As the leaves turn and the air grows crisper, many of us are looking for ways to stay warm, healthy, and uplifted. Infrared saunas are becoming a go-to wellness ritual during the colder months. Unlike traditional saunas, which rely largely on heating the air, infrared saunas use specific light wavelengths to warm your body directly. This allows for benefits at lower ambient temperatures, ideal when you don’t want to overheat indoors.

The Health Benefits, Especially Now

Here are the most relevant benefits of infrared sauna use during autumn/winter:

• Boosted Immune Function: Winter means cold & flu season. The gentle heat from infrared saunas can mimic a mild fever, helping stimulate white blood cell production and immune responses

• Alleviating Cold-Induced Aches & Joint Stiffness: Cold, damp air often aggravates joint pain (arthritis, etc.). Infrared heat penetrates deeper into muscles & joints, aiding circulation and easing stiffness and pain

• Improved Circulation & Warmth: In colder months the body’s extremities (hands, feet) often feel cold due to vasoconstriction. Infrared heat helps dilate blood vessels, improving circulation and helping maintain internal warmth

• Better Sleep & Mood: Shorter days and darker evenings can disrupt mood (seasonal affective disorder) and circadian rhythms. Regular infrared sessions can reduce cortisol (stress hormone) and increase endorphins (feel-good) and melatonin, promoting deeper sleep and lifting mood.

• Skin Benefits & Detoxification: The dry, cold air outside and indoor heating often dry out skin. Sweating in an IR sauna opens pores, increases blood flow, helps remove toxins, dead skin cells, and can improve skin tone/texture.

• Support for Weight & Metabolic Health: While not a substitute for exercise, spending time in an infrared sauna increases heart rate somewhat (similar to mild cardio), raises metabolic rate, and can help with calorie burn and insulin sensitivity

Practical Tips for Autumn/Winter Use

• Start slow. If new to saunas, begin with shorter sessions (10-15 minutes) at lower intensity and gradually increase.

• Hydrate. Even though the ambient temperature may feel less hot than in summer, you still sweat and lose fluids. Drink water before and after.

• Moisturise skin after. Heat and sweating followed by exposure to cold or dry indoor heating can dry skin; use gentle moisturisers.

• Timing matters. Use sauna sessions in the later afternoon or early evening to wind down and help sleep. Avoid immediately before bed if the heat wakes you up.

• Safety first. Those with cardiovascular issues, on certain medications, or pregnant should consult a doctor first. Also, avoid extreme or overly long sessions.