When it comes to working out, consistency is key. Coming to class once in a while is great, but if you want to improve your overall health, maintain fitness goals, boost your energy, or improve your mood, you’re going to want to be finding your way to the studio more frequently. Getting sick can throw a wrench in these goals, not to mention it messes with the rest of our day-to-day lives.
Different types of Infrared Heating are used in many areas of healthcare. For example, according to a study on Far Infrared Radiation and Its Therapeutic parameters, many studies have found Far Infrared Radiation efficient and safe for fighting various diseases. Far Infrared Radiation is also being studied for use in regenerative medicine, which is described as the “process of replacing, engineering, or regenerating human or animal cells, tissues, or organs to restore or establish normal function”. But, it’s not just serious illnesses that can be treated by infrared heating or trips to the hospital that can utilize this tool for good. The far infrared heating you work out in every time you come to workout classes at Oxygen can also support your immune system, thereby contributing to the maintenance of your health every time you step into the studio.
The immune system is our defense system against invaders like viruses. How does far infrared strengthen this system? Well, there’s a couple ways. First, the subtle heating infrared utilizes helps increase the amount of white blood cells and killer-T cells we’ve got. White blood cells are “the body’s primary defenders”, as explained by Rocky Mounty Saunas.Infrared heat raises our bodies temperature, which “ triggers the production of heat shock proteins, as shared on Clean Slate Wax”. Heat shock proteins then help protect cells from damage.
In fact, Dr. Cory Hewoko claims Far Infrared Sauna Therapy is “one of the most effective ways to naturally boost our immune system”. Hewoko explains the process as inducing an “artificial fever” which then encourages our bodies to fight off the intruders.
Inducing a fever is one of the ways our body usually fights off illnesses or infections. Fevers of around 104 degrees “help the body fight off pathogens without the risk of febrile seizures”, shares Degree Wellness. The heat makes your body less habitable for the infection. Fever temperatures also teach your body to remember the germs so that they’re more prepared to fight them off in the future.
Infrared saunas also help widen blood vessels, enhancing blood flow. Additionally, a boost to the lymphatic system may help circulate immune cells and remove toxins.
As if that’s not enough, infrared heating keeps working for your health after you leave the studio too. When discussing saunas, sleep psychologist Dr. Michael Breus shared that “the steep drop in temperature” can help you sleep. And getting enough sleep – you guessed it – boosts your immune system. There’s a reason to use far infrared heat as opposed to any other hot space to reach this conclusion too. Far infrared heat has the ability to penetrate further into our bodies, giving it more ability to affect immune cells, as explained in National Geographic.
To see how far infrared affects your immunity, pick out a class to try at your local Oxygen Yoga & Fitness. We’ll look forward to seeing you in the studio soon.