I like to create a small-scale replication in the shower of what I get out of going to a bath, banya, thermen, sauna, spa, onsen, or hot springs (side note: I really wish we had a single generic word for this class of thing in English other than “bathhouse”, which unfortunately has taken on non-generic connotations):
Start by taking a hot shower
Hopefully get a little too hot
Flip the water cold enough that I trigger cold shock response
Stand in the cold for a while (I’m not convinced longer is better, but I usually aim for 30s)
Flip back to hot
This seems to cause a rapid drop in blood pressure and a few other effects that add up to what feels like a nervous system reset. Do it 2 or 3 times and then I get to enjoy a smaller version of the afterglow that I get after a trip to the baths.
I like to create a small-scale replication in the shower of what I get out of going to a bath, banya, thermen, sauna, spa, onsen, or hot springs (side note: I really wish we had a single generic word for this class of thing in English other than “bathhouse”, which unfortunately has taken on non-generic connotations):
Start by taking a hot shower
Hopefully get a little too hot
Flip the water cold enough that I trigger cold shock response
Stand in the cold for a while (I’m not convinced longer is better, but I usually aim for 30s)
Flip back to hot
This seems to cause a rapid drop in blood pressure and a few other effects that add up to what feels like a nervous system reset. Do it 2 or 3 times and then I get to enjoy a smaller version of the afterglow that I get after a trip to the baths.