This Belt Harnesses the Benefits of an Infrared Sauna for Less Than the Price of a Massage

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I really felt that my whole life was going to change the day I got an infrared sauna blanket. I remember opening the box for the first time, all giddy with hope and promise: Made to dupe the effects of a traditional infrared sauna room, this thing would use infrared (IR) energy to boost my heart rate and blood circulation. In turn, that would trigger sweat akin to cardio exercise— all while I laid in a cozy cocoon of warmth. I could take a nap while stoking cardiovascular support! Leisurely scroll TikTok while reducing pain, stress, and fatigue! At least, that’s what studies on the body benefits of infrared energy suggested. What’s more, research also indicated that by penetrating the tissues with IR radiation, muscle relaxation, blood circulation, and metabolism could be boosted as well.

That was three years ago—and I think I’ve used the thing fewer than a dozen times. It turns out that carving out time to laze about in the name of health was just as tricky as making the time to actually exercise. When I did use the infrared sauna blanket, I found it was nearly as successful at making me uncomfortably hot and fidgety as when sitting in a full-blown sauna room. Besides, preparing to use a sauna blanket (dragging the thing out, changing into clothes to sweat through, setting up a headrest, water, etc.)—and wiping the thing down afterward—was more of a chore than I anticipated. So, under the bed, it sat.

Read more at The Daily Beast.