If you have ever experienced poor sleep quality, then you know that it can be detrimental to your work productivity and to your general quality of life. Simply put, you feel like crap when you don’t get enough sleep. I experienced poor sleep quality myself until I discovered infrared sauna workouts. For the past three years my sleep has been greatly improved with regular infrared workouts.
Unfortunately, not a lot of research exists on the link between better sleep and exposure to infrared. We know that sleep deprivation causes buildup of free radicals in the brain that can cause damage over time.
It’s obvious how much better we all feel during the day following a great night of sleep.
The goal is to achieve slow wave sleep, or deep sleep on a regular nightly basis.
Webster’s defines slow wave sleep as a state of deep usually dreamless sleep that occurs regularly during a normal period of sleep with intervening periods of REM sleep and that is characterized by delta waves and a low level of autonomic physiological activity. ¹
See the chart below…
It is hypothesized that saunas condition the body and the brain for deep sleep by heating the body and then through the cooling process better sleep is induced.
It has been established through research that regular weekly exercise can increase slow wave sleep as well.
It stands to reason that combining infrared with working out can have a positive effect on sleep.
“A recent National Sleep Foundation poll found that regular exercisers were significantly more likely to report sleeping well on most nights than people who were not physically active. Research has shown exercise can help to improve not only the quantity of sleep but also the quality: studies show daytime physical activity may stimulate longer periods of slow-wave sleep, the deepest and most restorative stages of sleep.” ²
In one study an infrared sauna was used to examine the effectiveness in patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a condition with no definitive therapy as of the date of the study. Ten inpatients were observed. Perceived fatigue was significantly decreased following infrared sauna therapy. Negative mood, anxiety, depression and fatigue were significantly improved. No patients reported any negative effects from the infrared therapy. The study concluded that thermal infrared sauna therapy may be a useful and safe treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. ³
In another study exercise was tested to see if a structured program of physical fitness activities could reduce insomnia. The study concluded that aerobic physical activity is an effective treatment “to improve sleep quality, mood and quality of life in older adults with chronic insomnia.” 4
Lack of a large body of research on the topic aside, common sense should tell us that regular workouts involving detoxification through sweating can be great for sleep. I can attest through my own experience that it is true!
Steve
