Although built to accommodate two, this model is better suited to a single occupant
In my wife’s never-ending quest to live forever, she recently announced her intention to purchase an in-house infrared sauna. She listed the key benefits as removing toxins and heavy chemicals from your body, treating long-term health issues including high blood pressure, lowering the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s, reducing the possibility of Type-2 diabetes, and others. I looked at the price for a two-person sauna and made my own announcement – NO WAY!
Approximately 12 weeks later, a 780-pound wooden crate – shipped from Ontario, Canada – arrived in our driveway with instructions that promised a “quick one-to-two-hour assembly period.” It probably took my handy neighbor a little less time than that to put all the pieces together as I handed him the necessary components and tools and wiped his brow from time to time (more significant sweating to come later). The sauna took its rightful place in our basement, not far from our Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization unit (which removes nearly 100 percent of all airborne contaminants) and just one floor below our Reverse Osmosis water treatment system, which is billed as the best purification system available. Both are stories for another day.
Now it was time to learn how to use the sauna (ha-ha: if you know my wife, she figured that out weeks ago). The steps are: hit the on button, strip down to your birthday suit, bring a glass of water filled with electrolytes, grab plenty of towels, step in and be prepared to sweat for 30 to 60 minutes. Within 10 minutes, the temperature elevates to approximately 80 degrees before reaching about 115 degrees at the end of the session. The maximum temperature is 131 degrees but that requires a reset after one hour. Once finished, waste no time to wash all the toxins off your body with a cold shower, with the lowest temperature you can tolerate. Repeat this four-to-five times per week and start feeling and seeing the benefits.
We have been using the sauna for about five weeks and, according to my wife, this is what we expect to experience over the long-term: the stimulation of collagen production, which will prevent premature skin aging; improved blood circulation; more efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, which will encourage cellular repair; less chronic pain and stress; reduced symptoms of depression; and improved sleep quality.
Maybe you are convinced to drop everything and rush out to buy an indoor sauna – or possibly you need more research – but the most important thing to know is that not all saunas are created equally. The process was simple for us, based on a recommendation from our holistic veterinarian, who instructed us to purchase an infrared sauna from a specific company for reasons I will soon explain. Wait – what – holistic vet? Now there are three more stories to tell you later.
Assembly is easy and quick, providing you have an extremely handy neighbor
An infrared model is preferred because it utilizes infrared light to penetrate and heat the body directly, rather than a traditional sauna, which heats the air first. The infrared process is considered more effective at penetrating muscles and joints, and is more comfortable to use and operate. Buy from a reputable company that doesn’t use glue and other toxic materials, and be especially aware of those products manufactured in China and relabeled for sale in the United States. The poor quality is known to cause these saunas to fall apart or catch fire.
So, I figure I have two to three months before my wife hatches the next “live forever” idea, with my predictions ranging from a cryotherapy machine to an ice tub. Because I am 100 percent confident that she will never read this article, I can admit that she is right most of the time – OK, OK ALL the time. Now I am starting to hear about the dangers of eating food processed with seed oils. This just never stops and I am indeed happy about it.
Larry Lichtenauer is President and Founder of Lawrence Howard & Associates, a full-service public relations and communications agency. When not sweating profusely in his basement, he can be reached at larry@lawrencehoward.com.
