Regular hardening and bathing in cold water indeed contribute to strengthening the immune system, reducing the risk of colds, and training blood vessels.
However, as experts noted, immersion in icy water once a year creates a strong stress for the body.
Before making a decision about bathing, it is important to soberly assess your health and physical condition. Consulting a doctor in this case will be extremely beneficial.
Bathing in cold water is not recommended for people with acute and chronic illnesses. Such procedures should also be avoided for children, as their thermoregulation is not yet fully developed.
Since this creates an additional load on the body, it is advisable not to immerse yourself in icy water two weeks before and after vaccination.
Moreover, bathing in icy water is strictly contraindicated while under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, leading to a quicker loss of heat.
If you still decide to bathe in the hole, pay attention to the following recommendations:
- choose places where safety rules are followed: the presence of lifeguards, equipped handrails, and barriers;
- before immersion, do some warm-up exercises—do squats, bends, and other simple movements;
- approach the hole in comfortable shoes that can be quickly removed;
- do not dive headfirst; enter the water using the stairs. Submerge up to your neck three times and exit immediately to avoid hypothermia;
- after bathing, thoroughly dry yourself with a terry towel, quickly put on warm clothes, and drink hot tea.
“Follow these recommendations to maintain your health. For bathing in cold water to be beneficial, it is better to start hardening in early autumn, gradually lowering the water temperature during dousing,” the specialists emphasized.
