It is warming up here in Melbourne and summer is well and truly on its way.
35 degree days and balmy nights are not every ones cup of tea, and for those of you that absolutely despise the heat, jumping into a 55 degree sauna on a hot summers day can seem like a literal nightmare. But there are a few reasons why you should still opt to use a sauna and have sauna sessions even through the summer months.
The heat from the sun and the heat generated by an infrared sauna are both forms of heat, but they differ in several key ways:
1. Source of Heat:
Sun: The heat from the sun is generated by nuclear fusion in its core, producing intense electromagnetic radiation, including visible light and infrared (IR) radiation.
Infrared Sauna: Infrared saunas use infrared heaters to produce infrared radiation directly. These heaters emit infrared waves, which are absorbed by the body to create heat.
2. Type of Heat:
Sun: Sunlight consists of a broad spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light and ultraviolet (UV) rays, in addition to infrared heat.
Infrared Sauna: Infrared saunas primarily emit far-infrared (FIR) radiation, which is a specific type of infrared radiation. FIR is less intense than the UV rays from the sun and is not visible to the naked eye.
3. Intensity:
Sun: The sun's heat can be very intense, especially on a sunny day. It can heat the Earth's surface and the air around it.
Infrared Sauna: Infrared sauna heaters produce a milder and more comfortable heat compared to direct exposure to the sun. The heat in an infrared sauna is typically lower in temperature but can still provide a deeply penetrating warmth.
4. Direct vs. Indirect Heat:
Sun: The sun provides direct heat to the Earth's surface and the objects it shines upon.
Infrared Sauna: Infrared saunas provide indirect heat by warming your body directly through the absorption of infrared waves. They don't heat the air in the sauna chamber as much as traditional saunas.
5. Wavelength:
Sun: Sunlight includes various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, UV rays, and shorter-wavelength infrared.
Infrared Sauna: Infrared saunas primarily emit longer-wavelength far-infrared radiation, which is closer to the body's natural radiant heat.
6. UV Exposure:
Sun: Sunlight contains UV rays, which can be harmful to the skin and eyes when exposed for extended periods without protection.
Infrared Sauna: Infrared saunas do not emit UV rays, making them safer for extended use.
7. Control:
Sun: You have limited control over the intensity and duration of sun exposure, as it depends on weather conditions and time of day.
Infrared Sauna: In an infrared sauna, you can control the temperature and duration of your session to suit your comfort level and desired therapeutic benefits.
It is important to remember that like every other form of fitness, keeping consistent with your sauna sessions will see consistent benefits and results. During the summer months in Australia, which happen to fall over the Christmas and new year break, most of us are eating and drinking more, as well as lounging around more, which is great, but also puts a back burner on our health and fitness routines.
To help ease into the summer sauna sessions, try some of the following tips:
Night sessions, once the sun goes down, can make it easier to sit through a session.
Try adding some iced fruit to your water for the extra freshness and nutrients.
Hop into a pool after your session, it will help you to cool down.
Keep hydrated with fresh summer fruits like watermelon and berries
Remember, the sun and sun exposure is still very important for us all, primarily due to its role in providing us with essential elements for life and supporting various physiological processes.
Vitamin D synthesis, mood and mental health, skin health, immune system support, Circadian rhythm regulation, and bone health are just some key benefits to sun exposure.
While the Sun provides numerous health benefits, overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to sunburn, skin damage, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it's crucial to strike a balance between getting enough sun exposure to enjoy its health benefits while also taking precautions to protect your skin, such as avoiding excessive sun exposure during peak UV hours.
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