Infrared Sauna for Immune System Support

A strong, healthy immune system is your best defence against the colds, flu and seasonal viruses that come around each year.

You likely know that floatation therapy offers pain and stress relief, alongside numerous other health benefits. But did you know that floating also supports your immune system?

Science has well established the link between stress levels and immune function. When you are doing too much or feeling overwhelmed, you are more likely to get run down and sick.

Stress raises your body's cortisol levels and depletes the immune system. Imagine cortisol putting a blindfold over the eyes of your immune cells. This diminishes their function and leads to further stress. But this self-perpetuating cycle is one you can break, and even prevent in the first place, by reducing your stress levels. As stress lowers, your immune system stays stronger, and is more capable of defending you against colds, viruses, bacteria and various microorganisms.

So how do you reduce your stress? This is where the power of floating, to immerse your body and mind in total relaxation, can also support your immune function at the same time.

How float therapy supports your immune system

Chronic stress and poor sleep are two key factors that can compromise immune function. Both are directly supported by floating.

Floating produces a potent relaxation response that encourages healthy immune function by minimising stress hormones circulating throughout your body. Our pods do this swiftly, naturally and effectively through the unique sensory-reduced environment they create for you.

One of the most commonly reported benefits of floating is improved sleep. This is likely due to reduced stress hormones in your body post-float. Instead of poor sleep resulting in high stress that compromises your immune system, floating breaks the cycle. You leave calmer, happier and healthier. All it takes is 60-120 minutes in a float pod to allow your central nervous system to reach deeply calm states, supporting a better-functioning immune system. Consistent, healthier sleep is key to maintaining overall health, and floating can take you there.

The meditative and mindful aspect of floating also creates greater alertness, mental clarity and calm. This further supports healthy sleep and wiser decision-making, taking your health to the next level by including both body and mind.

How the infrared sauna supports your immune system

Regular private infrared sauna sessions at Beyond Rest Melbourne are a powerful way to support your immune system. Scientific research shows that a sauna session once or twice per week can decrease your chances of getting run down and sick. Here is how the IR sauna works:

Supports your white blood cell count

The heat generated by an infrared sauna stimulates energy at a cellular level. In turn, this supports your body's production of white blood cells. These cells are your first line of defence when infection strikes. Stimulated by the infrared sauna, your production of white blood cells can help your body fight off illness, keeping you healthier.

Triggers a fever-like immune response

As Hippocrates famously said: "give me a fever and I can cure any disease". A fever is the human body's way of creating the conditions for the immune system to perform better. A session in the infrared sauna puts your body into a comfortable fever-like state, triggering your immune system to act and protect you. Regular sauna sessions help maintain this stronger immune response.

Supports release of toxins from your body

Toxins are everywhere in modern life. From the air we breathe and the food we eat to the products we use and what we are exposed to without even knowing it. A key benefit of infrared sauna sessions is sweat-mediated detoxification. By sweating out the toxic load, your immune system has less to fight off, freeing it to use its power when and where it is most needed.

Supports cell regeneration

Infrared sauna sessions support cell regeneration, helping clear cells that may be damaged, old or ineffective, and replace them with new, fresh cells. While this process happens naturally, infrared heat speeds it up by helping your body run efficiently. Especially beneficial during the colder months, when the body is attacked more frequently.

Reduces your stress

As you know, high stress produces high levels of cortisol, which can result in a weakened immune system. Regular private infrared sauna sessions at Beyond Rest Perth can help. By balancing cortisol levels and relaxing both mind and body, your stress levels drop. You leave calmer of mind and stronger in body. And that is how you want to be.

Where to access float and infrared sauna in Melbourne and Perth

Beyond Rest runs six private wellness centres across Melbourne and Perth. Every infrared sauna session is in your own private cabin. Every float is in your own private pod. No shared spaces, no communal rooms.

Melbourne centres with full-spectrum infrared sauna and float therapy: Hawthorn East (2/96 Camberwell Rd), Moonee Ponds (14 Hinkins St), Collingwood (18 Rokeby St) and Prahran (26 Regent St). For the city pillar with all options, see High Heat 360° Infrared Sauna Melbourne.

Perth centres with full-spectrum infrared sauna and float therapy: East Perth (125 Edward St) and Wembley (1/252 Cambridge St). For the city pillar with all options, see High Heat 360° Infrared Sauna Perth.

For clients wanting a multi-modality immune support session, Hocatt combines ozone, infrared, photon light, EWOT and six more modalities in a single 35-minute session. Available at Hawthorn East, Prahran, East Perth and Wembley. See Hocatt for flu season immune prep for the pre-winter prep protocol.

To your health, the Beyond Rest Team.