The Cold Plunge

After the hot spring or a sauna, step down the brass ladder into water at 18 °C. Breathe out slowly. Count to thirty. Climb out.

The cold closes the pores, wakes you up and makes the next round of heat feel twice as good. Bathers here have done it this way for a hundred years, and most of them are still around.

Then lie down in the relaxation room for ten minutes before going round again.