To the baths! This is how the world bathes.

When autumn arrives and the weather slowly gets uncomfortable, the bathtub season starts for many. A warm, fragrant full bath after work or a long walk promises relaxation, rest and me-time. Whether with a good book, a warm tea or a glass of red wine - relaxation is guaranteed in the bathtub, because the warm water increases the body temperature and loosens the muscles. Combined with the right bath additive, a bath also has a balancing effect and lets your soul dangle.

One more reason why bathing is so popular around the world. But what are the special features between the individual countries? What preferences do people have and what traditions do we know about bathing? We would now like to bring this and much more to you.

This is how Germans bathe

Did you know that 8 out of 10 people in Germany have a bathtub?

Every fourth German bathes at least once a week, especially in the cold season. Bath additives with a pine scent, such as the traditional Herbacin mountain pine wellness bath, are still the most popular.

Germans also love to dive into the bathtub with a good book.

Bathe like God in France

Inspired by the waters of the Atlantic, the Thalasso therapy was invented in France. Whether in the SPA or at home, bathing in sea salt and algae not only has an invigorating effect, it also relaxes fasciae and muscles and ensures smooth, rosy skin at the same time. That is why French women with an affinity for beauty rely primarily on thalasso baths.

Scandinavian bathing trends

Scandinavians swear by long herbal baths when colds arise. The aromatic scent of the herbs invigorates the senses and clears the airways.  They also use the herbal bath to relax muscles and warm up the body.

Bathing in the Far East

Unlike in the rest of the world, bathing is considered a group activity in the Arab world. In the hammam, the bathing ceremony, consisting of cleaning, steam bath, massages and watering, is initiated as a kind of ritual. The sensual scents here ensure relaxation and make bathing a total experience. Since the hammam is mainly carried out in bathing establishments, socializing and lively exchange with one another are an integral part of bathing.

For the love of health - bathing in India

In India, Ayurvedic bathing primarily serves to maintain health and beauty. Before bathing, the body is massaged with detoxifying oils, such as sesame oil, in order to then cleanse itself in the bath water mixed with fresh medicinal herbs. After bathing, you feel reborn.

Bath culture in Japan

The Japanese live a very extensive bathing culture. A quick bath is unthinkable here, because bathing is celebrated in public bathing establishments, to purify body and mind. In the warm springs, the onsen, relaxation is guaranteed - tensions are released and your thoughts can wander. But before you can get into the onsen, extensive cleaning is mandatory!

The Japanese also celebrate their bathing experience at home. Bathing is often a family affair here. After a thorough washing, the head of the family first steps into the bathtub, followed by the rest of the family by rank, naturally without changing the bath water.

As you can see, bathing is very important around the world. Cleansing the body is never the top priority here. Rather it is important to seek the moment of relaxation and allow yourself a break from everyday life. A real luxury!

Unwind and Reset from Holiday Stress

Christmas is a great thing, don't you think?

But who does not get the feeling during this contemplative season that you usually need superhuman strength to cope with the extra organization,  without ultimately losing your balance?

Buying gifts, getting supplies, visiting relatives, entertaining friends and being a perfect guest and/or host - understandably we'll end up nerve-wrecked at some point.

Even if we provide the body with enough sleep and good, healthy food, the energy reserves will become increasingly exhausted. Perhaps our pick-me-up and energizer tips will get your tired engine going again:

Let there be light!

The human body needs a lot of fresh air and sunlight, especially in winter, with darkness and dry heated interiors. Especially in the dark season, it is important that we come outside every day and, quite literally, look at the sky.

A cloudy winter day is definitely much better than a brightly lit room, because the illuminance outdoors is many times higher. During your lunch break, just take a walk around the block. If this is not possible, try a daylight lamp and sit in front of it half an hour every day. The morning is ideal for this.

Take a cold shower

Cold temperatures are a great pick-me-up because they boost the circulation. Do you have problems getting fit in the morning? Then persuade yourself to take a cold shower. It sounds hard at first, but it really does work once you have overcome yourself. If the cold shower in the morning is too much of a good thing, we recommend turning it to BLUE at least in the end. Remain steadfast, the rest is a matter of getting used to.

Me time

Do you always focus on the needs of others? Then in hectic periods like during the Holiday rush, you will have even more problems finding the necessary breaks to replenish your energy. To keep your inner balance, you should reserve time for yourself and do something that relaxes you. Be it the walk round the block, the coffee gossip with friends, a good book or a hot bath. Find what is right for you, whatever it may be.

Organization is everything

With good organization you're halfway there, especially in the overly hectic pre-Holiday season. Take the time to organize, because a well thought out to-do list and the fact that you had to put things in your head to do so, can give you more drive. Placing a "done" check mark on your to-do list automatically brings inner satisfaction and raises your mood. Try it out!

Chewing makes you lively

Chewing gum not only freshens your breath, it also makes you livelier. Sounds strange at first, but just give it a try. At least our own attempts were successful. There are even studies that have shown that chewing increases the heartbeat so that more blood flows into the brain.

Chewing gums with an intensified mint flavor performed the best, because peppermint stimulates the nerve fibers. Similar in effect to the cold shower mentioned earlier.

Good iron, all good

In women, iron deficiency can often cause lack of energy. For an extra portion of power, it doesn't hurt to increase the iron supply. With an appropriate composition of the menu, you can easily do without taking iron supplements. In addition to animal foods such as meat (deer meat has more iron than beef and is also low in fat and calories) and chicken egg yolk, beans such as lentils, white beans, peas or soybeans are also valuable iron suppliers. Grains, pumpkin seeds or mushrooms, particularly chanterelles,  are also important sources of iron. Several spices are also real iron bombs. Cardamom comes first with 100 mg iron per 100 g, followed by dried parsley and dried spearmint. Also, spinach, fennel and broccoli are definitely worth a look at.

Last but not least: If you don't get excited and stressed so quickly, you will experience a relaxing holiday. And just think about it now - the holiday rush will return again next year.

Recap of the Fourth Herbacin Challenge in Costa Rica 2019

The fourth Herbacin Challenge led five motivated athletes together with extreme athlete Joey Kelly and his son Luke to Costa Rica to face some sporting challenges: Whether on the trailrun trough the dense jungle of the rainforest, or quad biking in steep, muddy paths or at Standup Paddling into the sunset - at the Herbacin Challenge, the five contestants experienced the adventure of a lifetime.

The team covered almost 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) through the breathtaking landscape of Costa Rica. From the capital San José to the volcano El Arenal, from the rainforest in Monteverde to the white sand beaches in Playa Carillo on the Pacific coast, the participants not only witnessed a wide scenic variety, but also a widely diverse weather. Sultry warm days, when the thermometer climbed well above the 30 degrees mark (86º F), were not uncommon, as well as the daily rain showers in the afternoon, which provided a very welcome and pleasant relief from the humid heat.

But not just the landscape was able to surprise the participants over and over again: Even the two daily sporting challenges were communicated to the tense athletes only at the beginning of each day. However one thing was clear from the first day: The daily adrenalin kick had taken off! 

For Carina Bungard (from Cologne, 31 y.o.), Katrin Schairer (Filderstadt, 34), Tobias Krautmacher (Frankenroda, 28) Matthias Roth (Calw, 34) and Christopher Stelzer (Reichersthofen, 24), no day resembled that of others. Especially the 1½ km (.93 Mile) long zipline will be remembered by all: a zipline in which they were able to soar over the rainforest on a wire rope at high speed in Superman-style, ending with the "Tarzan Swing" with its free fall from 40 meters, pushing the extra amount of epinephrine even farther. Of course, kayaking on the Pacific, where only a few meters away dolphins and whales swam, and climbing down several waterfalls belong to other highlights.

Even the musician and extreme athlete Joey Kelly was very enthusiastic about the unique landscape and the diverse disciplines of the Herbacin Challenge . "I have never run through such a dense jungle before. We had to go under Seam trees, jump over roots and always watch out for animals. The trail was at most one meter wide. The trees were towering everywhere. It is unforgettable!"

The unique concept of the Herbacin Challenge, which focuses on team spirit, impresses every year and is already a permanent fixture in several sport circles. We had requested applications already in the spring and received a large number of creative and impressive submissions. Understandably these five athletes were extremely elated when they found out that they were allowed to experience an adventure together with Herbacin and Joey Kelly. One they won't forget so quickly.

Text: Herbacin / Caroline Wetterau 

Photos: Herbacin / Thomas Stachelhaus

Herbacin Challenge 2019 in Costa Rica - Day 5 Recap (Last day)

The fifth participant, Katrin, summarized the 5th day just before leaving Costa Rica. We are all sad that our great time together has come to an end.

Herbacin Challenge 2019 in Costa Rica - Day 4 Recap

Christopher, one fo the 5 contestants of the Herbacin Challenge, gives you a summary of the 4th day.

Herbacin Challenge 2019 in Costa Rica - Day 3 Recap

Just like other participants of the Herbacin Challenge, Matthias had an unforgettable day. Here's his summary of the third day.

Herbacin Challenge 2019 in Costa Rica - Day 2 Recap