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In this article Can Sauna Use and Red Light Therapy Improve Eye Health we are learning more about Sauna and Red light Therapy.

Can Sauna Use and Red Light Therapy Improve Eye Health?

Sauna therapy has long been hailed for its health benefits, with regular use linked to improved cardiovascular health, detoxification, and relaxation.

Finnish-style saunas, in particular, have been shown to strengthen the cardiovascular system over time. According to Dr. Setor Kunutsor, this is due to the body’s reaction to extreme heat, which makes the heart pump faster, thereby circulating more blood through our body to cool us down.

As the popularity of saunas has soared, so too has the interest in newer red light therapy saunas. This innovation combines the soothing heat of traditional saunas with the potential benefit of red and near-infrared light. Advocates claim that this combination may do more than just relieve stress and detoxify the body – it might even improve eye health.

But how much truth is there to these claims? This article will explore whether sauna use and red light therapy can benefit your eyes and offer practical tips for maintaining healthy vision.

Sauna therapy, red light therapy, and eye health

Although sauna therapy is widely recognized for its general health benefits, the specific effects on eye health are still under research. Sauna sessions primarily help improve circulation and promote mental relaxation.

As we discussed in a previous post, some sauna treatments may include the use of plants and herbs like roses, which have a calming effect that can prevent depression and reduce stress.

Meanwhile, a sauna session’s ability to improve circulation can have indirect benefits for ocular health.

A study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology indicates that regular sauna use helped improve blood flow and reduce systemic inflammation.

While the study didn’t directly focus on the eyes, improved circulation may help minimize oxidative stress in ocular tissues, a factor in many eye conditions such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Red light therapy, on the other hand, has been studied more extensively for its potential therapeutic benefits for eye health.

One groundbreaking study from University College London’s Institute of Ophthalmology found that a 3-minute exposure to deep red light in the morning once per week can improve vision that has declined due to aging, for up to one week.

While these studies show promise, it’s important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of saunas and red light therapy for eye health.

Maintaining healthy eyes requires a comprehensive approach, so below are science-backed strategies for supporting eye health.

Science-backed ways to improve eye health

First and foremost, routine eye exams are crucial for detecting early signs of eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, which can be asymptomatic in their early stages.

Depending on age and risk factors, adults should schedule an eye exam every 1 to 2 years. Simply look up “eye exams near me,” online and you can find reputable optical chains where you can book in-depth eye tests by independent doctors of optometry. During these exams, an optometrist will test for visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and the health of the retina and optic nerve.

In addition to regular eye exams, certain lifestyle choices can support your ocular health. For instance, a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E is known to protect the eyes from oxidative damage.

More specifically, research shows that the antioxidant-rich Mediterranean diet can protect against the onset of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Ideally, you should combine a healthy diet with eye care practices like wearing UV-filtering sunglasses, which can shield your eyes from harmful UV rays known to contribute to cataracts and macular degeneration.

Sauna use and red light therapy offer promising benefits for general wellness, but their direct effects on eye health are still emerging. Therefore, it’s essential to continue traditional methods like regular eye exams and proper nutrition to maintain optimal vision over time.

What do you think about this “Can Sauna Use and Red Light Therapy Improve Eye Health” article? Did you learn something new? You can leave a comment or send me an E-Mail.

Best wishes,

Sauna-Kati

In the article “What is a Finnish sauna like”, I explain the basic features of a safe sauna. When I have been living abroad, I have come across many different saunas. Many of them are not build according to Finnish standards.

What is a Finnish sauna like

First of all, a Finnish sauna is built correctly and safely. The sauna’s ceilings and stepstool are sturdy. The nails should not stick out and should not be visible.

The heater is correctly installed by an electrician. The heater is always installed with a proper power cord.

The heater must not be too close to the wall or boards. There must be a non-combustible underlay under the wood-burning stove.

Nothing flammable should be placed near the heater.

The electric heater or the resistors of the electric heater may catch fire if they break. It is therefore important to check the stones and resistors of the stove once a year.

The stones of the heater must be reloaded with air and checked for any bulges, for example at the back of the heater.

There is one unfortunate case of this from last autumn. The stove had not been checked and maintained. And the sauna was on at night when a fire broke out and five people died. There was a bulge behind the stove which, when it hit the wall, set the sauna on fire.

For example, it is the responsibility of the tenant to check the stove at regular intervals. It is not the owner’s responsibility.

For a wood-burning stove, it is important to follow the repair instructions and advice of the chimney sweep. These must be repaired immediately.

The heater must not be left unattended while the sauna is being heated.

Similarly, when heating an electric sauna, make sure that there is nothing on the stove that can catch fire.

Wie geht man energieeffizient in die Sauna

Is it allowed to have a socket in the sauna?

There must be no sockets or other switches inside the sauna. The sauna heater may have fixed operating switches such as a thermostat and a timer. The sauna light switch must be outside the sauna.

The sauna is not a storage room

This is an important rule to remember, the sauna is not a storage room or a place to dry your laundry. There must be nothing extra in the sauna that could catch fire. For example, do not hang or dry anything on the clothesline or on the stove.

Nowadays, there are saunas that can be lit remotely, so that the clothes are not forgotten in the sauna and the risk of fire is increased.

Always remember to check that there is nothing in the sauna or on the stove that could catch fire.

Ventilation

Ventilation in the sauna should be adequate and continuous. There must be oxygen in the sauna when you are taking a sauna. Ventilation of the sauna should be easy and effective after a sauna. The air should also be changed between sauna sessions. Otherwise you will be confronted with a stale smell.

Can the sauna heater explode?

The heater itself cannot explode, but the resistors can. However, in one case it was due to ceramic stones that were not compatible with the stoves of the company in question.

Fortunately, no one was in the sauna when the explosion occurred. The stones were thrown all over the sauna.

However, this is an exceptional case so no worries about taking a sauna as long as the stove and stones are the right ones. Be sure to check with the heater manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Read more: How to light a wood burning sauna

Safe sauna bathing

Don’t overdo it and heat the sauna too hot or throw the sauna so often that you get burns. Or stay in the sauna too long. Remember to listen to your body, don’t watch what others are doing and leave if you feel uncomfortable.

People with cardiovascular disease should take it easy when starting a sauna and talk to their doctor first. Remember to listen to your body.

Throw the steam so that the hot water vapour does not attack your hands or face. Remember to create the steam in a calm way.