Healthy Holiday Gift Guide: The Sauna Edition

The holidays are right around the corner, and today it’s easier than ever to dig up online holiday gift guides jam-packed with the latest in electronic gadgets, home décor items, jewelry and more. But ask yourself, do your loved ones really need the latest handheld gizmo or an overpriced ring from the local strip mall jewelry store? Probably not. Instead, consider the gift of health and wellness this holiday season and choose a sauna to show your loved ones how much they mean to you. Let’s look at how an infrared sauna can help you and your family stay healthy during the holidays, and why they make such amazing gifts.

Saunas Promote Weight Loss

The holidays can be tough on the waistline, which is one reason why our New Year’s resolution lists tend to include at least one bullet point about losing weight. Saunas promote weight loss by increasing your metabolic rate during use. When your metabolism is elevated during sauna use, your body will naturally burn calories – even if you’re simply sitting in the heated space.

Saunas Detoxify the Body

Saunas, especially infrared saunas, deliver serious detoxifying benefits when used regularly. You’ll sweat profusely while in the sauna, and that creates a veritable river of sweat that effectively channels numerous toxins and junk out of your system. If good health is important to you and your family, a sauna is one of the few ways to truly clean up your system from the inside out.You’ll Boost the Immune System.

Notice how the body responds to an infection or illness with a fever? This is exactly why an infrared sauna is so beneficial for the user’s immune system. By creating an “artificial fever,” the deep heating of the infrared rays tricks the body into exercising its immune response – thereby strengthening the overall immune system and boosting your general resistance to illness.

Provides Pain Relief

If you or your loved ones suffer from achy joints, muscle pain or other musculoskeletal concerns, a sauna can be a saving grace. Muscles tend to relax when heat is applied, which promotes greater range of motion and flexibility – especially important if you plan on doing Yoga or light exercise while in the sauna. The circulatory benefits of spending time in a sauna can boost the transportation of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles, helping speed up recovery.

Stress Reduction

What can be better than delivering a gift of less stress this holiday season? Even a short stint in a sauna can help you and your loved ones feel more relaxed and ready to tackle the stresses of life. And, a sauna in the home removes an added stress – visiting the health club or gym and having to share a sauna with total strangers. The immune system boost correlates with a better ability to stave off illness, which can also boost your overall sense of wellbeing and minimize stress.

Improves Skin Tone

By safely elevating the heart rate and boosting circulation, an infrared sauna can reduce the appearance of cellulite and help remove impurities in the skin. The profuse sweating wash away dead skin cells, leaving your pores purified and beautifully clean. The enhanced blood circulation balances skin tone and texture, and users often report significantly better results when treating acne, psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions.

Helps Address Age-Related Joint Issues

The joints tend to tighten and stiffen with age, but infrared saunas have been used for years now to treat this debilitating condition. Having a sauna in the home can promote frequent use, and that may be therapy enough to help you or your affected family member feel better. Saunas have been used to treat muscle spasms, sprains, bursitis, neuralgia and other joint concerns.

Makes Exercise More Effective

Yoga is terrific, but have you ever tried hot yoga? Better yet, have you ever experienced hot Yoga in the comfort of your own home – without having to get in the car and drive to the fitness center? If you haven’t, consider this a huge benefit of having a sauna in the home. Yoga is amazing for the mind and spirit, and works wonders in creating a healthy body, and hot Yoga takes the entire thing and cranks it up a notch. Even simple exercises and stretching routines are more effective when performed in a sauna.

So infrared saunas make terrific holiday gifts, but which model is right for you and your family? The answer isn’t so simple, but there are a few questions to help you before ordering your personal relaxation chamber:

What are your size constraints?

It will save you time, money and hassle if your new sauna integrates easily into your allotted space. A compact unit like the Sanctuary 1 from Clearlight might be the answer.

What’s your budget?

Decide ahead of time what your budget is. Remember, though, that you’ll save your family time and money by installing a sauna in the home and foregoing that expensive fitness club membership. A high quality infrared sauna will last you a lifetime.

What features are important to you?

Have you considered the benefits of chromotherapy (light therapy)? Maybe a reservation mode is important to you. Or, specific cabinetry and glass designs are something you’ll want to consider. Today’s infrared saunas offer a variety of unique models with a range of diverse features.

Ordering a new infrared sauna this holiday season not only represents an incredible gift for your loved ones, it is also an investment in the health and wellness of your family. For more information about Clearlight infrared saunas, contact the sauna experts at Infraredsauna.com today!

How Infrared Saunas Boost Your Immune System

Unfortunately, getting sick is a normal part of life. Usually spread in highly populated settings like schools and offices, but sometimes even just by taking a trip to the grocery store, viruses can often be avoided by strengthening your immune system so that it can fight the illnesses with its full strength. There are endless home remedies and over-the-counter medications that you can take to strengthen your immune system during this vulnerable time of the year, but one method has proven especially effective: the use of an infrared sauna.

Before we dive into the multitude of benefits that come with using an infrared sauna to strengthen your immune system, let’s take a look at what exactly causes a weakened immune system. An immune system may not be working to its optimal capabilities if it is dealing with excess stress, little to no exercise, malnutrition, a lack of sleep, or a combination of any of these.

Unfortunately, some of these things may be unavoidable at times, and we may need some immune system support. While infrared sauna use directly benefits the immune system, it also provides you with health benefits when it comes to sleep, stress, and detoxification, giving you a well-rounded experience that positively impacts multiple aspects of your well-being. Benefits of an infrared sauna that specifically help to strengthen your immune system include:

1. Increased Production of White Blood Cells

The heat generated by an infrared sauna stimulates energy at a cellular level which, in turn, increases the body’s production of white blood cells. These cells form a component of your blood and act as your immune system’s first line of defense when infection strikes. When a harmful substance enters your body, white blood cells detect it and control the immune system’s response. Clearly, these small cells are critical when it comes to the functionality of our immune systems. An increased production of white blood cells, as stimulated by infrared sauna use, can help the body to more effectively fight off illnesses.

2. Triggered Immune System

Hippocrates famously said, “Give me a fever and I can cure any disease.” The idea that increased temperatures trigger the body’s immune system response is certainly not new. Fevers help your body to fight off infection by allowing certain immune cells to work more efficiently and effectively. According to the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, hyperthermia, or the exposure of the body to high temperatures, gives these cells the ability to destroy virus-infected cells and tumor cells.

3. Release Impurities

One major benefit of infrared sauna use is detoxification. When your body does not sweat enough, it holds onto potentially harmful toxins, chemicals, and impurities that were meant to be eliminated through sweat. These impurities may come from the food you eat, the air you breathe, the liquids you drink, and anything else you may consume. Ensuring that your body can eliminate these toxins efficiently is one of the best ways to stay healthy and support your immune system. A typical 20-minute session in an infrared sauna allows your body to flush out these impurities from the inside out so your immune system has less to fight off. You may even notice a slight glow in your skin after your sauna session. This is visible evidence that your body’s largest organ has been purified and detoxified.

4. Better Blood Circulation

The deeply penetrating heat of an infrared sauna promotes blood circulation throughout your entire body, providing oxygen-rich nutrients to your extremities. This means that any areas that were poorly circulated before your sauna session will be flushed out, and any harmful substances that were building up will be released through sweat. The increase in circulation pumps the blood towards the outside surface of your body, taking with it any bacteria or other illness-causing substances. Better circulation also benefits the heart, muscles, and arteries.

5. Increased Cellular Regeneration

Infrared sauna usage can also strengthen the immune system by stimulating cell regeneration. This kind of regeneration can help your body dispose of cells that might be old, damaged, or ineffective and replace them with new cells. Over time all cells are regenerated, but the heat from an infrared sauna catalyzes the regeneration process and ensures all bodily systems are running as smoothly as possible. This is especially beneficial during the cold and flu season when the body is being attacked more frequently.

6.Relaxation

Since high stress levels often result in a weakened immune system and, as a result, illness, reducing your stress levels is crucial when it comes to maintaining a healthy body. Excess levels of cortisol, the hormone that is released when the body is stressed, can weaken your immune system’s ability to fight off harmful bacteria and viruses. Regular use of an infrared sauna balances cortisol levels and relaxes the body and mind. This allows your immune system to work efficiently, without the hindrance of high cortisol levels.

Clearlight® Infrared Saunas

Clearlight® infrared saunas offer an experience that will aid your body with the immune-boosting benefits mentioned above and more. These spa-like, hand-crafted sanctuaries provide you with a luxurious retreat in your home. With an array of infrared sauna sizes and styles available, you are sure to find the perfect sauna to suit your home. Learn more and get yours in time for the cold and flu season.

Fall brings with it many things. Illness does not have to be one of them. With proper care and preparation, your immune system can stand up to the cold and flu viruses that seem to be waiting until the cooler months to attack. The use of an infrared sauna strengthens your immune system by increasing white blood cell production, triggering the immune system, releasing impurities, improving blood circulation, regenerating cells, and promoting relaxation. With a strong defense system, you are free to enjoy life in full health.

What are the Health Benefits of Yoga?

While common belief is that yoga has been around for almost 5,000 years, today’s popular yoga styles – Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Bikram and Hatha, have come into prominence over the last 1,500 years. Little has changed in terms of the individual poses and their intrinsic benefits, but the popularity of yoga as a healthy art form has done nothing but explode in prominence over the past thirty years. Yoga is good for your mind, your body, and your spirit. Let’s look at some of the ways yoga can help you feel your best from the inside out.

What Are the Physical Health Benefits of Yoga?

Flexibility

Yoga poses gently force you to stretch, twist and bend your frame – and then hold each pose for a specific time. Do it right and you’ll quickly see better flexibility. This can translate into fewer injuries, pulled muscles and overall discomfort throughout your daily routine.

Muscle Tone

Yoga is a toning exercise – one that creates long, lean muscle tone that can more effectively support the musculoskeletal system. Yoga can make you strong, too. Think of the advanced yogis who perform headstands or handstands; that takes incredible strength and balance.

Weight Loss

Yoga, especially hot yoga, can burn serious calories and can be a cornerstone cardio activity for anyone looking to trim a few pounds. Though various yoga poses create a wide range of calorie burning situations, experts indicate that yoga burns between 180 and 600 calories per hour or an average of about 400/hour. Compare that to the 363 calories a 160-pound individual burns throughout the course of a one-hour, three-mile run, and you can see how great yoga can be for weight loss.

Enhanced Fertility

Yoga is a proven stress reliever, and in recent years the practice has been used by fertility experts as another infertility-fighting tool in their arsenal. Since stress has been linked to fertility problems, yoga can help in numerous ways. According to Bethany Grace Shaw, the founder and president of YogaFit, Inc. “Yoga allows the mother-to-be to relax, de-stress, and open up energetic channels, thereby improving chances of conception.” Yoga may also allow for better blood flow to reproductive organs, improving organ function and improving hormone function.

Reduced Risk for Heart Disease

Yoga helps individuals lose weight, improves circulation, boosts capacity for cardiovascular exercise, and keeps the heart at an elevated (but safe) rate during yoga sessions. Yoga helps foster a decrease in arterial plaque, and that minimizes the chance of heart disease becoming increasingly serious for the individual.

Reduced Risk for Arthritis

There are numerous medications designed to help ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but they certainly aren’t without their side effects. Yoga can help rheumatoid arthritis patients better manage their pain, as well as lower depression levels and increase self-efficacy. Hot yoga is increasingly popular among arthritis sufferers, as the slow, controlled movements and heated environment can be quite beneficial for the joints.

What Are the Mental Health Benefits of Yoga?

Promotes Emotional Health

Exercise, in general, has shown to aid those afflicted by depression, and yoga is included under the wide umbrella of “exercise.” Yoga is often practiced in a group setting, which promotes oxytocin production – the love and bonding hormone. If practiced alone, it helps boost serotonin levels high enough to make virtually anyone feel happier and more positive about life in general.

Helps with Insomnia

Yoga can be quite helpful for those who find getting a good night’s sleep a challenge. Yoga helps improve circulation, calms the mind, and there are even poses that can be completed at night, before bed, or even during bouts of insomnia to help calm your head. There are a few specific poses that can help you sleep better.

Improves Memory

Research shows that yoga can help improve memory in individuals of any age. By lessening mental stress and tension, yoga helps improve cognitive functioning and allows us to use our mental faculties more effectively and efficiently.

Provides Support for PTSD

Individuals suffering from PTSD may find yoga to be a truly beneficial therapy tool in the fight against their debilitating condition. Studies have shown that yoga can help center and calm those with a PTSD diagnosis, and may be a solid option for PTSD sufferers who have found little relief from traditional psychotherapy methods.

Practicing yoga is a terrific way of improving your mental, physical and emotional health, and a lot of attention has been focused recently on the topic of hot yoga. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or you’re just starting out and learning basic poses in a group setting, you may see an even greater spectrum of health and wellness benefits by incorporating hot yoga into your fitness routine. Either way, make yoga a part of your life, and you’ll almost certainly look and feel your best in no time.

Incorporating Your Infrared Sauna into Your Mind-Body Spiritual Practice

Just as the mind and body are intertwined, so are the benefits of infrared sauna use and Ayurveda. The practice of Ayurveda is about aligning yourself with the infinite power of nature so that you can live a healthy, happy, fulfilling life. An infrared sauna can help you achieve ayurvedic balance by providing a tool for wellness and relaxation.

Here are ways in which the incorporation of an infrared sauna in conjunction with your Ayurveda practice can help you lead a lifestyle of overall health and mindfulness.

1) It allows you to self-perform Swedana, or fomentation therapy.

The application of moist heat can be extremely beneficial for those with tight muscles. To perform fomentation therapy on yourself at home, try giving yourself a massage, taking your time and focusing on any areas of stress and tension in your body. The massage will loosen up any toxins in your muscle tissues. To flush out those toxins, follow up with time spent in an infrared sauna for about 20-45 minutes, depending on your body’s preference. Swedana helps to eliminate toxins in the body through sweat and also helps to dissolve tension, creating supple muscles and a deep sense of relaxation.

2) You can benefit in a unique way, depending on your dosha.

Because of the diverse characteristics of each dosha, the benefits of infrared sauna use differ depending on your mind-body type. Though each dosha can benefit from the use of an infrared sauna, the Vata and Kapha dosha types can benefit the most from regular sauna use because of the resulting increased circulation, lubricated joints, and (over time) weight loss. Although Pittas can reap similar benefits, they should start their sauna experience with shorter 15-20-minute sessions to be mindful of overheating.

3) It helps your body eliminate what it doesn’t need.

Although Ayurveda practice involves incorporating colorful, fresh foods into your diet, not every meal can perfectly suit what your body needs. Sometimes we may ingest too much of one nutrient that the body does not need right now. Sometimes we treat ourselves to not-so-healthy food. Regardless of the reason, while we may try our best, our diets will not be perfectly balanced all the time. The use of an infrared sauna will help your digestive system move waste through your body, helping your body to maximize the nutritional benefits of the food you eat.

4) It helps to improve and regulate energy levels.

Of course, according to Ayurveda, getting a restful night’s sleep is essential when it comes to helping our bodies rejuvenate and repair. Once this has been achieved, you should wake up feeling energized and ready to take on the day. However, the use of a sauna can provide supplemental energizing benefits, in addition to getting a peaceful night’s rest. The deep penetration of the body with heat allows for improved circulation which, in turn, can result in increased energy levels and clearer focus. This is a great option when you need an added boost of energy in the morning before starting your day.

5) It just feels good.

When you’re in Ayurvedic balance, what you desire and what you need are in alignment. This means that if you get the sudden urge to eat a fresh piece of fruit, your body probably needs the vitamins that are found in that fruit. Similarly, when you have the urge to immerse yourself in the heat of an infrared sauna, your body is probably craving one of the countless benefits that it has associated with penetrative heat. Ayurveda is about flowing with the infinite energy of the universe instead of fighting it.

6) It can boost your immune system.

As you relax in the sauna, your body is working to improve the functionality of your immune system. As your body heat rises, its natural healing process is triggered and your immune system will begin producing higher numbers of white blood cells and antibodies. This helps your body to fight off viruses and other pathogens that inevitably come your way.

7) It cleanses your skin.

As the largest organ in your body, your skin acts as a barrier between the outside world and your physical self. Keeping that barrier clean and free of any toxins is essential for your health. While eating a colorful, healthy diet and making sure you get a nightly restful sleep can help rejuvenate your skin, using an infrared sauna dilates pores and washes out any unwanted substances, leaving your skin glowing and bright. The heat stimulation can also promote elasticity and suppleness.

The benefits of Ayurveda can be transformational to your body and mind. An infrared sauna can help to enhance these benefits and gives you a tool to assist you in achieving Ayurvedic balance. Dissolved tension, improved digestion, a stronger immune system, clearer skin, increased energy levels, energetic alignment, and mindfulness are just a few of the benefits of incorporating an Infrared sauna into your mind-body spiritual practice.

Why Quality Construction Matters for Your Infrared Sauna

An infrared sauna can provide you with a transformational experience that can become an integral part of your wellness routine. As awareness of the numerous physical and psychological benefits of sauna use grows, so does the popularity of investing in a sauna. When shopping for the best sauna, make sure to research the sauna materials and its structural qualities to ensure your investment is safe and long-lasting.

While some sauna construction is completed using cheap materials in order to keep production costs down, the benefits of sauna use may be offset by other health issues that stem from those unsafe materials. Look for saunas crafted with toxin-free, sustainably sourced materials. The following are factors you should take into consideration when browsing the sauna market.

Wood Quality

Infrared saunas are typically constructed with spruce, redwood, hemlock, poplar, basswood or cedar. The most quality, benefit-rich types of wood are North American Basswood and Western Red Canadian Cedar (WRCC). Both of these woods have distinctive features that result in varying styles and benefits.

Basswood is a white wood and features a fine, even texture. It is hypoallergenic, making it the best option for those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS). With its rich, warm tones and tight, straight grain, Western Red Canadian Cedar (WRCC) is also a great option for use in a sauna. WRCC runs from a lighter honey color to a richer red color and is also naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. The oils in the cedar wood will help keep your sauna clean for many years. WRCC is considered non-aromatic cedar and this mild cedar aroma will enhance sauna experience. Both types of wood are resistant to splitting and will provide you with a long-lasting investment piece for your home.

Low Electromagnetic Fields

The average person is exposed to small amounts of EMF every day, which is not considered to be a health risk. However, once these levels reach a certain range, they are considered dangerous and can cause health issues. When perusing the market, take this into consideration and look for a low EMF https://infraredsauna.com/true-wave-low-emf infrared sauna. Clearlight Infrared Saunas use True Wave™ infrared heaters which have eliminated this concern by developing patented technologies that cancel out EMF and reduces the Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) to safe levels. In addition, these saunas are constructed with electrical wiring shielded in grounded metal conduit to eliminate any residual harmful wavelengths. This allows you to confidently enjoy your sauna, knowing it is completely safe.

Infrared Heaters

The infrared heaters in your saunas are the most critical aspects when making your sauna purchase choice. Typically, sauna heaters belong to one of two categories: ceramic and carbon. Both types of heaters have their strengths and weaknesses.

Ceramic heaters are better at producing larger amounts of heat, but they produce a shorter, less beneficial wavelength. They also tend to distribute the heat unevenly. On the other hand, carbon heaters tend to produce less infrared heat but produce a longer infrared wavelength for more benefit. The heat is also distributed more evenly. Look for a sauna that utilizes a combination of both types of heaters to take advantage of both strengths. A state-of-the-art TrueWave™ infrared heater is comprised of micro-thin carbon fibers combined with a patented ceramic compound. The result is an increase in the emissivity of the infrared wavelength, meaning your body is heated evenly throughout. A TrueWave™ infrared heater will provide you with the most effective heat therapy benefits.

Combining both of these technologies into one heater gives you the best of both worlds. Our Clearlight True Wave infrared heaters are the only combination carbon/ceramic infrared heat and are comprised of micro-thin carbon fibers combined with a patented ceramic compound. The result is you will receive the long wave of a carbon heater with the high output of a ceramic heater combined into one heater. You will receive more benefit faster.

Structural Design

The first step in finding a quality sauna to invest in is to research the sauna materials used. Once you confirm quality materials, the next factor to consider is how those materials are crafted to create the sauna. Clearlight® Saunas set an example of refined craftsmanship. Furniture quality construction, smart modern construction techniques, and rigorous sauna safety testing are some of the factors that characterize a sauna that is built to last.

Choosing a Quality Sauna

An investment in an infrared sauna is an investment in your health and well-being. When searching for the right sauna for your home, make sure to take into consideration the quality of the materials and level of craftsmanship used to construct it. Longevity, safety, and sauna experience are all dependent upon what the sauna is made of and how it is built. Take advantage of the relaxing, therapeutic benefits of an infrared sauna by investing in one that is created with your well-being in mind.

Relaxation Techniques for Parental Stress Management

It’s Monday morning, and you are late taking the kids to school. You can’t find your keys under the stack of unread mail on the dining room table, and you have yet to prepare for the conference call you have at 10:00 AM. Juggling between work, family, and other personal obligations, parents deal with a lot of stress every day. The never ending, to-do list of dishes, laundry, carpool, work and dinner can feel impossible and overwhelming at times, leading to parental stress. If you feel constantly pulled in a million different directions, here are a few relaxation methods to help busy parents relax and manage stress better.

Get Up Early

Whether it is getting up an hour earlier or just five minutes, set some time aside for yourself before the day begins. Before making breakfast, waking the kids up for school, and feeding the dog, take a deep breath and enjoy a few extra minutes to yourself. Pour a nice warm cup of coffee or tea and gather your thoughts. When you allow yourself a little extra time in the morning, it can make a huge impact on how the rest of your day is going to pan out. Deliberately allocating time for yourself is one of the best ways to relax your mind and body to alleviate some parental stress.

Exercise

Exercise is not everyone’s favorite activity to relax, but it’s a beneficial one. There is growing research that exercise can reduce stress, even if it is just a 10-minute workout routine at home. Getting your heart pumping and blood flowing can do wonders for a heightened stress level. And you can even find ways to incorporate your family into your exercise routine. Find the time for you and your partner to hit the gym or take the kids for a walk around the block. Whatever it is, any sort of physical activity can produce endorphins that act as natural painkillers in the brain. This can help improve your mood and ability to sleep, making you feel relaxed even the next day. Exercising can also make you feel better about yourself, boosting your confidence and ability to tackle the day.

Take a Deep Breath

As simple as this may sound, taking one to three deep breaths when you feel like you are about to explode allows parents a chance to regroup before they become too overwhelmed. Breathing is one thing that you can control in your busy day, so take advantage of it. Use slow deep breaths to release any tension you may be feeling. Dr. Andrew Weil believes “practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.” He recommends three breathing techniques to help reduce stress and anxiety levels: The Stimulating Breath, the 4-7-8 exercise, and breath counting. So, next time you are late to pick the kids up from practice or forget to put dinner in the oven, take a few minutes to try one of these exercises and see how you feel.

Write it Down

As a busy parent, you likely often wake up with an abundance of things to do and a million things on your mind. One way to cope with this chaos and parental stress is to make a list. Writing down all the things you need to do that day allows the opportunity to feel more organized in a way that can help you prioritize visually. It also feels great to check things off that list making you feel more accomplished as the day goes on. Writing down the instances throughout the day that stresses you out can also help alleviate anxiety. Dr. Sarah Edelman, a clinical psychologist and author of Change Your Thinking (ABC Books), believes writing down your worries and saying you will come back to them at another time is a simple psychological trick that will help you forget about them for the time being. Commit to things that you know you can handle now and come back to the rest at another time.

Set Smaller Goals

It’s easy for parents to get caught up in being the best. And the truth is, it is impossible to be perfect. Instead of stressing yourself out by being head of the PTA or soccer coach for your child’s team, start first by making smaller goals for yourself. If you are stressed out about making breakfast again, set a new goal: “I will go in the kitchen and start a pot of coffee.” Mary LoVerde, a work-life balance expert, says taking “microactions” like these can help us more calmly approach overwhelming tasks. As small as these goals may seem, they can be influential in helping you get through the task at hand. Taking smaller steps can make it easier for one to reach their overall goal.

Head to the Sauna

Don’t have enough time to enjoy a day at the spa? Head to the sauna. Not only do saunas reduce stress, but they also cleanse skin, induce a deeper sleep and help relax muscles soothing any aches/pains. And these are only a few of the many health benefits of sweating it out. We suggest at least 20 minutes in the sauna daily to help alleviate stress and tension. Infrared saunas use less steam and fewer intense heat settings than a traditional sauna, helping to create a more comfortable experience. The infrared sauna also detoxifies your body much more efficiently than traditional saunas. A few minutes of your day is all you need to leave your body feeling revived and relaxed.

Take a Day Off

You deserve it. Grab lunch with friends or plan a night out on the town. Either way, some time off from the kids and spouse can distance you from the daily routine and allow your mind time to unwind. Getting out of the house will help you relax and think about other things than those dirty dishes in the sink. Finding time to take off may be hard, but it is well worth it. So, get out that calendar and start planning. Your way toward less parental stress.

Staying Healthy for National Stroke Awareness Month

May marks American Stroke and High Blood Pressure Awareness Month. As the cause of one out of every 20 American deaths each year, many of us have either been directly or indirectly affected by stroke. By dedicating this month to increasing the awareness of strokes and their risk factors, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association work together to help decrease the frequency with which they occur. Since about as many Americans have a stroke as a heart attack each year, The American Stroke Association provides several ways for individuals to help raise awareness and show support during National Stroke Awareness Month. Here’s how you can participate:

Showing Support for National Stroke Awareness Month

1. Volunteer – By volunteering at hospitals hosting Stroke Simulation Events, you can help to test readiness for treatment when actual emergencies occur.

2. Legislation – Another way to support the expansion of telestroke technology is through legislation. By asking your legislator to support the Furthering Access to Stroke Telemedicine Act (FAST Act), you could help work to give patients in remote areas better access to stroke experts.

3. Donations – If you would like to donate to fund stroke research and treatment during National Stroke Awareness Month, or any month for that matter, every dollar helps.

4. National Cycling Day – This day in May is dedicated to showing support through social bike rides, which can still be celebrated throughout the month and all summer long.

5. Wear Your Commitment – If you want to show your support for stroke awareness loud and proud, you can represent this month while contributing to a great cause by purchasing and wearing t-shirts and other merchandise created by the American Stroke Association.

6. Connect with the Community – The American Stroke Association has created and sustained a support network online for both Stroke survivors and caregivers. If you or any loved ones are Stroke survivors, we encourage you to check out this great network.

Risks for Stroke

There is a multitude of risk factors for stroke, but luckily, we have a lot of knowledge on what they are and how to prevent them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many common medical conditions can increase your chances of having a stroke. These conditions include prior stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and sickle cell disease.

Along with current medical conditions playing a role, there are also certain behavioral practices and lifestyle choices that will affect your likelihood of having a stroke in the future. Individuals with unhealthy diets, too little physical activity, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco use are all at a higher risk for stroke. As is true with many other personal health factors, family history can also play a role in one’s likelihood for stroke. It’s important to be aware of your family’s health history, as well as your own risk factors and work with your doctor to take the right steps to stay healthy.

Preventing Stroke

With all the risk factors out there, it may seem like strokes are inevitable, but research has found there are many ways we can prevent them. With high blood pressure being one of the leading causes of stroke, it may be beneficial to your health to help lower your blood pressure with consistent infrared sauna use.

Clinical research has shown regular sauna sessions can help lower blood pressure, the chance of heart disease, and obesity. The multitude of health issues that can cause a stroke are curbed by consistent infrared sauna use since the heat causes your body to burn calories by increasing your heart rate and metabolism. Also, frequently called “passive heat therapy,” researchers find saunas can benefit one’s health because it raises the body’s core temperature.

This temperature increase leads to increased blood flow, just like when your heart rate and temperature increases during a run or workout class. The health benefits of exercise are more well-known across the board, but saunas seem to benefit our health for some of the same reasons. In a sauna weight loss study conducted by Binghamton University in New York, results revealed individuals who used a Clearlight Premier IS-3 infrared sauna three times a week for 30 minutes per session dropped an average of 4 percent body fat over a four-month period. These participants who experienced weight loss did not change their exercise or diet patterns during the study, showing that Clearlight Infrared Saunas can make a real difference in your health if utilized consistently.

Spending time in infrared saunas has also been shown to get rid of toxins caused by fat cells in your body. Toxins, which are also called obesogens, as well as the chemical BPA make it difficult for your body to discard fat even if you have made the necessary lifestyle changes to do so. Infrared sauna use strips fat cells of these toxins, leading to weight loss and with that, better overall health and a decreased risk for stroke.

You can also decrease your risk for stroke by living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding some of the common health concerns discussed above. By sustaining a healthy diet and regular physical activity, you can improve your chances of avoiding being overweight or obese, which increase your risk for stroke. Limiting your alcohol intake and avoiding smoking altogether will benefit your health greatly. If you are worried that you or a loved one could be at risk for stroke, consult a doctor to help you find the best path to staying healthy.

Staying Healthy after Stroke

If you know someone who has survived a stroke, you want to ensure they have the best treatment possible. Amazingly, the American Stroke Association notes occurrences of stroke have been lowered from fourth to fifth place in terms of the leading causes of death in the United States. This is due to the research that has been done to improve and advance medical treatments.

Depending on the type of stroke an individual suffers from, different treatments sought in a timely manner can save lives. Think about what you can do this May to not only become more aware yourself but educate others on the steps they can take to ensure a healthy life during National Stroke Awareness Month.

The Importance of Kidney Health

Approximately 26 million Americans have kidney disease, and most don’t even realize they have it! The reason is because many people aren’t aware they are ill until the symptoms have progressed significantly. Unfortunately, kidney disease is one of those silent ailments which can wreak havoc on your body unbeknownst to you.

Some symptoms of kidney disease include the following:

nausea
vomiting
decreased appetite
weakness and fatigue
changes in urination
swelling of feet and ankles
high blood pressure
muscle twitching
trouble sleeping
shortness of breath (if fluid builds around the lining of the heart)
chest pain

There are certain things which can exasperate the symptoms and increase your chances of kidney disease including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and/or obesity. Luckily, there are several things you can do to start taking care of your kidneys now.

The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for tens of millions of Americans at risk, and March is national kidney month! It is important to take care of your body, and your kidneys are no exception. Your kidneys are pretty powerful if you think about it – they work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and never get a break!

Interesting Facts About Your Kidneys:

They filter approximately 200 liters of blood a day.
They direct red blood cell production.
They help regulate blood pressure.
They are responsible for filtering waste from your blood.
They balance your body’s fluids.
They produce an active form of Vitamin D which promotes strong, healthy bones.
They regulate the body’s salt, potassium and acid content.
People often don’t realize they have kidney disease until the symptoms and disease has progressed.

Preventing Kidney Disease and Promoting Kidney Health

As the nation’s 9th most deadly killer, kidney disease can be prevented by educating yourself and by taking easy, daily steps that promote kidney health.

The risk for this disease can be reduced by controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, maintaining proper weight, stopping smoking, exercising regularly and avoiding excessive use of medications that can harm the kidneys, such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

One interesting fact is the skin and the kidneys both help detox the body. Traditional Chinese medicine often refers to the skin as the third kidney. Modern research is discovering new insights into the value of skin detoxification for those with kidney disease. Dr. Jenna Henderson writes about one German study evaluated the benefit of sweating for Stage 4 chronic kidney disease patients. Patients sweated into towels, and the towels were then chemically analyzed for content of uremic waste (this waste can build up in the blood and can cause kidney damage). Not only were uremic waste products found, but the researchers noted that the more often the patients experienced these sweating sessions, the more uremia came out in each session. The body learns to push this pathway through repeated stimulation.

This is where we mention our favorite topic: the benefits of sweating via infrared saunas! However, it is also important you talk to your doctor should you have kidney disease before partaking several sweating sessions in one of our Clearlight saunas.

Foods Which Keep Your Kidneys Happy & Healthy

In addition to using infrared saunas for happy and healthy kidneys, and to support them in their never-ending job of filtering waste out of the blood, there are other things you can do to support kidney health. Naturally, exercise and a good diet are a couple of those things, but there are foods which also support your kidneys. They are as follows:

Grapes
Cranberries
Blueberries
Fennel
Onions
Celery
Beets
Spinach
Asparagus
String beans
Apples
Eggplants
Rice
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Zucchini to name a few.

All in all, kidney disease is a silent killer which doesn’t make itself known until it has developed into advanced stages. Our recommendation is to make a healthy lifestyle a habit NOW so it doesn’t afflict you later on.

Quick Tips to Help You Detoxify Your Body and Lose Weight

The weather is warming up, trees are budding and it’s time to get a jump-start on that summer body. At Clearlight Saunas®, we believe in sustainability. Because of our passion, we have come to realize many exercise routines and diets and efforts to detox your body, regardless of how awesome they are, don’t work for everyone. First of all, many of us don’t have an additional two hours a day to work out – and if we did we would probably want to collapse on the couch! Our suggestion is to find what works for and is sustainable for you.

Quick Tips To Help You Detox Your Body and Feel Great:

There is a simple rule when it comes to your body: if it is performing optimally, keeping the weight off is effortless. This is where setting up a plan to detox your body can support you in achieving your health goals.

Participate in some sort of daily physical activity.

The best exercise regime is one you will actually do! If you can only commit to 15 minutes of walking, stretching or weight lifting a day, this is better than doing nothing at all! The point is to do something to utilize your muscles and get that lymphatic system moving!

Detoxify your body via infrared sauna use.

There are many health benefits of using Infrared Saunas which has helped countless people in ridding their bodies of harmful toxins. Some of the other benefits include rejuvenation of the skin, pain relief, faster recovery (after working out) and relaxation. All of these benefits are vital to helping your body function optimally.

Aside from penetrating an inch and a half into your skin to revitalize your cells, daily Clearlight Infrared Sauna™ use pulls toxins out of your body through perspiration.

Toxins are usually stored in excess fat cells underneath the skin and, not surprisingly, one of the functions of this excess fat is to keep toxins away from your vital organs. When toxins are not eliminated fast enough through natural means (such as urination and defecation), the body has to do something with them so they don’t harm our vital organs. Into the excess fat cells they go to be stored until a later time where they can be released through natural means.

Participate in a juice cleanse.

Contrary to popular belief, we have found juice cleanses to not only benefit the body, but it doesn’t take a great deal of time either. In fact, for many people juicing leaves us with MORE time because we are spending LESS time in the kitchen!

As with any meal-planning, creating and executing your juice-diet will require you sit down and create a plan – we even draw out the steps for you here. Whether you opt for a three day, seven day or some other x-amount-of-day juice cleanse, stay focused and committed! Your body will thank you later!

Take time to relax.

Relaxation is vital to keeping your mind focused and can improve your health. I found a quote which read, “Don’t just do something. Sit there!” While it made me laugh, there is something profound about this – many of us fill our schedule with endless to-dos and goals to achieve but how often do we schedule “blank time” where we literally do nothing?

When you are rested and centered, your body reaps the benefits of it. In an article posted on the Harvard Medical School website, a study was conducted and revealed those who practiced mindfulness had less insomnia, fatigue and depression than those who simply tried improving their sleep. Rest doesn’t necessarily mean “sleep.” It is simply getting your body out of an active “fight-or-flight” stress response many of us are used to being in throughout the day. And when your mind is stressed, your body feels it.

In summary, your body is a detox machine. If you have experienced a little “personal growth” around the midsection, it can be remedied through some of the above-mentioned methods.

Toxins do tend to build up over time, and it is our job to support our body in functioning optimally so it can expel these unwanted toxins effortlessly. Start now and you will be enjoying a fitter body AND additional health benefits before summer starts!

Relaxation Techniques That Can Improve Your Health

It is 7:00 AM and the kids aren’t up yet. The dog must be let out. Your work clothes somehow never made it back from the dry cleaner, and you have a conference call you need to prepare for in less than an hour. Oh, and it’s your day for carpool. Have you ever had a day start out like this?

By 9:00 AM, you’re on your third cup of coffee and all you can think about is that beach vacation that is only…what, seven months away? In the meantime, life seems to only get busier with each passing day. Most of us live a quite stressful existence with little time to decompress before we’re thrown back into the high-octane world we live in. Living a stressful life like this for too long can contribute to chronic fatigue, debilitating stress, and even the early onset of disease. Finding a way to relax and manage stress is not only important – it can be a lifesaver. Here are seven relaxation techniques that can add years to your life:

Relaxation Technique 1: Visualization Therapy

Find quiet and visualize taking a journey to a calm, peaceful location. Try to imagine what it smells like there, what objects feel like, and what you may expect to hear. A serene day at the beach is a simple idea – as the sounds of crashing waves and squawking seagulls, the sensation of the sun’s rays, and the feel of the sand under your feet can be readily imagined. Whatever your “peaceful” place is, think of it for three to four minutes, close your eyes, and enjoy the mental vacation. Do this once or twice a day to calm your mind and reduce stress.

Relaxation Technique 2: Yoga

There is a reason yoga has been around for thousands of years – it truly works! Work with an instructor to create a series of relaxing yoga poses, as not all moves are designed equally. Some can actually create stress, and may not be ideally suited to your ultimate goal of better stress management. The Three-Part Breath, Reclined Bound Angle Pose, Knees-to-Chest Pose, Legs-up-on-a-Wall Pose, and Supported Corpse are five uniquely relaxing yoga poses.

Relaxation Technique 3: Tai Chi

Practicing Tai Chi, or the ancient Chinese tradition of graceful exercise, forces the participant to focus intensely on body movements and deep breathing. This system of exercise is a meditative form of movement that is low impact, basically no-cost, and non-competitive. The gentle physical exercise and positive mental health benefits of Tai Chi are perfectly suited to those who are simply stressed out and need a mental break.

Relaxation Technique 4: Sauna Time

One of the best ways to minimize stress, improve overall heart health, and detoxify the body is by spending time in a sauna. An infrared sauna is the best option for most users today, as reports indicate that not only are they generally more comfortable to use (less steam and far less intense heat settings), but they also detoxify the body much more effectively than traditional saunas. The stress reducing benefits are real, as saunas encourage deep breathing, better circulation, and can even encourage social connections if you have sauna sessions with others.

Relaxation Technique 5: Massage

This form of therapy is incredibly accessible today, as massage clubs seem to quickly spring up in strip malls across the nation daily. You no longer need to belong to a trendy club to access massage services, so work with your preferred masseuse to decide whether you could benefit from a Swedish massage, a deep tissue massage, a sports massage, or a trigger point massage that helps repair muscular injuries. Reducing stress and muscle pain are real-world benefits of this type of therapy.

Relaxation Technique 6: Mindfulness Exercises

Mindfulness refers to deliberately creating awareness of your immediate feelings and sensations throughout various moments of the day. The benefits are reduced anxiety, stress, and depression, less negative self-thought, and enhanced mood. Completing mindful activities is as simple as paying better attention to the people you interact with, looking at familiar situations and objects from a new angle, focusing on relaxed breathing techniques, and reawakening your senses to sights, sounds, and sensations that you’ve taken for granted over the years. Try to specifically focus on mindfulness exercises at least 15-20 minutes per day.

Relaxation Technique 7: Schedule “Blank Time”

We’re good at creating calendars full of important activities and reminders, but when is the last time you blocked out a chunk of time on a random day to set aside to do nothing? In other words, do you carve out time to sit on the couch for 20 minutes, and simply focus on your breathing? Or, do you allocate an hour to sitting on the back deck with a cup of tea – then just take in your surroundings? One of the best ways to minimize stress and relax your mind and body is by deliberately setting aside time for yourself.

Relaxation techniques can improve your physical, emotional, and mental health. By including stress management techniques into your daily routine, you’ll feel better, perform at a higher level, and even add years to your life.