WELLNESS--I grew up enjoying the benefits of a wood-burning sauna at my cottage in small town Canada. It was a wonderful experience to warm up during the winter months and then jumping into the deep piles of snow afterwards.
Thanks to my Danish roots, my family understood the benefits of regular sauna use. The Finnish people along with other Scandinavians have done it right for centuries. They’ve used this powerful detox tool to remain healthy and balanced while enjoying social times with family and friends.
Fast forward to the busy city life that many of us lead and we have lost touch with the basics of relaxation and healthy lifestyle habits.
There is an answer. I had the pleasure of visiting HotBox, an amazing infrared sauna experience in downtown Los Angeles. It is the modern way to detox your body, mind, and spirit in the middle of our often hectic and urban dwelling.
Infrared saunas gently warm you from the inside out rather than the outside in like the traditional ones and have been shown to have numerous health benefits. They generally use a lower temperature as well which makes it more enjoyable for those who have a difficult time with the intensity of a regular sauna. You’ll notice less humidity also which means less outward sweat and yet the detox effects are just as powerful.
The HotBox setting is modern and serene, and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. You’ll choose from a selection of colored mood lighting known as Chromotherapy with each one corresponding to an emotion or feeling that you’d like to enhance during your session. You also have multiple selections of soothing music to induce an even deeper sense of relaxation.
Here are just some of the myriad of benefits you’ll achieve from the HotBox experience:
Detox – It is reported that infrared saunas are 7x more effective at assisting your body to detoxify than regular saunas. They raise your core temperature gradually which in turn stimulates sweat glands, allowing your body to cleanse at a cellular level.
Burning Calories – During a short infrared sauna, you’ll burn approximately 600 calories! This is the most calories that you’ll ever burn without moving or exercising.
Improved Athletic Performance – Saunas increase blood flow to your heart and muscles along with naturally increasing your Human Growth Hormone (HGH) also known as the anti-aging hormone. HGH is known to build muscle and increase overall body strength.
Longevity – Studies have shown that regular sauna use can lower blood pressure, increase blood flow, and improve overall circulation and because of this, they may increase your odds of living a longer life.
Faster Injury Recovery – Infrared heat penetrates tissue, joints, and muscles to relieve pain and inflammation while oxygenating the blood assisting the body to heal itself.
Younger Looking Skin – Not only will regular saunas help to cleanse pores and reduce cellulite, studies have shown that those who use saunas regularly, have a reduction in wrinkles, improved elasticity, and better overall skin tone.
Improved Immune Function – Increased blood flow will boost the immune systems response to illness, bacteria, and infection.
Reduced Stress – Regular infrared sauna use may lower cortisol levels which is also known as the stress hormone. It aids in relaxation and helps people to experience a more blissful and serene state of mind.
If you’ve never tried an infrared sauna, now is your time. Book online or call HotBox for your first experience and make it a regular part of your self-care regimen. Your body and mind will thank you and you’ll soon begin reaping the numerous benefits of this important lifestyle practice.
*Always consult with your physician before starting any new lifestyle practices, especially if you are on medication or you have pre-existing health conditions.
(Jay Bradley is a Youthful Aging, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert Living in Los Angeles. http://www.JayBradleyLifestyle.com. He is the Best-Selling Author of LIVE LOOK FEEL, The 12-Week Guide to Live Longer, Look Younger & Feel Better!)
-cw
