Whether it’s from work, our personal lives, or simple nuances through our days, stress and fatigue have become a normal part of our lives. To avoid succumbing to these, many look for ways to unwind that nurture both the mind and body. For the mind, some have turned to activities like mindfulness practices – while for the body, others have found comfort in a home infrared sauna. Some people even enjoy combining both practices but is there merit in doing so?
Discover if these two practices are compatible and what benefits there are to gain with our team at Sun Stream Saunas AUS below.
Understanding the Benefits of Mindfulness Practices and Infrared Saunas
Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgement. Studies have proven that this practice can reduce anxiety and depression, with further evidence that it can also lower blood pressure and improve sleep.
Some of the most popular mindfulness practices include breath work, meditation, and guided visualisation.
Infrared saunas, on the other hand, have gained attention for their multiple benefits for physical health. Using infrared wavelengths, this type of sauna raises your body temperature from within, rather than the surrounding air. This stimulates certain cellular processes that result in benefits including pain relief, improved circulation, muscle recovery, boosted immune function, and more.
The Benefits of Combining Home Infrared Sauna Sessions and Mindfulness Practices
1. Amplified Stress Relief
The gentle heat of infrared saunas helps activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, or its rest and digest state. This setting reduces cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress. On the other hand, mindfulness practices help your mind let go of anxieties.
Together, they create an amplified state of relaxation as both your body and mind let go of stress and other similar factors.
2. Heightened Body Awareness and Mind-Body Connection
Mindfulness practices such as body scanning increase your awareness of what your body is feeling. This mind-and-body connection is especially helpful in infrared saunas, which loosen tense muscles and improve circulation. By being more aware of your body, you can incorporate other practices such as gentle massages or breathing exercises to release tension you might not have noticed otherwise.
3. Better Cognitive Function
Infrared saunas improve circulation and thus the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all corners of the body, including the brain. Mindfulness, on the other hand, enhances brain function by increasing neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and grow. Together, these two mechanisms can sharpen memory, improve decision-making, and foster mental clarity.
4. Elevated Energy Levels
Physically, infrared saunas often leave people feeling energised after sessions due to improved circulation and increased endorphin levels. Mindfulness practices, on the other hand, work on mood. Techniques such as gratitude meditation can shift perspectives into more positive ones – over time, this combination can provide sustained energy throughout the day and more balanced moods.
5. Greater Alignment with Holistic Wellness
Holistic wellness often emphasises treating the body, mind, and spirit equally, and the combination of infrared saunas and mindfulness practices addresses this exactly. Together, they ensure that every aspect of your health is getting the care that it needs and deserves.
Key Takeaways
Incorporating mindfulness practices into your infrared sauna sessions can turn a simple moment to unwind into a self-care ritual. With these, you create a sanctuary for both your mind and body, allowing you to reap amplified benefits from both treatments.
Learn more about what other practices or treatments you can incorporate into your infrared sauna sessions for an enhanced experience and more benefits at our SunStream blog. If you’re interested in getting your own home infrared sauna, check out our wide range of models. Contact us for more questions or inquiries.