I’ve written about sauna benefits before. I’ve been a fan for years, decades really. But what about specific benefits during menopause?
The first times I really enjoyed the sauna may have been with my college roommate after swimming in the locker room at Iowa State University. I was injured and she was preparing for a wedding. We’d go swim for 30 minutes or so and then sometimes sit in the sauna. I haven’t thought about that for decades!
Infrared light therapy has been growing in popularity and you may have heard the buzz about it. The health benefits that come from infrared therapy are extensive! I am a major believer in it and have experienced them firsthand.
I originally got a sauna as a personal luxury for relaxation. It turns out there are no accidents. I was exposed to mold for about 6 months and it was the sauna that helped me through it. Then six months later, I needed the sauna to help release some weight from inflammation.
The next 18 months I personally experienced sauna benefits during menopause. Even though that had never been my intention.
Full Disclosure…
I’m bringing this up because since having a “C” virus in the last month, I’ve realized additional sauna benefits during menopause. I used it daily. You know what a fever does and I had a mild one for the first few days. I welcome it. It’s a sign your body is fighting infection. And while I was barely exercising for a couple weeks beside short movement sessions, I did want to sweat and support immunity.
HUGE bonus of sauna benefits during menopause, by the way. Imagine what happens to your immune system if you’re not sleeping as well, may be trying to exercise more, diet, and are under stress of that sandwich generation time of life. Do everything you can to boost your immune system!
Right now, Sunlighten sauna has a sweet special on saunas. After researching my options, I chose them and the Solo model I have. More on that at the bottom of this post. But if you’ve been thinking about it, want to bump your health care in a way that has benefits you can enjoy, the timing may be right for you.
Choose Carefully
Not all infrared is created equal and my favorite provider is Sunlighten®. Their infrared saunas are hands-down the best quality and they have the studies to prove it.
One of the health benefits we value the most from regular sauna use is the passive cardio workout. (Which is excellent news to women in menopause… who want the benefits without the cortisol kick that results in fat storage). Losing weight while comfortably relaxing – what could be better?!?
I wrote more about that in another post you might want to read: How to Improve Your Fitness Without Exercise https://www.flippingfifty.com/sauna-benefits/
Maintaining a healthy weight is important to your overall quality of life. That’s no secret. Sunlighten sauna benefits during menopause help you manage weight by detoxifying the body, burning calories, and increasing metabolism. Infrared saunas also help with the elimination of toxins that cause fat storage (and make your body reluctant to release fat). Fat storage becomes more likely during menopause thanks to shifts in hormones. Sauna benefits during menopause help offset this tendancy, right along with monitoring your diet and exercise habits on your body.
Sound too good to be true? Learn more about how Sunlighten saunas can help support healthy weight management.
Sleep is a Part of the Sauna Benefits During Menopause too! (Bonus!)
When I sauna (not sure that’s a verb but I’m going with it) I often power nap. It has the same effect on me as lying at the beach or pool. Sauna can improve sleep and I’m proof. I usually do my sauna right before or after dinner, and even though I can just go out for 10 or 15 minutes while I’m there, I sleep most deeply when I’m regularly using the sauna. Even when bedtime is just 2 or 3 hours later.
And sleep helps weight management. Sleep is when the hormones that influence muscle mass, cortisol, and therefore metabolism and blood sugar, are regulated. If you’re not prioritizing or not sleeping well, your weight loss is probably going to stall.
It’s Not the Heat, Exactly, It’s What the Heat Does to You
As the body works to cool itself, there is a substantial increase in heart rate, cardiac output, and metabolic rate. Having healthy body composition and waist size helps us live longer, healthier lives. A Mayo Clinic study showed that waist circumference is a critical factor for assessing the risk of premature death.
As part of an overall program of nutrition, behavior change, and exercise(strength training!), a sauna can help achieve your health goals. A study of diabetic patients attending three, 20-minute sauna sessions per week over three months, showed a decrease in waist circumference, therefore suggesting benefits to regular sauna use.
Increases in blood flow and heart rate are a result, which, much like moderate exercise, has shown to help lose weight loss. For the best weight loss results, use their mPulse® 3 in 1® series’ weight loss program that uses a combination of far and mid infrared at a high intensity to stimulate the cardiovascular system.
Address Inflammation
Oftentimes weight loss is a by-product of other conditions within the body like toxic overload, inflammation and stress – all of which are addressed while taking in some infrared therapy. So, while you’re in your home sauna burning calories, you’ll also receive a whole host of additional health benefits!
Right now you can save $600 off Sauna Cabins(one brother has and my sister is ordering), or $250 off the Solo (the one I currently have because it’s so easy to move). Click here or the image to take advantage of the special. You can reach out to the Sunlighten team for support getting exactly the model that fits you. I recommend you look, consider the models you’re looking for and then reach out to ask more to be sure you have the one you want.
Other Resources for Weight Loss During Menopause:
Fit U Special Rate! (for 20 or more pounds after 50) PLUS a bonus Metabolism Makeover (value $699) right now
Watch the Fit U webinar to learn more
Reduce Inflammation with the Food Flip (only open for enrollment a few times a year)
