Cyber engineering student and former cross-country skier, Lisa Kvamme, experienced a physical and emotional breakdown after losing her father two years ago. She is one of 10 people who will test the IR SaunaPod in the hope of regaining energy and joy in everyday life.
– I am essentially a positive and bubbly person, but the time after I lost my father has been difficult. I am exhausted, and my body is oozing with stress. My muscles feel heavy, I sleep poorly, and my body does not respond to exercise.
WEEK 0 - Maybe infrared sauna can fix me?
When Lisa heard about the health benefits of infrared sauna, such as better sleep and recovery, more energy, and increased detoxification, she thought, "check, I need everything."
– I feel like my body isn't cooperating. Blood tests are fine, I'm healthy, but exhausted. Maybe infrared sauna is what can fix me, or what gives my body a kickstart?
She is currently a cyber engineering student and loves being outdoors in nature. Before her studies, she focused on cross-country skiing but had to quit after getting mononucleosis.
– I was unwell for a long time and couldn't get back to the same level. I love skiing and exercising, but I don't get the same return from training as before. Now I'm tired and my muscles ache. It would be great if I felt recovered and more rested; that it doesn't feel so heavy every time I go skiing or running.
A great tool for a better everyday life
Lisa is curious about how her body will respond to the infrared sauna, and she has high expectations that infrared heat will be a good tool for a better everyday life. She is motivated to start her infrared health journey.
– I'm incredibly excited!
WEEK 3 - Easy to implement the sauna into daily life.
– I have more energy, and my muscles ache much less during training than before, says Lisa after her first three weeks of infrared health journey.
She packed her sauna for her Easter holiday and created "spa Sundays" with wellness and self-care, while trying to figure out what her best sauna routine is.
– The start has been very good. When I've traveled, the sauna tent has been with me, so I've been able to take an IR sauna three times a week. The sauna doesn't take up much space. I've been perfectly able to sit in the sauna in the living room with my family during Easter.
The only difference is infrared sauna
There's one thing in particular that has really surprised Lisa.
– I worked a lot in a sports shop during Easter where I stood on a hard floor all day. Previously, my hip, back, calves, and feet would get tired, but this Easter I haven't felt anything. I've even had longer days at work than before, and the only difference in my life is that I've started taking an IR sauna.
Lisa finds it easy to integrate the sauna into her daily life and is impressed by how quickly it heats up.
– We have a regular sauna at the cabin, and I used to have it on maximum heat there, meaning up to 100 degrees, but I still sweat more in the IR sauna at 65 degrees for 30 minutes than 30 minutes in the cabin sauna. It's truly fascinating.
"Spa Sunday"
To find a good sauna routine, she has tried a few things, including taking an IR sauna in the middle of the day, directly after a workout, in the afternoon, and in the evening, but not so late that she only showered, brushed her teeth, and got ready.
– I'll try that tonight, she says with a smile, adding that she also needs to try what it's like to take a sauna as soon as she wakes up.
The first week, Lisa started with a lower temperature, then increased it with each sauna session. By the second week, she was ready to do 30 minutes at 65 degrees.
– I feel a bit drowsy after taking a sauna. It probably suits me best to take it before bedtime. Nevertheless, it has been incredibly lovely to create a "spa Sunday" with IR sauna, hair wash, hair treatment, shaving my legs, and a face mask, and just take the day completely easy. I have also taken a sauna directly after training before showering as a lovely end to the workout.
Lighter in spirit, enjoying the sauna
She also believes that she has become a little lighter in spirit over the past few weeks, which she describes as very pleasant.
The plan for the next three weeks is to find a good sauna routine.
– I'll start taking it right before bedtime to see if it helps with sleep. I'll also continue to take it after some workouts, before I shower.
Lisa feels very lucky to be a test person.
– I'm really enjoying my sauna tent. I'm simply looking forward to the continuation.
WEEK 6 – More daytime energy, better sleep, and really soft skin.
These are some of the experiences Lisa has had after six weeks on her infrared health journey.
She is now in the middle of a stressful exam period and actively uses her infrared sauna as a tool to get through the final stretch of her bachelor's studies.
– It will be very exciting to see how my body responds in the coming weeks, both during and after the last exam.
Lisa explains that she is always stressed and drained of energy during exam periods, but that it is not as bad as in previous exam periods so far. She has also started taking a sauna before going to bed, as it gives her – and her boyfriend – better sleep.
– I'm extremely restless at night, but I've noticed a positive difference when I take a sauna in the evening. Then I don't have to keep Markus, my boyfriend, awake with my fidgeting at night.
Noticeably more energy
Regarding exhaustion, she noticed a big difference in the first three weeks of her health journey, but the curve hasn't been as steep in the last three weeks.
– I'm a morning person and usually jump up early, but the last few weeks it's been a bit difficult to get up. During the day, however, I have noticeably more energy.
Something that has surprised her greatly is how soft her skin has become.
– I thought I had pretty soft skin before, but after six weeks of regular infrared sauna use, I've got really baby-smooth skin all over my body. It's really soft and it's so lovely, she exclaims.
She has otherwise had her last ski trip of the season and hasn't had time to train as much as desired, but that will naturally improve after her bachelor's thesis is submitted.
Bachelor's thesis and infrared sauna
Taking a sauna right before brushing her teeth and going to bed has become a good routine for several reasons.
– I find it very pleasant to have some alone time before going to bed, whether I'm working on school or just gathering my thoughts after the day.
During the first couple of weeks of her health journey, she found 30 minutes in the sauna difficult to complete and it took time for her to get used to the heat.
– Now it's much better. I can sit for over 60 minutes, and from not being able to do anything when I took a sauna, I can now sit in the sauna and write my bachelor's thesis at the same time. Now I'm really looking forward to getting into my sweat tent!
Lisa takes a sauna session almost every day, sitting for anywhere from 45-60 minutes.
– It's incredibly easy. It's just "plug and play," and, as I've mentioned before, it heats up so quickly. In a stressful everyday life, it's feasible to take an IR sauna almost daily. Especially when you can work on school while sitting and sweating.
WEEK 10 – The IR SaunaPod became a turning point for former cross-country skier, Lisa.
– I'm convinced that the sauna has helped me with recovery and energy, but also psychologically.
She had her first laughing fit in class in two years.
– They just said, "Oh, we haven't seen this before." I've had laughing fits at home with my partner, Markus, and close ones, but I haven't allowed myself to laugh that much with others, at least not in the two years since my dad died. It was a bit like, "Oh, I actually laughed for real."
More glimpses of light in everyday life
Infrared sauna is something she looks forward to taking every evening. It has become a good tool for her.
– When I applied to join the infrared health journey, I was depressed and experienced extreme physical exhaustion. I felt like I was going down and down, but now it has turned around. Even though I still have difficult days, there are more glimpses of light in everyday life, she openly shares.
Lisa found it difficult to talk about the depression she experienced after her father's sudden and tragic death. Her world was turned upside down. From being fully active and in peak physical condition, she had little energy.
– I thought it was really embarrassing, and it's hard when people ask; are you still tired? Or say, it's no wonder you're tired, with all you're doing. I'm used to having enormous capacity and being on all the time. I've always been positive and bubbly, but the time after losing my father has been tough.
Before she started taking saunas, she experienced no improvement from exercising, and if she didn't exercise, she got worse. She was really sluggish. IR sauna has contributed to several uplifts throughout her health journey.
A good tool for pain relief and less stress
She feels that her mood is lighter, and the pain relief and increased energy that she noticed improving halfway through have persisted.
– I've struggled with heel pain and shin splints. I haven't had problems with that since I started using the sauna, and I'm using the same shoes as before.
She has managed to get through the exam period, which became her big test, both written, oral, with mandatory attendance, bachelor's thesis writing, and physical tests. In addition to some weekend work.
– I always feel exam stress, and of course I did now too, but to a lesser extent than in previous semesters. I'm convinced that taking infrared sauna has made the journey easier. Not decisive, but a good tool. My boyfriend asked yesterday, isn't it wonderful that you're done with everything you're going to be graded on?
Lisa laughs as she tells the story.
– I don't think I've realized it yet, but I'm very proud of myself for having managed to get through it despite how low I've been.
Calmer sleep, well-being, and better recovery
Lisa sleeps more calmly when she takes a sauna in the evening. She noticed the effect particularly well when she couldn't take a sauna for a few days because she was traveling. The restless sleep returned but improved when she was able to take a sauna again.
She feels that the sauna is also a tool for well-being. Throughout the day, she looks forward to some "me-time" in the evening, whether she's working on school or just completely relaxing in the sauna tent.
– Even if it's something I have to do on the computer, I can also do something I enjoy at the same time. I feel like I'm cleansing my body. It's comfortable and really lovely to sit there, and I'm still surprised by how incredibly soft my skin has become.
Recently, she also had a training uplift.
– When we ran 3000 meters this week, I ran it for the best grade, she smiles, and continues.
– It's probably largely the sauna that has allowed me to recover between training sessions. I've now started training hard again after six months of only low-intensity training.
In addition, Lisa visited her physiotherapist right before and after her 10-week health journey with the sauna.
– She's a physiotherapist I've been seeing regularly for several years. She focuses on the lymphatic system and cleansing the body of waste products, and she noticed a big difference in my body. There was better flow and "harmony" than before. She also noticed my soft skin.
Commuter sauna
Lisa will continue to take the IR sauna regularly. It will be a commuter sauna that she'll take with her when she starts a new job after the summer.
– I'm going to enjoy myself. Taking an infrared sauna has definitely given me a taste for more. It's been great fun to participate in the infrared health journey, and I'm glad I dared to submit an application.
Text: Trine Dahlman
Read an update on Lisa's health journey ONE YEAR LATER!
