Could owning an infrared sauna help you to sleep better?

Oh sleep glorious sleep. If you have ever had a period of sleep deprivation (hello parents with young children) then you can probably recall the feeling of brain fog and fatigue that comes after a bad night's sleep and how ratty and distracted it can make you feel as you attempt to get through the day.

It’s not just long-term sleep deprivation that affects us, many of us may not be getting sufficient sleep each night. The Sleep Foundation recommends that through different stages of our lives we require a minimum amount of sleep to enable us to function properly and promote good health.

For example, adults up to 64 years old need 7 - 9 hours of sleep every night and that is quite a bit less than what is recommended for children and adolescents who are growing and developing and so require more sleep each night. 

What are the side effects of poor sleep quality?

It is not just about getting a sufficient amount of sleep; experts advise that poor sleep quality can also impact us negatively. The list is exhausting (literally) but here are a few to recognise so you can address.

• Feeling tired and groggy in the morning 
• Having difficulty concentrating, relying on caffeine to get through the day
• Your eyes are puffy and red and developing dark circles underneath
• You lie awake for more than 20 minutes when you wake up in the night

So how is it that using a Far-infrared sauna can improve the amount and quality of sleep we are getting?

Far-infrared sauna therapy is becoming increasingly popular to promote overall health and wellness and a key factor of this is improving the quality of a user’s sleep. Here are a couple of the key reasons why:

Far-infrared saunas can promote relaxation.

Far-infrared saunas can be used to promote a feeling of relaxation as the soothing heat penetrates deeply to relieve stress and tension in muscles throughout the entire body. A sauna creates the perfect environment for some much-needed self-care by allowing a moment of peace or reflection.

Many people who are easily distracted by devices and alerts find it much easier to ‘switch off’ and rest by using their far-infrared sauna as a quiet space to meditate. It is well known that using heat to unwind and relax your entire body and taking the time away from screens could help you to swiftly fall into a deep sleep. 

Increases melatonin production

Melatonin is also known as the ‘sleep hormone’ and healthy doses are required for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Using a far-infrared sauna can also help by stimulating melatonin production in the body. Regular far-infrared sauna use can result in higher melatonin levels. 

Adding a Sauna session to your night-time routine

Many experts are advising that adopting a sleep schedule can really help you succeed when it comes to getting a good night's sleep. Just as children benefit from regular sleep signals such as taking a warm bath or reading a night-time story. 

Similarly, adults should also be incorporating some steps into a routine before jumping into bed. Consider your routine and how you could add to it to make it more effective.

Whether you enjoy sipping a herbal tea, reading or simply switching off your devices. Incorporating a 15 - 20 min far-infrared sauna session into your routine half an hour before bed could be an effective way to encourage you to ‘feel good’ as the heat can increase your heart rate and stimulate the release of endorphins (the feel-good hormone which helps with pain relief and eases stress).

Far-infrared saunas encourage thermoregulation

As a far-infrared sauna is enjoyed, the core temperature of the body will rise by a couple of degrees. After stepping out of the sauna the body’s temperature will begin to drop. The drop in core body temperature will naturally cause sleepiness and will also help you to stay asleep throughout the night.

Taking a hot bath before bed can produce similar effects known as the ‘Warm Bath Effect’, however enjoying a far-infrared sauna session in the evening will intensify the effects.

Which Far-Infrared Saunas do we recommend?

Kiva Wellness is an Australian brand brought to you by the same company that owns Love Your Health Australia. Focused on wellness products including Infrared Saunas, Yoga accessories, Pilates and more you can be rest assured that your considered purchase is from a reputable company with excellent customer service. Our high quality far-infrared saunas available in our store include the following: