January's so drab. It's freezing and we're all still broke from Christmas. I literally have been losing feeling in my fingers lately and can not get warm for the life of me. It's times like these that I take a page from the Russian girls, seeing as they're the experts on surviving through long, cold winters.
I once had a Slavic friend who liked to go to the bath house around this time of year. There she would warm herself in the sauna for as long as she could, then quickly jump into an ice cold pool. The Russians are not ones for subtlety, and let me tell you- this one's a real eye opener. I squealed like a little girl the first time I took the plunge. But afterwards, I noticed I could stay warmer for much longer. In addition to increasing your circulation, it is somewhat of a detoxifier - which some say rids you of contagions, keeping you from getting sick. Smart.
For me (ever the American princess) the bath house is a little too public. No offense, I'm just not about to pay to watch a bunch of half naked Russian men whip one another with tree branches while I'm trying to relax in the sauna. Or watch two guys make-out. Or have to listen to somebody else's drama..blah blah blah.
So for obvious reasons, I've turned the process into a more private, at-home spa experience. Here it is- I sit in a hot bath (read, listen to music, whatever) until I start to sweat, then I stand up and turn on the shower as cold as it goes. A couple seconds of cold and your body gets the message - your metabolism will rise to the occasion - on no uncertain terms.
Try it out! It's quick, it's free- it's exhilarating actually.
(not to mention really good for you)
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