Tag Archives: health
Conventional vs Infrared – Which is best for you?
We all know that a good sauna session is one of the best ways to relax and unwind. Sweating out all the unwanted toxins and improving your skin are just some of the benefits you can expect to receive when regularly using a sauna. Typically, traditional saunas create a heat source using wood, electric or gas to increase the temperature inside a sauna space. Nowadays, the technology of far-infrared has been introduced into new sauna enclosures, offering a completely different experience for the user without losing any of the health benefits. So which one would you prefer?
The Far Infrared Sauna
Far infrared saunas use infrared light to heat the user directly, rather than heating the air first. The heating experience is directly comparable to being in the sun in a hot climate – it feels warm and soothing. But be careful not to confuse the far infrared rays which are safe, to the UV rays which you may have had first hand experience with through sunburn! The emission of infrared heat rays dispersed at the right frequency triggers a process called “resonant absorption“, in which toxins and harmful metals are removed from the body through sweating at higher rates when compared to a conventional sauna.
Unlike a conventional sauna, a far infrared sauna operates at a lower heat temperature, so many find the whole environment more comfortable to be in. Many conventional saunas operate between 180F to 200F – an intensive heat for users to sit around in and relax. In addition to this, a conventional sauna works to heat the entire area including the air so some find it difficult to breathe when the temperature is at peak. In comparison, a far infrared sauna will operate between 100F to 150F – an environment which is far more tolerable for the user to breathe in. This is due to the fact that the infrared sauna works to heat the user directly as opposed to the surrounding cabin, with figures showing that less than 20% of the infrared energy being lost in heating the air.
Sherry A Rogers M.D. – Author of “Detoxify or Die“
“Thanks to improved technology, the far infrared sauna is far safer and infinitely more tolerable, because it uses a heat energy that penetrates tissues, triggering mobilization of chemicals from subcutaneous fat storage, directly into the sweat. This activating penetration allows for a much lower overall temperature to be used, one that is enjoyable and not torture.”
You may be thinking “this new technology must be expensive!” Well, as a matter of fact because the far infrared saunas operate at a lower heat setting the energy that they require is less when directly compared to a conventional sauna. Some manufacturers state that an infrared sauna costs less than £5* per month if used for 1 hour 3 times a week. On top of that there’s no plumbing required, you just plug it in – that’s more money in your back pocket. You don’t have to build it in either, so you can take your sauna with you if you move house. Initial outlay costs are favourable too, with infrared saunas starting from £1500 and bespoke conventional installations reaching costs of up to £30,000.
So you may ask yourself “Why isn’t everyone moving over to far infrared?” Well, it’s indubitable that the traditional sauna is here to stay.
The Traditional Sauna
In defence of the traditional sauna, some say that there are benefits that can’t be provided by infrared saunas due to the lack of steam created in the cabin. Some say that it is this steam that is essential to the healing process of the body, especially in regards to respiratory ailments. Supporters of the conventional sauna state that it is the experience that is essential to the enjoyment of a sauna session. Although you may not start the sweating process as quickly as you would in an infrared sauna, the body still produces a large amount of sweat when in a traditional environment. After all, this method has been used for years and is still being used to date in many locations around the world.
Regular users of a conventional sauna will state that it “simply feels more refreshing“, and that it is “a much more enjoyable experience“. The action of pouring the water onto the hot stones to create the steam is therapeutic, and that allowing a natural heat source such as wood to create the heat makes for an unmatchable environment to be in. Even though you can control the heat in an infrared sauna electronically, you can manage the temperature in a traditional sauna. You simply add more water to the stove to increase the heat, or move to a lower bench or open the door to cool down.
The Verdict
It’s pretty difficult to decide which sauna really is for you. I’d recommend that you try both out before making your final decision, or perhaps speak with people who own them. Take your time in deciding and do plenty of research as there a lot of options available. Nevertheless, the benefits you can receive for both you and your body are undeniable regardless of how you achieve them, be it infrared heat or steam. I’ve made my decision – have you?
*based on an infrared sauna operating at 1.8KW, at a tariff of 15p per kWhr.
Making your home Greener!
There are a few changes you can make to your home that will save you money and help protect the environment at the same time. Study the following options to see if there is room for improvement in your home.
Insulate your home
Up to 40 percent of the heat that is lost in the home is through the roof and surrounding walls. This percentage can be reduced significantly by installing simple loft insulation costing between £200 to £300, resulting in an average saving of £150 per year. Cavity wall insulation prices start from £130 with an average saving of £100 a year. Obvious improvements such as double glazing will also reduce heat loss through the windows.
Reducing your water usage
At present, homes across the UK can use up to 1000 litres of water per day. One option is to install a water meter along with low-flush toilets. You can also take advantage of rainwater, by installing a harvesting system which can reduce your water consumption by as much as half whilst being used with toilets, washing machines and gardening. Systems such as this can start from £3500.
Generate your own Energy
Photovoltaic (PC) Cells or solar panels as we know them, operate by capturing solar radiation and converting it into electricity. An average home with a south facing roof could potentially generate half of its own needed energy using these cells. Systems vary in prices but are expected to be paid back within at least ten years. Wind turbines are also an option, but only effective in certain locations. It is important to carry out a wind assessment beforehand – Prices for wind turbines start from £1000.
Make small change around the home
Lighting in the home accounts for around 15 per cent of your annual electricity bill, so it is important to change over to energy saving bulbs throughout your home. Each bulb can save up to £7 per year! Installing an efficient condensing boiler is expected to save £150+ per year, whilst investing in a jacket and lagging for your hot water cylinder and pipes will pay itself back within one year of installation.
Sources: Homebuilding & Renovating magazine – June 2008
Steam therapy to cure sinusitis – Daily Mail
A towel and a bowl of steaming water may be a more effective way to tackle sinusitis than drugs. In a new trial, up to 300 patients will use inhalation to treat a condition that is often tackled with antibiotics. It comes in the wake of research showing that the amount of patients who recovered in ten days was about the same, whether they took an antibiotic or a placebo.
Acute sinusitis – inflammation of the linings of the sinuses – affects up to five per cent of adults. Symptoms include headaches, sore face and a blocked nose. In the trial, at Southampton University, researchers will compare steam inhalation and nasal irrigation, where patients flush 150ml of saline through each nostril daily for six months. The hot steam is thought to help clear the airways, which improves breathing and mucus flow.
Source: The Daily Mail – March 31st 2009
If you suffer with sinusitis then a Di Vapor steam shower may provide a great treatment.
The Finnish Secret!
Saunas have long been used in Scandinavia and are still considered a staple in everyday life. It is estimated that there are more saunas in Finland than there are television sets. The population of Finland is approximately 5.25 million (2005), therefore there is one sauna for every 2.6 people. When you contemplate this fact, it is quite evident how important saunas are in the Finnish culture. Why is it then, that these wooden houses are so popular, and why do the Finns hold them in such high esteem?
Saunas trigger the body to heat up, and sweat. This has two main benefits. Firstly, this heat causes the body to excrete toxins which build up in the body. Secondly, the high heat, which ranges from 80°C to 100°C, artificially triggers the body’s immune system into thinking a foreign virus has taken a hold of it. The body then releases antibodies and white blood cells to combat this virus. As a result the body’s immune system is strengthened, helping to ward off any future viral attack.
Without going into a full article on this, I challenge you to try a sauna (after given the all clear from your medical doctor of course), and see if you don’t feel like a million pounds afterwards.
Di Vapor Featured on Five.
This coming Boxing Day be sure to tune into Five at 7.15pm to see The Sahara Infrared Sauna in action! Di Vapor has been chosen to supply the Royal Institution of Christmas Lectures one of its infrared saunas for them to use during the episode titled “Chilled and Grilled“.
Dr Hugh Montgomery will be demonstrating how humans react to extreme temperatures, with scientific explanation into how our bodies handle these conditions. See how and why an infrared sauna can benefit your health firsthand in your everyday life.
five - Boxing Day – 7.15pm. Don’t miss it!