IR Therapy: The Best Way to Get Lit
With the cheeky tagline of ‘get high naturally’, Higher Dose is just one of the many companies cashing in on the infrared therapy craze. Studios offering an IR sauna experience seem to have popped up everywhere overnight.
And honestly, I can see why. Speaking from personal experience, an hour in one of these oh so trendy saunas left me feeling fully rejuvenated, and yes, quite sweaty as well.
A quick google search reveals a laundry list of supposed benefits of IR heat therapy, although I’d recommend digging deeper to see just how many of these claims are actually backed by science.
THE claimed BENEFITS
better sleep
relaxation
detoxification
weight loss
relief from sore muscles
relief from joint pain
clear and tighter skin
improved circulation
With all the supposed benefits of infrared heat, it isn’t surprising to see it incorporated beyond the four walls of the sauna. Infrared heat lamps are present in many yoga classes, at-home recovery products, and even in personal IR sleeping bags [which I can’t imagine would be fun to clean after using].
THE EXPERIENCE
My friend Nina and I have made a ritual of visiting Meta Physica Wellness Center every time we’re in the Detroit area. The entire experience makes you feel like a VIP. From the moment I walked in and laid eyes on the velvet couch [oooh and the flamingo wallpaper], to stepping foot in a shower so luxurious I wanted to move in, I started questioning how I’ve been living life for so long without pampering myself like a queen on a regular basis.
The saunas are heated using infrared lamps, instead of the traditional hot stones and water typically used in a sauna. But you’ve probably picked up on that by now, right? Before setting in to total relaxation, we picked an aromatherapy oil to infuse the sauna with the scent of our choice [might I suggest the eucalyptus and lemongrass combo].
What takes it up a notch is the incorporation of music through Spotify, included on the touch screen within the sauna itself. We’ve been three times now and hands down our station of choice is by H.E.R - highly recommend if you’re looking for some low-key sexy vibes.
The pampering experience doesn’t stop there. I know what you’re thinking: how could it possibly get any better? The sauna also includes a remote to change the lighting to different colors, to enhance the benefits of chromotherapy. They include a pamphlet explaining more about the benefits of each color, a different color means a different wavelength hence the variety of benefits. I’m not sure I believe in all of that [says the girl writing about the benefits of an infrared sauna], so I base my color choice on whichever one makes me look the best [red or blue, for the record].
THE VERDICT
Although I can’t say I’ve experienced any of the claimed benefits beyond complete and utter relaxation, I would still highly recommended booking an appointment at a location near you ASAP. Treat-yo-self like the true queen you are. You deserve it.
A little bonus sample of those sweet tunes, for your listening pleasure.
[thumbnail image by @julieanpacaud. Header image by @eugenia_loli.]