Laying down is my new favorite workout.

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Lately, I’ve hit a wall with my fitness routine. I’ve been busy, so I’ve been doing the same old thing just to get by, and it’s gotten stale. I usually love working out, it’s my go-to destresser and always puts me in a better mood, but recently it just hasn’t been working. But because I need that outlet for stress in my life, I find myself pushing through anyway, even though I don’t feel fulfilled.

I’ve tried incorporating a few different things into my routine — long walks, Pilates, resistance bands, but nothing has really helped me get those endorphins. I needed a full refresh.

Enter: the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket.

What Are Sauna Blanket Benefits?

Designed to promote rest and relaxation along with muscle recovery and calorie burning by turning up the temperature, this sauna mat uses far infrared rays which heat the body from within — helping to deliver a deep detoxifying sweat and allowing your body to push out environmental toxins, increasing your heart rate to the pace of a light jog and leaving you with healthy soft glowing skin.

And oh boy, did it turn up the heat on my routine.

HigherDOSE recommends starting your sauna experience at level five. I laid the infrared sauna blanket out on my yoga mat and pre-heated it for ten minutes as instructed — which felt a bit like I was prepping dinner (BUT I was about to be wrapped up like a burrito, so that was a pretty accurate analogy). I decided to use the accompanying towel insert rather than go in fully clothed (your skin should be covered when in the blanket), so I hopped into the swaddle-like blanket, laid down and zipped myself up.

The first time I tried was on a rest day when I spent most of the day inside with the AC on, so I welcomed the warm rays quite happily — at first. Ten minutes went by in a breeze. I had turned on a podcast, closed my eyes, and embraced level five. I felt like things were going well, so I untucked my arm and turned the dial to level six — no sweat. Or so I thought. About five more minutes went by, and suddenly I was getting hot. My pulse was quickening, and my breathing felt a bit more shallow. I started to become hyper-aware of every bead of sweat dripping down my body.

It became a mental workout at that point. I checked my timer — I had set it to 35 minutes, and by the halfway mark, I was questioning whether I should get out. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was uncomfortable — I’m not used to sweating with that intensity. I made myself stay in —and instead of focusing on my sweat, I focused on steadying my breathing. I felt like I was taking a brisk jog despite lying horizontally on the floor. When the timer finally went off, I basically threw the blanket off of me and stood up in my towel, which was wet with sweat — pretty gross, but also kind of satisfying. I felt out of breath and a bit spent as if I had just finished a workout. I almost immediately got into a cold shower as suggested, then went about the rest of my day with an oddly energized feeling.

As I’ve continued to use the blanket, that’s the thing I’ve grown to love most about heat therapy. Once I’m done with the tough part of sweating, I get that blissful and euphoric feeling — similar to that of a runner’s high. I’m filled with endorphins and renewed energy. It de-stresses me in the same way as my workouts but also forces me to relax in a way I typically don’t take the time to do. My workouts are usually all movement, no thinking — just exporting all of my energy. Though that’s great for part of my routine, I’ve realized I do need some balance with more calming, intentional practices.

Now, the low EMF sauna blanket has become my go-to for rest days in my week. I love that it feels like I’m doing something active, but it's also a moment of stillness and peace. It’s reinvigorated my wellness routine and made me more thoughtful about how I can let my stress out. I don’t have to plow through it, I can let it go with ease. Even though I feel sweaty and gross afterward, I always come out of the blanket feeling like a huge weight has been lifted. The heat therapy benefits are clear.

Who knew laying down could be so effective?