When the air conditioning in my West Hollywood office went out for three days straight, it felt like a punishment from God. But I'm not going to let something as small and insignificant as an overheated unit keep me away from getting some ice cream! So instead of heading home early on this sweltering Saturday morning like usual when there's no relief around, all because our A/C broke again just before Memorial Day Weekend (a holiday we never celebrate), you'll find me sweating profusely while walking up Melrose Avenue in search-of another urban sweat lodge-Studio City.
Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Named Shape House offers 55-minute sweat sessions that involve lying on an infra sauna bed while being wrapped tightly with far infrared heat. Unlike traditional saunas, where people sit around wooden benches covered by towels and let warm air blast through their bodies as they recover from working out or just relaxing for whatever reason (maybe because it's too hot outside), here you'll remain stationary throughout your session excepting any movements necessary to change positions within what feels like a private sweat paradise--a place specially made only for those who seek solace away from all aspects both public scrutiny.
I'm soon hustled off to a private room that contains what seems like an elaborate sleeping bag. Inmates are given socks and sweatpants before being seated near the bed, where they'll stay for their session of sweating it out under intense heat while watching TV if desired--a distraction meant not only as entertainment but also as therapeutic relief from such conditions! It's thought this practice may help with weight loss by detoxifying your body; clear skin primarily thanks to its positive effects on heart health (which include less stress); muscle recovery after exercise or injury because FAR infrared energy helps promote collagen production, which keeps you strong.
The session begins with only my head exposed to the comforting warmth. The intensity of far-infrared heat builds slowly at first, feeling like I could lie here forever if need be; but by 15 minutes into an episode of Modern Family (my distraction), beads start rolling down from my forehead, and my hands become clammy beneath covers while heart rate kicks up too--although no movement has been made whatsoever.
"The reason we do this," says Sophie Chiche of Shape House, founder/ designer here-and it's not just me talking-"is that its very quick way get you response almost like having fever." So once heated up ?" explains she-, "the body attempts lots Of heat breakthrough vapor.
The heat is terrible, but I know it's a small price to pay for being alive. My body has been lying in this sweat-soaked cocoon for hours now, and my heart rate has slowed down just enough that when they play the next scene on Modern Family, everything will seem less intense because my attention can focus elsewhere instead of being taken up with trying not to die from heat stroke or dehydration before then end.
As I'm lounging in bed, waiting for the 55-minute session to end so that I can finally get some relaxation time after this exhausting work week...a woman comes up to me! She gestures toward my hot tea, which seems counterintuitive at first but makes sense as soon as it's gone down. By drinking iced or boiling water with fresh fruits inside (or just sugar), you are helping yourself stay cooler by signaling your body how many cooling mechanisms are activated, such as sweating out a sweat-even if it is not.
Many factors could make this number different for everyone, but I've burned somewhere in the ballpark of 800- 1400 calories, according to Chiche, while you might be quick.
A lot more than running on a treadmill at home or outside if it is warm enough! She clarifies how we know going so hard won't harm us since our bodies were made with these types of exercises just as any other form of exercise does--to elevate their heart rate, which allows them again after some time has passed because they're pushing themselves harder.
Sweating has many health benefits, and it's easy to see why you might want to sweat more often. According to Chiche, there are plenty of reasons for doing so- here is what we found out when speaking with Drs Josh Axe & Cedar place him at the top of our list!
It aids in weight loss.
The first thing you should know about sweating is that it boosts weight loss. It may seem like just water retention, but because your body has been working so hard for this brief moment in time- during which all systems are on standby -you're also using energy and burning calories; contributing permanently towards more physical transformation than any other activity or punishment committed by man could ever achieve.
Removes toxins from the body.
Sweat isn't just for hydration - it's also an important way to flush out toxins from the body. Sweat contains many natural chemicals shown in studies to remove heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic. These are usually found near or inside our organs because they dissolve very quickly when mixed with water. However, sweat can't eliminate all chemical threats, so we need other sources, like drinking filtered.
It helps regulate your body temperature - which is why it's such an important part of our natural cooling system. When we sweat, the evaporation of the moisture on our skin helps to lower our internal temperature and keep us from overheating. This is especially important in hot weather or during exercise, when our bodies tend to produce more heat than usual.
Improves heart health.
Sweating is not just an act of hygiene, but rather it helps you stay cool and refreshed. As Chiche explains in his article "Why You Shouldn't Be Ashamed Of Your sweating Nature," putting your body through some heat can be good for both the heart and cardiovascular health! Axe points out that there are studies proving this, too - one from 2015 found men who sweat more often have lower risks than those without much rustic movement; another study was done last year. When the heart rate is increased and then decreases back down again regularly, it helps to make the heart muscle stronger and more efficient overall.
Helps in muscles recovery.
Sweating may be a bit of an old story, but it's still worth keeping in mind for its health benefits. "Sweat can help with muscle recovery and alleviate soreness," says Axe - which is why some people choose not to shower after working out or playing sports. There are also benefits to saunas, which have been shown in studies to help with everything from weight loss to skin conditions like psoriasis. Muscles need time to recover and rebuild after being worked out - and sweating can help with that process by flushing out toxins and delivering nutrients to the muscles.
Improves your immunity
Skin is a crucial part of our immune system, that enables sense considering it's often the first line of defense in opposition of everything you come in contact with each day. Axe explains that human sweat contains a natural germ-killing protein called dermcidin - this can protect again strains or bacteria infecting people who have diseases like MRSA (a type III fungal infection) and tuberculosis. The more you sweat, the more dermcidin is produced; and while we don't want it.
Helps in glowing skin.
The benefits of sweat are not just limited to flushing out toxins - it also exfoliates the skin by removing impurities like dirt and makeup.
In fact, according to the shape house website, "sweat has been shown" in studies conducted over time both abroad as well at home across Europe, among other places where people enjoy this natural remedy that's gaining popularity fast. Not only does our body produce more than enough water vapor while exercising, but when we workout outdoors, air pollution levels decrease, which helps purify our pores. Plus, cleansers work better if they come after exercising since physical activity often reveals any lurking germs or foreign bodies left.
Boosts your mood.
Sweat with abandon! The endorphins that are released when you sweat can do wonders for your mood and overall well-being.
While we certainly don't have to venture into an urban sweat lodge on a hot summer's day just so to experience these benefits, everyone has to access the ability to sweat in order make them feel good effects from their natural bodily function; all they need is water after engaging cardio workouts or sessions where there will be lots minutes spent beneath heat lamps outside (or inside).
It loosens your pores.
Sweating is actually good for your skin! It allows pores to unclog and allow all of that dirt, oil etc., out just like water from a hose would flow down the drain if you left it unattended. It would be best if you showered as soon afterward, so bacteria doesn't end up right back into those tight little spaces where they belong - over there on their own accord (no pun intended). It's also why you sometimes see people with what looks like permanent acne around their hairline; they just never take care of that area properly.
Reduces the risk of kidney stones.
Kidney stones are a very common problem. And while you might think using the bathroom less could cause concern, it actually helps with kidney related issues and makes sure that there is no build-up of minerals in your body which can lead to more serious medical conditions such as hypertension or Hypoposphoriasis (an inflammation). Sweating also causes us to drink even greater amounts of water, so by limiting our sweating through warm weather months, we risk letting these toxins sit on top of what goes down during bathing causing further complications.