On cold days, when a cold may be starting a trickle in the throat, there might be a wait. The little space under the stairs has become a welcoming cave. Not a dark cave, but one that is filled with light — and heat.
For a nice price, you can pay for an infrared spa treatment at select spas around the country. After researching and discovering the benefits of infrared red light therapy for aches and pains, fine lines and wrinkles, and boosting the immune system, I wanted to build my own mini spa. But how to build one safely for daily use?
While feeling the heat of an infrared heat envelop your body is immediately soothing, and feels wonderful, there is a lot going on beneath the surface of the skin. Because of its long wavelength, infrared light penetrates deeply, 8-10 millimeters reaching the blood vessels, lymph pathways, nerves and tissues of the body.
Scientifically, the reason that this “red heat” knocks out a cold and boosts your immune system because of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the energy of life that is responsible for restoring, repairing, maintaining, and energizing the body. A sufficient supply of ATP enhances collagen production, balances hormones, metabolizes fat, among other benefits.
“Red light actually breaks the bond between nitric oxide and cytochrome c oxidase so that it’s free to be turned into ATP,” explained by the Holistic Health Herbalist.
So, I came up with a brilliant plan using the wire shelving unit that is about 5 feet long. The first rack is adjusted around four feet above the floor. The purpose of this rack is to form a barrier between the lamp and the body lying below. If the lamp becomes loose and drops, heaven forbid, this “shelf” will hold the lamp and keep it from falling on a person lying below, and causing a burn.
About 12-18 inches above this “barrier” rack is another rack, which I have attached four hooks to hang the four infrared heat lamps with clamps. Each lamp is plugged into surge protector, which we turn on with a simple switch.
On the floor, is a patio chair lounge cushion. Around the rack, I have built virtual walls by attaching curtains, away from the lamps, to drape around the structure to allow heat to build up in the system.
Laying under these lamps on a cloud, dreary, blustery day feels like a day at the beach. All you need is 20 minutes, and you’re set for the day.
Seriously — these parts are not expensive — figure out where you can build one, and spend a virtual day at the beach.