Infrared FTW
The infrared sauna = my happy place.
For 4 months, I used an infrared sauna 5-6 days a week. That might seem a bit excessive, but - for me - it released stored trauma.
I would wrap myself in a big terry cloth towel, throw my hair up in a messy bun, and pop my earbuds in. Then, I would enter an individual infrared sauna for 60 minutes. It was the best part of my day. It felt like stepping outside the matrix. Some sessions were wildly productive, with epiphanies.
Sometimes, I listened to music (I have a series of playlists).
Sometimes, I listened to a podcast;
Sometimes, I didn’t listen to anything and tried to be mindful, in the moment.
Sometimes, I journaled.
Sometimes, I sat and let the wave of thoughts and feelings wash over me, and did my best to categorize them.
That was the past.
That is beyond your control.
That is negative thinking.
That is a symptom of CPTSD.
That is a trauma response.
That is language from the wrong script you were taught.
That is a genius business idea.
That is your intuition.
That is something to manifest
That is something to put in a box of “I’ll unpack and process this later.”
Now, I infrared 1-2 times a week—as often as I can—because it’s medicinal. Each session is healing, cathartic, and meditative.
Even if I could put one in my basement, I value the time of disconnection - leaving the house - going into town. We’re meant to be together. Society will have you twisted up to believe that you need to have every amenity at your fingertips. Not me. I know that I have the privilege of being able to walk, drive, and have the time. Some days, the infrared is the best part of my day—and if that’s all I have, I’ll take it.