Sauna. The word itself evokes feelings of deep relaxation. Along with being incredibly relaxing, a regular sauna routine can also be a very pleasurable way to de-stress and enhance your overall well-being. Saunas, particularly infrared saunas, offer a number of amazing body, skin and wellness benefits. Why infrared? Infrared’s radiant heat is known to penetrate the skin more deeply than traditional saunas, better aiding in a number of restorative body processes. Infrared saunas are also a great alternative for those who don’t like extremely high temperatures or need to avoid them for any reason. What is it exactly? Infrared is a light that turns into heat as soon as it hits your body. Compared to traditional saunas or steam rooms that heat the air, an infrared sauna never heats air, it only heats your inner core body temperature. So, while the temperature of a traditional sauna is upwards of 200 F, the gentler heat of infrared saunas runs anywhere between 110-135 F, making them much easier to tolerate. You don’t have to sit in an infrared sauna hours for on end to reap the benefits. For most people, all that’s needed is a few 20-30 minute sessions a week. Here at the Beach Plum Spa at the Cape Codder Resort, our luxurious in-spa Executive Locker Rooms feature state-of-the-art Infrared Saunas equipped with acoustic and chromotherapy functionality, creating an incredibly relaxing environment for all of your senses.
In this article, we’ll look at just a few of the ways infrared saunas can benefit your body – and why you should make them a part of your wellness routine. Are you ready to blow off some steam?
- You’ll flush out toxins.
Sweating is a healthy and natural way to detox your body. In a sauna, when you sweat, you are ridding your body of toxins that have accumulated over time. Unlike a normal sweat (like when you’re working out), saunas allow you to get a deep sweat at the cellular level, where the toxins are stored. With infrared saunas, the sweating is deeper and even more profuse, enabling your body to excrete a higher percentage of heavy metals, environmental pollutants, and anything else that’s stored deep within your fat cells.
- You’ll burn a few calories, effortlessly.
After you’ve sweated it out in a sauna session, the immediate weight loss you see on the scale will be water weight, which will return as soon as you rehydrate. However, in one 30 minute infrared sauna session, you can burn up to 600 calories! So, while it won’t directly result in weight loss, an infrared sauna session can support a sensible diet and exercise regimen by burning some calories while you literally sit and relax. And remember, hydration is essential if you’re using a sauna, infrared or traditional, so never skip out on liquids for the sake of seeing lower numbers on the scale. Drink up before, during and after a sauna session – no exceptions!
- You’ll look younger.
Infrared saunas have been shown to help improve skin tone and reduce signs of aging by stimulating better circulation, blood flow, increased collagen production and removing toxins – all of which improve the look of your skin while giving it a beautiful, radiant, more youthful appearance. In fact, celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Cindy Crawford all swear by infrared saunas for both skin care and overall health benefits!
After Your Infrared Sauna Session:
You will keep sweating for a while as your core body temperature cools. Be sure to wipe down with a towel, and when you’re ready, hop into the shower. Not only will this feel invigorating and refreshing, it will help cleanse your skin of the toxins you have excreted during your sweat session. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water!
After you hydrate and rinse off, indulge in a healing body treatment, like our signature Beach Plum Honey Butter Wrap and Massage. This luxurious 80 minute treatment softens the skin, detoxifies the body and provides rich antioxidants and Omegas 3, 6, 9 to nourish your skin. It begins with a body wrap of infused organic oil, Himalayan healing salts and nutrient rich Manuka honey. You will receive a relaxing hand and foot or scalp massage during your wrap. Once your wrap is removed, you will rinse and return to the massage table for a luxurious 45 minute massage. This popular treatment is deeply relaxing for your mind, body and soul.
Come and Enjoy Our Facilities!
Along with our infrared sauna at the Cape Codder Resort location, come and enjoy the use of our all-season, outdoor swimming pool and fitness center at the Cape Codder Resort, our seasonal outdoor swimming pool at the Dan’l Webster Inn or our Pilgrim Cove Indoor Theme Pool and fitness room at the John Carver Inn are available to all spa guests with treatments of $200 or more (guests of spa guests are not included). If you would like to use our facilities*, please arrive a minimum of 45 minutes before your appointment time. Restrictions apply. Pool facilities are not available for use in July and August. Please ask in advance.
*Use of Cape Codder Water Park not included with spa services.