A visit to a sauna or steam room on a chilly day is my idea of bliss. Don't sneer if you have never tried it!

Saunas and steam rooms are both very hot - the difference being that saunas are dry, and steam rooms, as you would expect, damp.

Both can provide a lovely environment for relaxation. Even a brief visit can relax stiff joints and muscles, and possibly reduce stress.

The high temperatures cause your metabolism and pulse rate to increase. Your blood vessels become more flexible and your extremities benefit from increased circulation.

Some claim that a sauna relieves the symptoms of minor illnesses, such as colds. Visits to a steam room may improve your skin because the steam opens the pores on the face and cleanses them. Both promote a sense of well-being.

Turkish Baths usually begin with a cold plunge pool, followed by a shower, then a series of rooms that get progressively warmer. The final stage is a relaxation room. There are not many of these in the United Kingdom, but in my view the experience is so pleasant that they are worth finding.

If you live in the United Kingdom, begin by checking with your local council. Some (but not all) councils provide leisure centres or swimming complexes that include saunas and/or steam rooms.

Alternatively, many private health clubs have saunas and/or steam rooms (this will apply in other countries as well as the UK). If you were not a member, you would probably need to visit as a guest of someone who does belong to the club.

In addition, some large hotels have spa or health club facilities that are open to day visitors. (Again, this applies in America and Europe - don't know about the rest of the world).

If you have health concerns, a heart ailment or respiratory disease, suffer from a chronic illness or are pregnant, you should consult your doctor before using a sauna or steam room.

Don't drink alcohol immediately prior to your visit, as it works as a depressant, slowing down the blood and shutting down nerve endings, which counteracts the benefits of the sauna or steam room.

Don't eat a heavy meal just before your visit.

Take a comfortable swimsuit or bikini to wear. You might also like to take a wrap to wear in the lounge area. (We usually just use a large towel). We advise taking plenty of towels, including one to sit on in the sauna, as the wooden benches may be too warm for comfort.

We recommend that you keep a pair of clean flip-flops on your feet, as the floor may be wet, and the rubber soles will help you to avoid slipping.

Some establishments offer sessions for women or men only. You may want to phone ahead and check the times, especially if you are planning to attend with a mixed party - best to avoid disappointment.

These were very popular with the Victorians, but there are not many left. Some of those that are open have been restored to look as they did in their early days, and are probably worth a visit for their visual appeal alone.

The Turkish Bath at Harrogate is possibly one of the best - a shower, followed by steam room, cold plunge pool and then three rooms of dry heat, each successively hotter, followed by relaxation in the ‘frigidarium'.