In a world where you can microwave a burrito in 90 seconds, binge-watch an entire show in one sitting, and get same-day delivery for socks shaped like tacos, it’s no wonder we expect everything to happen instantly—including our well-being.
So when someone asks how long before you see the benefits of an infrared sauna, the real answer—”probably a few weeks or months”—can feel like a slap in the fast-loading face.
But here’s the truth, friend: your brain isn’t a drive-thru, your emotions aren’t a mobile order, and mental health definitely isn’t something you can order on Amazon.
Let’s talk about what it really means to heal, grow, and feel better in a world obsessed with “right now.”
The Drive-Thru Mentality: Why We Expect Speedy Sanity
Our lives have been speed-optimized to the point where waiting for anything feels like psychological torture. You wait three seconds for a page to load, and your inner toddler starts throwing a tantrum. That same attitude, unfortunately, gets dragged into deeper places—like grief, burnout, anxiety, and even trauma.
We want quick fixes:
- One yoga class = inner peace?
- One therapy session = closure?
- One supplement = zero anxiety?
If only. The brain doesn’t work like a vending machine. You can’t just insert one healthy habit and expect a full refund on your trauma.
Why Real Healing Is More Crockpot Than Instant Pot
Think of your brain like a delicious, overworked stew. Years of stress, late nights, existential dread, and Twitter arguments have all been simmering in there. You can’t just throw in some self-care and expect it to taste like balance.
Real healing takes time. Like, real time. Not just “let me light a lavender candle and feel transformed.” And that’s okay.
Some of the best forms of self-care, like journaling, therapy, infrared saunas, and cutting toxic people out of your life—take weeks or months to show results. They don’t work like an energy drink; they work like watering a plant you forgot you had.
Mental Health Isn’t Linear—It’s More Like Your Wi-Fi
Have you ever stared at your Wi-Fi icon blinking, unplugged the router, blown on it like an old Nintendo cartridge, and hoped for the best?
Yeah, that’s your brain.
Progress in mental health is wobbly. One week you feel like a goddess of calm. The next, you’re crying in the car because your toast burned. Healing isn’t a staircase—it’s a twisty slide made of slime and occasional glitter.
And the moment you expect a breakthrough to arrive with a push notification, you’re bound to be disappointed.
The Science Backs the Slow Burn
Even neuroscientists agree, your brain doesn’t switch gears overnight. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), long-term mental health improvement typically comes from consistency, not intensity. That means regular effort over time—not one weekend retreat or a single magical therapy session.
Therapeutic practices, whether it’s mindfulness, medication, or biohacks like infrared therapy, require weeks to months to reshape neural pathways. The science of neuroplasticity (fancy brain word alert!) tells us that long-term habits form through repetition, not sudden bursts of motivation.
So no, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just doing it slow, which is secretly doing it right.
Delayed Gratification: The Most Boring Yet Powerful Thing You Can Practice
Ah yes, the ancient art of not getting what you want immediately and somehow being okay with it. Delayed gratification is hard—like resisting the “next episode” button hard. But it’s also the cornerstone of long-term joy.
Mental health routines are like building a friendship with your inner self. At first, it’s awkward. Then, it becomes familiar. Eventually, it’s reliable.
Whether you’re journaling daily, sipping tea instead of coffee, using that sauna three times a week, or finally sticking to your 8 p.m. screen shut-off… the benefits will absolutely come.
Just maybe not today. And that’s part of the magic.
Slow Habits That Actually Work (If You Give Them Time)
Here’s the thing: most of the best self-care tools don’t feel exciting right away. They’re not dramatic. They’re not TikTok-friendly. But if you stay consistent, they’ll sneak up on you and change your life.
1. Morning Movement (Even If It’s Just Stretching Like a Cat):
Get your blood moving before your brain has a chance to whine about it. Do this for a month and watch your mood shift.
2. Infrared Sauna Sessions:
They might feel like fancy spa gadgets at first, but infrared saunas are one of those slow-burn habits that quietly reshape your well-being. Regular sessions can improve sleep, reduce stress, and even help with recovery—just don’t expect miracles after the first steam. Like anything worthwhile, it’s all about consistency.
3. Meditation (Even the Sloppy Kind):
Ten minutes a day where you just sit and try not to spiral? Monumental. Will it feel dumb at first? Oh yes. Will it rewire your stress response over time? Also yes.
4. Digital Detox Days:
No, your soul won’t vanish if you don’t check your email. Set one screen-free day a week. It feels like a mental reboot wrapped in silence and snacks.
5. Saying “No” Without Writing a 3-Page Essay:
Healthy boundaries don’t need explanation. Practice them until it becomes your default setting.
But What If I’m Not Feeling Better Yet?
Cue the internal scream: I’ve been doing all the right things and I still feel meh—what gives?
First off, you’re not alone. Second, healing isn’t just about removing discomfort—it’s about increasing your capacity to exist with it. That means feeling in control, even if the anxiety hasn’t totally packed its bags.
If you’re still feeling stuck, ask yourself:
- Am I expecting fireworks too soon?
- Am I comparing my timeline to someone else’s?
- Am I secretly hoping this one new habit will fix everything?
Spoiler: no single thing fixes everything. But the slow, gentle layering of consistent effort does.
Patience Isn’t Passive – It’s a Power Move
Waiting for something to work is a power play. It means you trust yourself enough to stick with something even when the dopamine isn’t immediate. It’s basically the mental health equivalent of slow-cooking a brisket.
Yes, your healing might be invisible right now. Yes, it’s frustrating. But that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
Microwaves are great—for popcorn and leftover pizza. But your brain? Your heart? Your trauma and your growth?
They need marination, not microwaves.
So the next time you catch yourself wondering why the good habits aren’t delivering instant fireworks, take a breath. Put on your coziest socks. Trust the process. Because healing isn’t fast—but it is absolutely, gloriously worth it.