Welcome to the first “Ask Jen” minisode on the Homes that Heal podcast!

Today, I am answering common questions about infrared saunas. Whether you’re curious about their health benefits or considering adding one to your wellness routine, I hope this helps you learn more and decide if infrared saunas are right for you.

Understanding Red Light Therapy in Infrared Saunas

Question 1: Do you use Red Light Therapy inside your sauna?

Jen’s Answer: Yes, I have a Red Light Therapy Tower in my sauna and I absolutely love it. Many of you know that I only use Clearlight®️ saunas, it’s the only brand I trust in my home and what I had in my sauna studio. I think it’s the safest and most effective infrared sauna on the market. 

Personal Routine

My routine for using Red Light Therapy starts with heating my sauna for about 30 minutes. When I get in, I turn on the Red Light Therapy Tower. Usually, it’s on for the first 10-15 minutes of my sauna session while my body is warming up. My face is usually pretty close to it because I relish its amazing benefits—anti-aging, collagen production, and all the other incredible benefits of red light therapy, otherwise known as photo bio modulation therapy (PBM).

Here are my additional recommendations for using Red Light Therapy during your sauna session:

• Start with Red Light Therapy: Begin your sauna session with red light therapy to prepare your body and enhance the overall experience.
• Positioning: Ensure that your body is directly in front of the red light source to maximize exposure and benefits.
• Combination with Heat Therapy: Combining red light therapy with the heat from the sauna can amplify the therapeutic effects, promoting deeper relaxation and healing.

Electrical Outlet Requirements for Saunas

Question 2: Do I need a dedicated electrical outlet for my sauna?

Jen’s Answer: The answer depends on which sauna model you’re looking at. Clearlight®️ saunas can have different electrical needs depending on the model:

• Standard Wall Outlet: Some sauna models (Sanctuary 1, Premier IS-1, and Premier IS-2 saunas) are designed to be plugged into a standard wall outlet, making them convenient for home use.
• Dedicated Electrical Outlet: Other models (Sanctuary 2 and higher, or Premier IS-3 and higher) require a dedicated electrical outlet, which might necessitate professional installation.

Ensure your home’s electrical setup matches your sauna’s requirements for safe and effective use. Here are some tips:

• Check the Specifications: Always review the electrical specifications of the sauna model you are interested in.
• Consult a Professional: If your sauna requires a dedicated electrical outlet, consult a licensed electrician to handle the installation.
• Safety First: Ensure that your electrical setup meets all safety standards to prevent any hazards.

Setting Up Your Sauna on Different Flooring Types

Question 3: Can I set up the sauna on the carpet?

Jen’s Answer: The answer is that it’s basically like any other piece of furniture. You can set it up on any type of flooring, such as carpet, hardwood, laminate, or even concrete. The key requirement is that the surface must be level and dry. If there are any dips, valleys, or slopes, you can use wood shims or find creative ways to level it.

Here are some tips for different flooring types:

• Carpet: Ensure the carpet is low-pile and the surface underneath is level. Consider placing a rug outside the sauna door though, this will keep your carpet free of sweat stains plus easy to toss in the wash.
• Hardwood and Laminate: These surfaces are generally suitable as long as they are level. Again, using a rug outside the door is best to reduce a slipping hazard plus keep your floor clean.
• Concrete: Concrete is an excellent option due to its durability. Just make sure the surface is level and clean before installation. If in a cooler area, you can also set up the sauna on a rug to create a bit of a barrier from the cooler concrete temps.

Enhancing Your Sauna Experience with a Sound System

Question 4: Does the sauna come with a sound system? What can I listen to?

Jen’s Answer: Yes! One of the many reasons why I love Clearlight®️ is their technology allows you to sync your phone or iPad to it so you can listen to music, podcasts, guided meditations, or even a guided workout. In general, I don’t bring my phone inside the sauna, but you can sync it to the sound system with Nakamichi stereo speakers, controllable by whatever device you’re using.

What you listen to is totally up to you. If you’re asking me what I listen to or you’re curious about how I use my sauna space, the short answer is “it depends on my mood”, but here are a few of my faves:

• Meditation: Time to go inward, be still, and be quiet. Sometimes, I’m just thinking, processing, creating, or asking myself questions that I need answers to, and then I listen to my gut and get my intuition.
• Guided Visualizations: I’m a huge fan of Brain Tap and have the app on my phone. I enjoy listening to guided visualizations for rewiring the brain or doing positive work in the neurological space.
• Music and Educational Content: I listen to music, sometimes on Pandora or from my 1990s playlist. I also enjoy using that time and space for educational purposes, like listening to podcasts or focusing on something I need to learn without interruptions.

Was this Q&A helpful? Email me your feedback!

Clearlight®️ Infrared Sauna Review

Before I let you go, I’d like to share a surprise message from someone who used to come to Jenerate Wellness Studio and then purchased a sauna for his home.

“Jen, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve changed my life and I don’t understate this. I suffered for years with migraine headaches and since I invested in the Clearlight infrared sauna, not only are my migraines gone, but I’ve lost 20 pounds! My lower back pain is also gone, my sleep has improved, and my wife says I’m a happier, healthier husband. Thank you for your kind heart, your guidance, and your expertise. I am forever grateful.”

Rob from Wisconsin

Stay tuned for the upcoming “Ask Jen” feature on my website soon. Explore infrared saunas here —it’s your gateway to a healthier home.

Let’s make wellness a daily habit together.