Infrared heat blankets

WHAT IT IS

Like an infrared sauna but in blanket form. Because the room remains at, well, room temperature while your body gradually warms, you are more likely to tolerate the heat for a longer period of time because your breathing is unimpeded, says Julianne Smola, co-owner of Dew Sweat House in Toronto.

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE

Fully anticipating a claustrophobia-inducing burrito wrap, I’m relieved to find that the 55-minute session ($50) is a non-constricting experience. (Think loose sleeping bag.) The blanket is lined with plastic wrap (for hygiene reasons), but it isn’t a bother as I was asked to wear cotton (long sleeves, pants and socks). They leave me to gently bake at a temperature of 68˚C, which is manageable. I feel comfortably warm until the last 10 minutes, when it gets pretty darn hot. My exposed head is propped up on pillows, though, and I can easily stick my arms out to drink water while I watch Netflix.

RESULTS

I didn’t sweat as much as I thought I would. The first session, says Smola, is an experiment to see what type of sweat-er you are. (Factors like diet and water consumption influence how sweaty you get.) I did, however, feel an immediate sense of relaxation. Whether the calming effect was due to the heat or simply from the forced inactivity, I enjoyed a rare, amazing sleep that night.