The tradition of saunas and cold baths runs deep in Nordic culture. At the very first Swedish bathhouse, founded in 1269, the women who worked there used birch twigs to whip clients’ skin to a tingling pink freshness. But by 1726, bathhouses had fallen into disrepute and were closed down, not re-opening until the 1820s. Respectability restored, the Nordic bathing ritual of today is more gentle and caring. The treatment relaxes tired muscles, detoxes and boosts circulation. The Stockholm archipelago’s proximity to the sea, the islands, and nature is the inspiration be¬hind the Nordic Spa & Fitness at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm – a spa far from the ordinary. At the Nordic Spa & Fitness center, the Nordic Bathing Ritual is offered as a luxurious a DIY-treatment which you can easily recreate at home.
Ingredients:
• A dry body brush
• Exfoliating scrub
• Nourishing mask
Directions:
• Brush start with your toes and working your way up with the dry body brush. This helps the body to detox and strength¬ens the immune system. Take a shower, washing body and hair.
• Take a cool dip or a cold shower, alternate with a sauna if you have access to one, or hot bath / steam shower. Repeat. This has a rejuvenating effect and is good for the joints, immune system and overall resilience.
• Apply a hair mask with jojoba and olive oil for shine and nourishment. Wrap your hair in a hair towel.
• Apply a face mask containing cloudberries to soothe and moisturize.
• Return to the sauna or hot bath / steam shower and allow the hair pack and face mask to work for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse both off in the shower.
• Scrub again. This time with a cranberry body scrub to fortify and moisturize the skin, leaving it with a healthy glow. Take a nice, warm shower and wash off the body scrub. Avoid soap and hot baths which strip the scrub’s revitalizing oils from the skin.
• Finish off with a few drops of face oil, which adds moisture and protective antioxidants. A face oil with jojoba, sea buckthorn, and melon seed extract is ideal.