The cold and uncomfortable temperatures around us are nothing unusual for this time of year, but I still don't really want to get used to them. The thermometer is now usually just above the zero degree mark and even inside some rooms in our house it doesn't feel much warmer.

On days like these, I always have a very special craving, which unfortunately I can only rarely give in to. How I would love to be in an onsen, a Japanese hot spring bath, right now. Onsen are not really comparable to the thermal baths we know from some parts of Europe. The water is much warmer and it is also much more peaceful there and therefore more relaxing.

With a water temperature of almost 40 degrees, you don't even want to move much and prefer to just enjoy the very pleasant feeling that flows through your body. The first moment can be a little overwhelming, but you soon get used to the warmth and end up not wanting to get out of the water at all.

And exactly that could do me good right now. The heating hasn't really managed to warm up the room I am in yet and my fingers feel a bit chilly. Well, it won't make it to an onsen today, but at least I can look forward to a warm shower. That's definitely something, and I'll certainly feel nice and warm afterwards. The cold jet of water that I expose myself to at the very end will also help. A little secret that I am happy to share with you here and can only recommend. Give it a try...