the surface of our bodies improving tone, elasticity, texture, colour and the general aesthetic of our skin.
Ice Baths
Ice baths, also known as cold water immersion, have been studied for various health benefits. According to research by Dr. Susanna Søberg, an expert on cold and heat as stress management tools, ice baths can have several physiological effects. Here are some key benefits based on her studies:
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Unlike white fat, which stores energy, brown fat burns calories to generate heat. Cold exposure from ice baths can activate brown fat, potentially aiding in weight management.
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Regular cold exposure may enhance glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, which can be beneficial for overall metabolic health.
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Cold exposure can trigger the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which may improve energy levels, mood, and focus.
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Ice baths can act as a form of stress that, over time, may make the body more robust and resilient to other forms of stress.
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There is evidence suggesting that cold water immersion can reduce chronic inflammation and aid in muscle recovery after exercise.
Contrast Therapy
Contrast therapy, also known as contrast bath therapy or hydrotherapy, involves alternating between hot and cold temperatures to treat various conditions and improve recovery.
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Hygiene is of utmost importance to both our establishment and the community. To maintain our high standards, we request that you follow these guidelines:
Initiate your session with the sauna, then shower to cleanse, and conclude with an Ice Bath immersion for no longer than 3 minutes.
Swimwear is required in the Ice Bath/Immersion tub.
Rinsing before entering the Ice Bath is compulsory, even when undergoing multiple cycles.
Your cooperation is essential in upholding the hygiene standards we cherish. Thank you.
Here are some of the benefits associated with contrast therapy:
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Athletes may find that contrast therapy helps alleviate post-exercise fatigue, with research suggesting it helps team sports players recover from fatigue 24-48 hours after the game.
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Known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), the discomfort that comes after intense exercise may be mitigated by contrast therapy, which has been shown to improve both soreness and muscle weakness better than passive resting alone.
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The rapid changes in circulatory system from hot to cold water can help relieve various injury symptoms by causing a pump-like action in the blood vessels, which may increase circulation into tissues.
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While active therapies are generally more effective, contrast therapy can be used as an adjunct to help manage pain.
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Athletes use contrast therapy to speed up recovery after injuries, treating muscle damage, sore or painful muscles.
Chromotherapy
Chromotherapy, also known as Colour Therapy, is an alternative holistic treatment used to improve health and wellbeing. Chromotherapy produces different colour lights within an infrared sauna to create positive change within your body as a meditative aid.
Red
Activates the circulatory and nervous system to increase your energy levels.
Strong Yellow
Strentgthens the body and acts on internal.
Strong Blue
Reduces stress and nervous tension. Lubricates joints and fights infections.
Strong Pink
Acts as a cleanser, strengthening the veins and arteries.
Yellow
Reactivates and purifies the skin. Helps with indigestion and bodily stress.
Blue
Calms breathing and heart rate. Lowers blood pressure, helps insomnia and headaches. Reduces overall pain.
Pink
Activates and eliminates impurities from the blood stream.
Green
Acts as a relaxant and fights depression. Regulates the pituitary gland, calms nervous system and insomnia.
Indigo
Helps eye inflammation, cataracts, glaucoma and ocular fatigue.
Orange
Energises and eliminates localised fat. Addresses asthma and bronchitis.
Strong Green
Regenerative stimulation, fights infections.
Violet
Relaxes muscles, relieves headaches and arthritis pain. Purifies body and assists with detoxification.