Beachcombing is one thing, but picking up beach trash, walking on uneven sand, leaning down to pick up over 800 pieces of trash daily, carrying trash, pulling wagons, an older body can only take so much, I hurt! Many days I wish for a nice long hot soak. That 3 minute shower does not always work to soothe aches and pains. That along with vision of plastic during REM time, has led me to think I need some eco-friendly and healthy alternatives to keep this body sustainable. 
Jacuzzi’s are out… too much water (Waste No Water!) too much maintenance and I hate chemicals… After some investigation.. what a about a sauna? In particular a Far Infrared Sauna? The advantages are numerous, Heat (I do not have a heater in my house) No water usage, Low energy ergo low carbon footprint, Natural Healing, help for my sun damaged super dry and itchy skin, detoxification, better sleep, aromatherapy options… Might be a great option for someone like me who has more aches and pains than my friends of the same age, gets less than 4 hours of sleep per night and is really trying to lead an ‘organic life’. I even read that Far Infrared could help you lose weight and that is the icing on the cake!!!
So is there a sustainable option? Guess what.. Sauna Cloud a California based sauna company uses FSC certified wood or wood sourced from sustainable forests and that makes me feel that this is a socially responsible company. One question answered so I reached out to them to ask about energy usage and carbon footprints and here is what they said:
‘Modern far infrared saunas are loaded with technology dedicated to being environmentally friendly, not only in energy consumption but in longevity and maintenance, as well. The longer a product lasts, the less you’ll need to repair or replace it – and the fewer parts need to be replaced, the fewer the carbon emissions.
You can easily lower the electrical consumption of your sauna if you use it carefully. Choosing heaters that heat quickly and cool down fast will reduce energy usage. Investing in a sauna with a pre-programmed shut off time will ensure unnecessary electricity does not go to waste. Be sure to purchase a sauna with heaters that have a long life-span; up to 18,000 hours of use. Carbon fiber heaters are one such option, as they’re resistant to damage. Alternatively, you can select a ceramic heater, which lasts an average of 9,000 hour. These heaters warm quickly thus you won’t have to pre-heat your sauna before use. Another excellent choice would be combination heaters. When both carbon and ceramic are combined the EMF radiation output is greatly decreased. This is beneficial for your body and the environment.
The materials used to construct your far infrared sauna will affect how eco-friendly the unit is. If you select a sauna built from plastics or other man-made materials, it’s likely the energy used to create the unit is very high. If possible, select a sauna that is made entirely of wood from a sustainable forest. If glues are used be sure to choose organic products. The best wood options for high-quality infrared saunas are red cedar, basswood, hemlock or spruce as they will last a long time.
All good news and now I just have to find a place to put one.. as I really want one bad now. The long term health benefits far outweigh the initial cost outlay.. and to be able to sleep all night priceless.