Peter Jürgensen was enrolled in an infrared health journey by his daughter. He loves hiking and ski touring in the mountains, and plays tennis and golf in the summer. – I want to try the IR SaunaPod for faster recovery and against psoriasis, he says.
With retirement came the opportunity to be even more physically active than before.
– I'm over 80, but I really enjoy being active. Despite my age, I go on many hikes, especially skiing. Being active is a big part of my well-being, as I always have been. I almost get an adrenaline rush before starting a ski tour, he says, laughing, before adding that the best thing about ski touring is the nature experience and the rush he gets from the descent.
WEEK 0 - Enrolled by his daughter.
It was his daughter Therese who signed him up after having a good experience herself with infrared sauna, which she bought for herself as a 40th birthday gift last year.
– I bought it for wellness. I've always loved saunas and I train a lot. The sauna is absolutely fantastic and extremely easy to use. From the moment I turn it on, it only takes five minutes until I can sit inside. I sleep better, and it's good for my muscles after hard workouts.
Sometimes Therese also takes an infrared sauna just to sweat it out. A bonus is her skin, which glows after the sauna sessions.
– It looks like I've had a facial. I almost feel like a new person afterward, she smiles.
Psoriatic arthritis and faster recovery
Therese thought infrared sauna might help her father with more well-being in his daily life. Peter also has psoriasis and mild psoriatic arthritis, and his hands and feet are often cold.
– If an infrared sauna can reduce recovery time a little, especially after ski tours, and help with psoriasis, that would be great, Peter continues.
On summit hikes, he uses all his strength, and it takes longer to recover now than it did before.
Looking forward to trying infrared sauna
Peter is used to traditional saunas and has experienced good effects from them. His body relaxes and he sleeps better, especially after hard workouts.
– If an infrared sauna has an effect that is at least as good as a traditional sauna, that's great, and it's so practical to be able to have one at home, and even use it in the middle of the living room. I'm really looking forward to trying it and am excited about the results, Peter concludes.
WEEK 3 - Peter experiences that infrared sauna affects recovery time and that the adrenaline in his body calms down faster after exercise.
– The sauna has so far met expectations, he says.
For Peter, the start of his infrared health journey has gone well.
– The sauna was easy to assemble and I got started easily.
Uses the sauna after physical exertion
During the first three weeks as a test person, there have been many trips, both skiing, walking, and cycling. Peter has mainly used the IR sauna after physical exertion and trips.
– I find that it affects recovery time. In addition, I notice that the adrenaline in my body calms down faster after exercise; that the body lands faster.
In the short time of three weeks, Peter has not yet noticed changes in his psoriasis, but the sauna has so far met expectations.
– I was surprised by how much I sweated, even though I didn't feel hot. This is a different experience than I have from traditional wood-fired saunas.
Good investment for health and well-being
Peter is also surprised by how easy it is to use the sauna. It's always set up and takes up little space. Having it at home also makes it very convenient to use.
– I take an IR sauna about four times a week. As mentioned, after hiking and physical activity, while listening to a podcast and relaxing. I will continue with similar use in the coming weeks.
The thoughts he is left with after starting are that infrared sauna can be a good investment for health and well-being.
WEEK 6 – After six weeks of infrared health journey, Peter feels that joint pain has eased and that he is less stiff in his hips and knees.
In addition, the positive experiences from week three, with faster recovery, have continued.
– Things are going well with me and the sauna, we've become a steady pair. I've continued to use it regularly, and it's set up at home at all times.
Lighter body and faster recovery
Taking an infrared sauna has already become a habit. Peter finds it very enjoyable that he can use the sauna at home, right after a hike or workout.
– Since it's there, it's so easily accessible, even just for comfort.
Peter has used the sauna four to five times a week, for about 30 minutes each time.
– I sweat a lot when I sit in there, more than in a regular wood-fired sauna. I feel much lighter in my body and recover faster.
The sauna has the effect of relaxing his body.
– If I'm going to do something other than relax afterwards, I'll take a cold shower to get my circulation going again.
Psoriatic arthritis and less stiffness in the joints
He feels that the discomfort associated with his psoriatic arthritis is alleviated when he uses the infrared sauna.
– I have the feeling that the pain eases a bit. I have psoriasis rashes on my arms. I haven't noticed any change in the cosmetic aspect yet.
He otherwise feels less stiffness in his joints, often in his hips and knees.
– Whether it's my imagination that I'm better or it's a fact, it's hard to say, but the important thing is that one experiences improvement, he says.
Satisfied with his infrared sauna
There have been few trips in recent weeks, as Northern Norway has offered autumn weather and a lot of precipitation this spring.
– I feel really ready for some sun and to get out and enjoy nature.
Peter is still just as satisfied with his infrared sauna.
WEEK 10 – After 10 weeks with the IR SaunaPod, Peter can report only positive experiences: Faster recovery, better sleep, pain relief, and more flexible joints, in addition to more energy and a better mood.
– I'm still alive, he says jokingly, and continues. – I can't exactly say it's because of the sauna, but it certainly makes life more pleasant. I must say I am very satisfied. The sauna is definitely recommendable for my age group as well.
Fit and well, and sleeps very well
The active 81-year-old wanted to try infrared sauna for better recovery and mild psoriatic arthritis.
– I still have arthritis, but I feel very fit and well after sitting in the sauna for half an hour. I'm much better.
The sauna relieves pain and loosens stiff joints.
– My muscles become so well relaxed that I sleep very well, which means an enormous amount.
A good night's sleep also helps with energy and mood.
– Of course, he says.
Easy with a sauna at home, especially for the elderly
Peter uses the sauna three to four times a week. Often after spending two to three hours in the garden in the afternoon working. Sitting in the warmth when he is tired, stiff, and sore, before crawling into bed, becomes a little highlight; something he looks forward to.
– It's so practical to have a sauna at home. I have mine in the bedroom.
Although it's easy to pack up, he leaves it out, ready to use. The convenience of having it at home, and just being able to plug it in, wait ten minutes, and hop in, means a great, great deal.
– Especially for the elderly. It can be an effort to organize a trip to a gym or swimming pool to use a sauna.
More wellness with infrared sauna
Now he can use the sauna more often than before, which was something his daughter Therese wanted when she signed him up for the health journey.
– I know how much my dad loves taking a sauna. I wanted to give him more wellness in his daily life and I hoped he would experience the same as I do with my IR sauna, especially in relation to recovery after he has been out exercising.
– I have benefited greatly from the sauna, I must say, continues Peter, who recently returned home from a week's holiday in Rhodes.
He will continue to use the sauna.
– Absolutely. You don't need to come here and pick it up. I'm not opening the door, he laughs.
Text: Trine Dahlman
Read an update on Peter's health journey ONE YEAR AFTER!
