I Sweat Like I Would at a High-Intensity Workout Thanks to This At-Home Sauna Blanket

I like to sweat. In fact, I crave that “looks like you were caught in a rainstorm” type of sweat where you’re drenched but magically energized, refreshed, and ready to take on the world. Typically, I prefer sweat-inducing activities like running or yoga, but I’ve been a long-time fan of infrared saunas. It may age me, but I can recall sweating it out in the brand new HigherDose infrared saunas at the ABC Carpet & Home store in NYC circa 2016. The concept was new: book a time to detox and relax while sweating in a small infrared sauna. From the first session, I was hooked. Fast forward almost 10 years: I live in the suburbs and have three children. No time to book a leisurely hour to sweat. Enter: the HigherDose Infrared Sauna blanket.

A mood-boosting, sweat-inducing, skin-brightening, recovery-enhancing blanket that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home. It’s safe to say I found the best wellness gift available this season. Yes, I put this sauna blanket to the test, sweating out my stress, woes, and worries for 30 minutes to 45 minutes every day for two weeks. If you want in as well, now’s your chance. This HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket is currently 20 percent off for Cyber Monday, lowering the price to $559.

HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket

7 Benefits I Experienced While Using My HigherDose Blanket

Sauna blankets make you sweat like you’ve just done a high-intensity workout, activating the body’s natural detoxification system, but low and behold, I’m not going to list “detox” as a benefit. Maybe it’s because I’m a dietitian and frankly sensitive to that term, but no, it’s because I feel strongly about the other benefits I experienced. Here are the seven ways I benefitted from using the HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket.

• Better Sleep: I may or may not have fallen asleep multiple times during my infrared sauna blanket sessions. But overall, the quality of my sleep improved (and my Apple Watch can attest to this). I fell asleep faster, woke up feeling more refreshed, and had more vivid dreams.
• Faster Recovery: As a seasoned runner and yogi, I’m used to soreness, but a new strength training regime has left my muscles begging for better recovery methods. After using the blanket, I noticed that my muscles felt stronger, more pliable, and less sore.
• Improved Mood: Maybe it’s the approaching holiday season, my third daughter’s impending first birthday, or just life, but my mood has been lower than usual in the past month. While a walk or run (or some outside time with the kiddos) can usually turn any frown upside down, I found a natural mood boost after each infrared session.
• Fewer Aches and Pains: Is this blanket the secret to reversing the clock? Recently, I’ve felt aches and pains crawl in each morning, and it takes a solid 10-minute stretch to get all the kinks out. After consistently using my sauna blanket, those oh-so-ouchy, crinkly neck mornings became non-existent.
• Brighter skin: We all know that sweating naturally removes impurities from the skin, but it also made my skin look brighter. I’m sold for this single benefit alone.
• Improved Digestion: If you ever have tummy troubles, you’ll want to get in on this infrared sauna blanket benefit. Yes, my digestion woes decreased as a side effect. Infrared sauna blankets increase circulation, which pumps blood throughout the body. Movement of blood generally triggers movement of, well, other things in your system. Wink, wink.
• Boosted Energy: Last but not least, after consistently using my sauna blanket for two weeks, I felt a surge in energy. As an eternally tired mom of three, I will take any non-caffeine-induced energy boost I can get (within reason). True to the marketing, yes, I did ‘feel higher, naturally’ — happier, healthier, energized, and more mentally clear.

During my seven cumulative hours spent sweating in this sauna blanket, I had a lot of time to think about what I loved most about it. I’ll cull it down to the main points, but here’s what sets this blanket apart from the rest.

• Temperature: Simply put, it gets very hot. The temperature ranges from 68 to 158 degrees.
• FSA/HSA Eligible: Put those FSA/HSA dollars to work! This awesome product is eligible for those funds.
• EMF Safe: Unlike competitive products, this blanket is safe, effective, and free of EMF.
• Convenience: No need to travel to an actual sauna or build a sauna in your home. This portable sauna travels with you so that you can reap the benefits of an infrared sauna whenever and wherever (as long as there’s an outlet).
• Easy-to-Clean: The side-zip design makes this sauna blanket super easy to open and wipe down after use. The material wipes down easily and is super durable.
• Affordability: You need to think of this relatively. This blanket is not an inexpensive item. However, a full-spectrum infrared sauna is $8,999, so this blanket gets the same job done at less than 10 percent of the cost. Plus, if you like to book a sauna visit, it’s typically $85 a pop, so for the sale price of this blanket, you’d get about six in-person sauna visits. From my POV, the convenience and benefits are worth the price tag.

If you’re looking for a more affordable (or more portable) version, we tested various infrared sauna blankets. That said, I felt safe, comfortable, and super sweaty with this superior product.

So You Bought A Sauna Blanket, Here’s How to Use It

Curious to learn how I used my blanket? Follow along.

1. Lay the sauna blanket out on a flat, heat-resistant surface (I used my bed and/or a yoga mat).
2. Plug the blanket it and turn it to your desired level (1-9) and let it “pre-heat” for 10 minutes.
3. Cover up your skin with clothes and socks or simply use a towel (I love the Higher Dose insert. Super convenient, plush, and easy to wash).
4. Lay down inside the blanket, zip the blanket around you, and adjust the shoulder panels to keep the heat in.
5. Relax and sweat for 30 to 45 minutes. Note the blanket will automatically turn off after 60 minutes.
6. Hit the shower! Rinse off using cold water to cool your system and leave you feeling super refreshed.