Sun Stream NYC / Miami
A Complete Guide by Justin Glaser, Author of Sweat

Everything You
Want to Know
About Sauna

Health benefits, how to use it properly, and the vital checklist to protect your health and your investment

Justin Glaser  ·  Author · Researcher · Director, Sun Stream NYC/Miami
Welcome

There is no single greater daily practice for maximizing your health than regular sauna use. That's not a claim I make lightly — it's the conclusion I reached after years of research, writing a book on the topic, and consulting with the leading experts in detoxification medicine.

This guide distills everything you need to know: the science, the protocol, what to look for, and what to avoid.

Contents
01
Chapter One

Why Sauna?

Saunas have been a cornerstone of wellness for centuries. The reason is simple: few practices address as many root causes of chronic illness in a single daily habit.

The Toxin Problem

Thousands of new synthetic compounds have entered our environment since the mid-20th century. These didn't exist for the vast majority of human history — and our bodies have no evolved mechanism for eliminating most of them efficiently.

"Many diseases once rare are now epidemic in people of all ages for reasons doctors can't explain — unless we consider toxins."

— Dr. Joe Pizzorno, Naturopathic Physician & Toxicology Researcher

Modern toxins fall into six categories. Recognizing them is the first step toward understanding why detoxification matters so much.

01
Industrial
Heavy metals, pollution, and radiation from industrial processes
02
Agricultural
Pesticides, herbicides, synthetic hormones in food production
03
Household
Building materials, rugs, paints, and cleaning products
04
Personal Care
Fragrances, cosmetics, and daily health and beauty products
05
Food
GMOs, artificial dyes, flavors, and sweeteners
06
Consumer Goods
Flame retardants in clothing and toys, sealants in cookware

These aren't abstract concerns. The scientific literature increasingly links chronic toxin accumulation to virtually every major modern health condition:

Conditions linked to chronic toxin accumulation
Depression Anxiety Obesity Diabetes Cancer Alzheimer's Autism spectrum Chronic fatigue Bipolar disorder Autoimmune conditions

How Sauna Helps

The skin is the body's largest detoxification organ. Sweat induced by sauna heat has been shown to contain heavy metals and fat-soluble toxins that cannot be eliminated through urine or stool alone — meaning regular sweating gives you a pathway of elimination that nothing else provides.

Beyond detoxification, consistent sauna use delivers three additional, well-documented benefits:

Improved Circulation
Sauna heat causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow throughout the body. Improved circulation aids muscle recovery, alleviates pain, and supports cardiovascular and cognitive health.
Stress Relief & Mental Clarity
The quiet heat of a sauna session soothes the nervous system, reduces cortisol, and creates space for genuine mental decompression. Many regular users report improvements in mood and cognitive clarity within weeks.
Longevity
Research suggests regular sauna use may contribute to extended healthspan. The combination of reduced toxic burden, improved circulation, and daily stress relief creates compounding benefits over time.

When people build a consistent sauna practice, the results are reliably similar:

Energy increases noticeably within the first few weeks
Mood stabilizes and improves
Stress response becomes more measured
Mental clarity sharpens
Disease risk markers trend downward over time
Woman relaxing in the Sun Stream Mini infrared sauna
The practice that changes everything — accessible, finally, from home.
02
Chapter Two

Types of Saunas

Not all saunas are equal. The type you choose has a significant impact on your comfort, your results, and — critically — your safety.

Steam sauna
Steam
Traditional / Wet Heat
Uses heat — whether from electric generators, rocks, or other sources — to produce steam and humidity. The hot, moist environment can feel heavy and is uncomfortable for many people. You're breathing water vapor continuously, often from tap water with added chemicals. More susceptible to mold growth than dry alternatives. Least effective for deep detoxification.
Dry sauna
Dry
Electric / Wood
Heats the room without added humidity. The dry heat is more tolerable and promotes effective sweating. A solid choice for detoxification — expect profuse sweating within 5–20 minutes. No mold risk.
4.4×
Infrared vs. conventional dry sauna toxin output In a study by American researchers, sweat from conventional saunas was 95–97% water. Sweat from infrared saunas was only 80–85% water — with the remainder being cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, heavy metals including mercury and aluminum, sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia, and uric acid. This concentration of toxins is not found in ordinary exercise sweat.
Sun Stream Mini sauna in a New York City apartment

The Sun Stream Mini — designed for New York living. No renovation. No special wiring.

03
Chapter Three

How to Sauna Properly

A sauna session is not a race. It's a practice of gradual acclimatization. Done correctly, it compounds over time into one of the most powerful wellness habits you can build.

1
Start at 25 minutes

Begin with sessions of around 25 minutes in an infrared or dry sauna. As your body adapts to the heat over 10–15 sessions, you can gradually extend to 45–60 minutes. The goal is to achieve profuse sweating for at least 20 continuous minutes.

2
What to wear (and what not to)

Bring cotton towels. Skip clothing when possible — most fabrics off-gas synthetic compounds when heated. If you prefer coverage, 100% cotton is the only safe option. Never bring plastic water bottles in with you; the heat causes plastics to leach chemicals into the air you're breathing.

3
Wipe down regularly

Once you begin sweating profusely, wipe your skin down with your towel. This removes the sweat — and the toxins it carries — from the surface of your skin, preventing reabsorption and encouraging continued perspiration.

4
Listen to your body

If you feel lightheaded, excessively hot, or uncomfortable, step out immediately. Take a break, hydrate, and re-enter when you're ready. This is not a discipline challenge — it's a health practice. Pushing through discomfort is counterproductive.

5
Rehydrate with intention

After your session, rehydration is essential. You lose significant electrolytes through sweat — not just water. Reach for quality spring water (look for glass-bottled options like Mountain Valley) or an electrolyte supplement. LMNT is a strong choice. Avoid plastic-bottled waters, which are typically filtered of natural minerals.

6
Use the time with intention

Your sauna is a sanctuary from stimulation. Use the time to meditate, listen to an audiobook, or simply breathe and decompress. Many regular users find sauna their most productive thinking time. This is one of the highest-ROI uses of 30 minutes in your day.

04
Chapter Four

Finding a Sauna Near You

If you're new to sauna, experiencing it at a public facility first is a great way to build confidence before committing to a home unit.

How to Find Quality Access

Open Google Maps, search your city, and type "infrared sauna." Filter for establishments with strong reviews and call before you go. Key questions: What type of sauna do they offer? (Infrared or dry are preferable.) Is there shower access? What are their session packages?

Many gyms also have dry saunas included in membership — worth checking if you're already a member. The best sauna is the one you'll use consistently, so proximity matters. A mediocre sauna you can walk to beats a great one you'll skip.

Note: public saunas that run 10–12 hours per day tend to have off-gassed most of their construction materials over time — similar to the way a new car loses its chemical smell after months of use. This is one area where public saunas have a mild advantage over brand-new home units made from lower-quality materials.

05
Chapter Five

Supplements for Sauna Use

Sauna depletes your body of key minerals through sweat. Thoughtful supplementation helps you recover faster and protects against deficiency over time.

Electrolytes
Sweating heavily depletes sodium, potassium, and chloride — all critical for nerve and muscle function, fluid balance, and energy. Replace with a quality electrolyte supplement or quality spring water after every session. LMNT is a reliable option.
Potassium
Often overlooked compared to magnesium, potassium is lost significantly through sweat. Bananas are a food source, but a quality supplement ensures consistent replenishment — especially if you're saunaing daily.
Magnesium
Supports muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and blood pressure. Magnesium is lost through sweat and many people are already deficient. Look for a clean-label formula — avoid products containing magnesium stearate or stearic acid.

A note on supplement quality: the industry is largely unregulated. If a formula contains magnesium stearate or stearic acid, it's worth finding an alternative. These are cost-cutting additives that compromise absorption and shouldn't be in a serious supplement.

06
Chapter Six

What to Avoid

The sauna industry is almost entirely unregulated. This surprised me when I researched my book — and it should surprise you too. Here's what to watch for.

Toxic Building Materials
When you're in a sauna, you're in a heated enclosure breathing the air inside it continuously. If the wood, adhesives, or treated materials contain toxic compounds — bamboo, flame retardants, chemical sealants — the heat drives them into the air. This is the opposite of detoxification. Always verify that a sauna is built from untreated, natural wood with third-party material certifications. Never assume.
Hidden EMF Emissions
Electromagnetic fields are an invisible concern in infrared saunas. Some brands publish misleading or unverified EMF data. At close range, over long sessions, high EMF exposure is a legitimate concern. Look specifically for independent, third-party testing — not self-reported measurements from the manufacturer. This is a non-negotiable standard for any sauna worth recommending.
Misleading Marketing Claims
Because the industry is unregulated, companies can make virtually any health claim without supporting evidence. The same applies to safety certifications — many are self-issued or from non-credible bodies. Due diligence matters here. The research I did for Sweat led me to one conclusion: most brands are cutting corners on one or more of these dimensions. Very few aren't.
07
Chapter Seven

Stacking Your Practice

Sauna works exceptionally well in combination with other wellness practices. Pairing it intelligently amplifies the benefits of both.

Practice Pairing
Yoga + Sauna
Gentle yoga before a session prepares the body and calms the mind. Yoga after allows a slow transition back to daily life while maintaining the relaxation state the sauna creates. The heat also naturally deepens flexibility if you stretch inside.
Practice Pairing
Meditation + Sauna
The sauna is an ideal meditation environment: heat, quiet, and nothing to do. The challenging physical environment actually sharpens mindfulness. This is habit stacking at its cleanest — two powerful practices for the cost of one time block.
Practice Pairing
Cold Therapy + Sauna
Contrast therapy — alternating heat and cold — has significant research support for improving circulation, immune function, and post-exercise recovery. Try: sauna → cold shower, two or three rounds. Start conservatively if you're new to cold exposure.
Practice Pairing
Exercise + Sauna
Exercise mobilizes toxins by stimulating circulation and perspiration. Following physical activity with a sauna session compounds the detoxification effect. It also significantly reduces post-workout muscle soreness — one of the most immediate and consistent benefits reported by regular users.
Sun Stream Mini sauna in NYC apartment — daytime Sun Stream Mini sauna in NYC apartment — evening
The Author
Justin
Glaser
Author, Sweat
Director, Sun Stream
NYC / Miami

I spent years researching the sauna industry — first as the author of Sweat, and then as someone trying to solve a very personal problem: how to maintain a consistent health practice while living in a New York City apartment.

After a year of searching, I found a Canadian brand founded in 1999 that had built something I hadn't seen anywhere else: a sauna genuinely designed for apartment living. Flat-packed, no tools required to assemble, standard outlet, designed to fit through a doorway.

I went deep on the brand — consulting with every sauna expert I'd met through my book research. The verdict was consistent: one of the only companies not cutting corners on toxic materials, hidden EMF, or safety standards.

I got the sauna for my apartment. It became the best health investment I ever made. Within weeks I had a routine I'd never been able to maintain at a public facility — before work, after the gym, anytime I felt a cold coming on.

That's what led me to fly to Victoria, Canada, meet the founder Kevin in person, and set up Sun Stream NYC and Miami as white-glove distributorships. We handle everything: delivery, assembly, setup. You do nothing except decide where you want it and step in.

If you're in New York or Miami and want to talk through whether this makes sense for your space, I'm happy to get on a call. No sales pressure — just a straight conversation from someone who has spent years on this subject.

Schedule a Conversation