Lighten Up with an Infrared Sauna

A far infrared sauna provides many health benefits including detoxification, weight loss and increased circulation. But by far the most popular use of a sauna is for the pure pleasure and enjoyment.

The warmth of a sauna decreases blood pressure and enhances relaxation, yet with a little planning you can create an even more therapeutic experience through the use of color. The use of color or light therapy is an option for those using a far infrared sauna since the sauna is dry. The steam from a traditional sauna distorts the light but a dry sauna remains clear and easily visible.

Research by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found light therapy is able to improve sleep, mood and energy among women with depression (who do not suffer from SAD). A far infrared sauna is able to integrate a wide variety of colored bulbs with a color to suite any mood.

• Orange is associated with autumn and the seasonal light change taking place in nature.
• Yellow symbolizes sunshine, warmth, hope, light and energy.
• Blue is a calming color associated with the sky and the sea.
• White is associated with cleanliness, purity and spirituality.

Home Sauna Checklist

Buying or building a home sauna is easier than ever but not all saunas are the same. Use this quick checklist to find the perfect home sauna for you.

1. Compare Total Surface Area. Available heating sources range from Sunlight Sauna's Infrared Solocarbon heaters to ceramic encased incoloy coils and rods; each is capable of covering different surface areas from a low of 12 square inches to 624 square inches. The greater the surface area the better.

2. Warm-up Time. One of the benefits of a home signature sauna is the ease and convenience of using it at any time of the day or night but much of that convenience is wasted if you must wait for your sauna to warm up! When shopping for a home sauna or sauna kit, be sure to compare warm-up times. A good range is 15 to 20 minutes whereas some can take as long as 45 minutes!

3. Stereo, TV and other optional items. Sauna design is not only attractive but home saunas and even sauna kits now come equipped with optional stereo music, DVD and even LCD displays.

4. Warranty: A good price may not be as attractive when you compare the quality and warranty information for various home saunas. For example, reputable sauna dealers like www.sunlightsaunas.com offer a lifetime warranty on heater, controls and cabinetry whereas other sauna dealers may offer as little as 1 year warranty on cabinets, three years on controls and only five years on the heater.

Sauna Body Cleansing: More Important Than You Might Think

You have probably heard about the health benefits of detoxification and sauna body cleansing but perhaps you don't think it applies to you. After all, you keep your home clean and don't work in a chemical plant so what is there to worry about - right?

In October of 2006, National Geographic set out to determine whether or not the body is really filled with toxins, chemicals and potentially harmful heavy metals. What they found was shocking. Take a look at this quick list to see how many potential toxins you or your family may have absorbed without even knowing it.

1. Use a coffeemaker, blender, microwave or toaster? Then you may have been exposed to CPDEs or Polybrominated diphenyle ethers capable of causing developmental problems in animal studies.

2. Do you have vinyl flooring in your home? How about plastic containers or food wraps? Water bottles? Chances are you have been exposed to phthalates. Health complaints include sexual development problems especially among young boys.

3. Use a flea collar on your pet, exterminate for pests in your lawn or garden? There is a long list of potential pesticides that may have been absorbed by you and your family. Health problems range from Asthma to immunological problems.

4. Use non-stick pots and pans or other stain/scratch resistant coatings? These popular cooking choices may contain PFAs or perfluoroclane sulfonates which are carcinogenic and can take years for the body to eliminate.

This is only a tiny sample of the literally hundreds upon hundreds of chemicals and toxins that the average American is exposed to repeatedly. In this day and age, sauna body cleansing makes more sense than ever.

Sauna Kits and Construction

Advances in saunas now allow more choices than ever in the selection, purchase, and installation of a home sauna. Sauna construction ranges from simple to very elaborate so a little advance planning can save time and money.

1. Decide upon the type of sauna construction that fits your needs best.

2. Determine the location and placement of the sauna. Do you want it to be permanent or removable? Large or small?

3. Finally, consider how much of the work you want to do yourself.

• Modular saunas are pre-built saunas that require very little skill to assemble. Everything you need is sent in a package that is easily assembled into a pre-determined space. This is an ideal choice for those who desire to place a sauna in a section of the room or if you will need to take it apart and move it later. All of the wiring and other work is done for you so it is as simple as putting the pieces together.
• Pre-cut sauna kits are another option for those interested in a DIY sauna. Typically the least expensive option, a sauna kit contains everything required for the sauna construction but more assembly is needed.
• Full service sauna delivery and installation. Not handy or don't want to hassle with it? White glove sauna delivery and installation from Sunlight Saunas take care of everything for you. Simply select the desired sauna, available options and delivery date.