What to Do Before and After an Infrared Sauna Session

In short: before an infrared sauna session, stay hydrated, avoid a heavy meal, and wear something light and comfortable. Afterwards, rehydrate, shower, and ease back into your day rather than jumping straight into anything strenuous. Simple prep either side makes a real difference to how the session actually feels.

A little prep goes a long way

An infrared sauna session doesn't need much preparation, but what you do in the hour or two either side genuinely changes how it feels. None of this is complicated, it's mostly common sense, but it's worth having it laid out properly rather than figuring it out on the day.

Before your session

Drink water throughout the day rather than trying to hydrate all at once right before you arrive. Going in already a little dehydrated tends to make the heat feel more intense than it needs to.

Avoid a heavy meal in the hour or so beforehand. A full stomach and a warm room aren't a great combination, and most people find it more comfortable to go in feeling light rather than full.

Wear whatever you're comfortable sweating in, swimwear or activewear both work well, and towels are provided either way. If you wear contact lenses, some guests prefer to remove them beforehand, it's entirely personal preference.

Try to arrive a few minutes early rather than rushing straight from somewhere else. Walking in already a bit flustered makes it harder to settle into the heat properly.

During your session, briefly

You're always in control once you're in, adjust your position, step out, or end the session early if you need to. For a full breakdown of what the session itself actually feels like, our guide on what to expect during your first infrared sauna session covers that in detail.

After your session

Rehydrate properly once you're done. You'll have sweated a fair amount, and replacing that fluid is the most important thing you can do afterwards.

Shower to rinse off, all of our sessions include access to shower facilities, and take a few minutes in the relaxation lounge with a herbal tea rather than rushing straight back out the door.

Ease back into activity rather than heading straight into anything intense. Your body has just spent 45 minutes or more adjusting to heat, and it's worth giving it a bit of time to settle before a workout or anything physically demanding.

If you're hungry afterwards, eating something light is completely fine, there's no need to wait a set amount of time.

Making it part of a routine

If infrared sauna becomes a regular thing for you, the before-and-after routine tends to become second nature pretty quickly. If you're wondering how often to go or how long each session should run, our guides on infrared sauna frequency and infrared sauna session length cover both in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Should I eat before an infrared sauna session?

A light meal is fine, but avoid anything heavy in the hour beforehand. Many guests prefer to go in on a lighter stomach.

Can I exercise after an infrared sauna session?

It's generally best to ease back into activity rather than going straight into something intense. Give your body a bit of time to settle first.

How soon can I shower after an infrared sauna?

Straight away. All sessions include access to shower facilities immediately afterwards.

Do I need to bring my own towel?

No, towels are provided as part of your session.

Is it normal to feel tired after an infrared sauna session?

Many guests feel relaxed and a little sleepy afterwards, which is a common response to the heat. Taking a few quiet minutes afterwards rather than rushing off tends to help.

Ready to book your next session? Visit us at our Yarraville studio, 6/157 Hyde Street (entry via Hall Street).