With winter approaching, it may be time to reevaluate your current self-care regimen. Cooler temperatures mean less time outside and less daylight. I personally dread the stagnation my body feels in December and January. Instead of going to group classes or the gym, I started looking for at-home options (opens in new tab) to keep my limbs moving and my mind clear: infrared equipment from HigherDOSE, specifically their sauna blankets and infrared mats.

The brand's sauna blankets (opens in new tab) have a cult following. Its adjustable heat technology has been shown to increase the body's thermal energy and promote a temporary increase in blood flow.

As a Y7 (open in new tab) devotee, I am currently a lazy shell of my sweaty, physically active days. But sure enough, after a 45-minute session wrapped in a sturdy leather wrap, I was drenched in sweat and filled with the same euphoria I used to feel after Bikram. Now, at least twice a week, you can find me wrapped up in a sweaty little burrito.

But the blanket's newly released sister product really caught my eye during my research: it resembles a UFO carpet, but its science is rooted in Ayurveda. Healing negative ions and high-tech PMEF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy), which has been used to treat medical problems such as wound healing and depression, are combined with ancient materials such as amethyst and tourmaline to promote immunity, mood improvement, energy boost, and quick muscle recovery. Before I laid myself down on the seemingly miraculous mat, I consulted with Juhi Singh (opens in new tab), an Oriental medicine expert, acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, and founder of the Juhi Ash Center in New York City.

According to Singh, absorbing negative ions sounds counterintuitive, but it actually balances the body. From the moment our feet hit the floor in the morning, positive ions are on the onslaught to stress our day. Phones, computers, TVs, pollution, and poor nutrients line the barricades," she says. 'When we are exposed to negative ions, we go ahhhhh. When negative ions reach the bloodstream, a biochemical reaction occurs that increases serotonin levels."

As for crystals in the mat, both amethyst and tourmaline are commonly used in Ayurvedic therapeutic practices such as Singh's own center, thanks to their wide range of benefits.

"Amethyst has been used as a stone of health for thousands of years. Amethyst is considered a crystal of spirituality. It is known to activate the crown chakra and the third eye, both of which relate to our dream state." In addition, according to Singh, it also strengthens the immune system, relieves and soothes pain, and enhances skin radiance.

Tourmaline, on the other hand, is also a detoxifying stone. Not only does it "uplift the mind and emotions, it also relieves physical ailments. It is one of the few minerals with the ability to emit negative ions and far infrared radiation (FIR), which stabilizes the nerves, improves blood circulation, purifies the liver and kidneys, and helps treat skin disorders."

This sounded like a tall order, so I took my time testing the mat. It comes with an adjustable controller that allows you to control the heat settings and ionization on and off. The instructions recommended lying down and resting on the mat throughout the day. I had set the heat low enough that I did not sweat, but enough to enhance the effects of the crystals. After a few days of use I began to feel baseline calm. As a poor sleeper (open in new tab) I tossed and turned for hours until I fell asleep, waking frequently, but I actually slept soundly without ever waking up.

Of course, these two products are expensive. But without the cost of a gym membership or pre-pandemic group classes, this investment is really worth it. After only a few weeks of use, my whole body benefited: the sauna blanket rejuvenated my physique, and the mat added a much-needed calm to my routine.