In the world there are many extreme types of pastime, tickling nerves and increasing the level of adrenaline in the blood. One of them is winter swimming. The benefits and harms of this activity are on two bowls of the same scale. What outweighs depends on various reasons and individually for each of us. Let's try to figure it out.
A bit of history
Winter swimming in Russia was practiced in pagan times. Our ancestors in winter and summer loved to steam the bones in the soap, as the bathhouses were called then, and after that they would swim in the river or pond. That is why they tried to build baths near water bodies. Some historians write that the Tatar-Mongols, who came to conquer Russia and saw how the Russians were splashing in the hole, called them crazy.
Peter I, who in every possible way instilled European customs, did not refuse to bathe in ice water, as the pagans did. While in Paris, he built a bathhouse on the banks of the Seine and shocked Parisians who had seen the views by bathing naked Russian men in ice-cold water.
Winter swimming was even more common among Finns. The reason for this was their famous saunas and the cold climate of Finland.
Walruses and Polar Bears
Winter swimming is popular in many countries. We are engaged in walruses, polar bears on the American continent, otters and seals in Finland. Extremely popular winter swimming, winter swimming in winter swimming in China. It is called aquace, which means "water" and "ice." In China, the aqua service is included in the list of national sports. And the Chinese Yan Xiangbin even got into the Guinness Book, having spent as much as 67 minutes in ice water!
According to the aqua competition there are. Finland has approved international rules in this sport. Men and women are participating. Heats take place over short distances, including tracks of 25, 50 and 450 meters. There is a marathon distance of 1 km, but few can participate in this type of competition.
Amateur winter swimming
In recent years, many Russian traditions have returned. One of them is dipping into the hole at Baptism. Some believe that by doing so they cleanse the body and soul from filth. Perhaps from a psychological point of view it is. But from the side of medicine, the benefits of a one-time diving into ice water are very doubtful. As doctors note, after Epiphany bathing, the number of visits to clinics with complaints of pain in the kidneys, perineum, and lumbar spine increases sharply. In men, this leads to pyelonephritis and prostatitis. In women, inflammation of the ovaries and cystitis.
In order to benefit winter swimming rather than harm, they need to be dealt with only systematically, and not from case to case. In many cities of Russia there are walrus clubs where they teach how to perform winter swimming correctly so that there are no problems.
Wintering
Opponents of swimming in the ice hole call many factors by which this occupation is classified as harmful and dangerous.
First and foremost, this is a huge stress for the nervous system and the whole body. And stress, as you know, leads to heart attacks, strokes and other troubles.
The second factor is that “walruses” develop a dependence on winter swimming, like a drug. In the summer, they may even have a condition similar to withdrawal from drug addicts. This opinion is based on the fact that walruses produce endorphin, which is an opium substance.
Some people think that hardening by winter swimming is only an appearance. In fact, the body only at the beginning becomes stronger, the diseases do not disappear, but only freeze for a while. Then there is a depletion of energy reserves, a person weakens, his immunity decreases. As a result, this leads to exacerbations and worsening of the general condition.
The benefits of winter swimming
Fans of winter swimming are sure that it is an excellent way to temper the body, rid it of all kinds of colds. It is proved that "walruses" are sick less than mere mortals 5 times. It is also proven that dipping into the hole helps to get rid of many chronic diseases, strengthens the immune system, helps to regulate weight. The thin ones gain it, the full ones lose it. Without exception, all note that winter swimming strengthens the strength of mind, makes one believe in oneself, mobilizes internal reserves to perform difficult tasks and achieve goals, improves sleep, strengthens nerves, and gives a lot of positive emotions. Its benefits are also invaluable for older people, because swimming in winter has an incredible rejuvenation effect.
Walruses with gray hair at the temples
In the cells of our central nervous system, catecholamines and acetylcholine are produced. The former are responsible for the endocrine balance and contribute to the activity of all body systems. The second lead to calm and inactivity. The older the person, the less catecholamines produced, and more acetylcholine. That is why the old people are slow, many of them have
trembling hands. Acetylcholines are also “guilty” of exacerbation of gastrointestinal problems in the elderly, diabetes mellitus, age-related obesity, and even the occurrence of malignant tumors.
Wintering can help the body to start producing many catecholamines again, the benefits and harms of which cause so much controversy. It works reflexively. A sharp exposure to cold gives an impetus to the increased release of catecholamines into the blood to narrow the vessels of the skin and prevent the internal organs from freezing. The more a person trains, the more beneficial hormones appear in his body. From this, the capabilities of the nervous system increase, the muscles acquire a tone.
All older people involved in winter swimming look younger than their age on the passport. They are less sick, vigorous and energetic.
Is stress so terrible as it is painted
There is a proven fact that helps the uninitiated to reject winter swimming. The benefits and harms of him converge in the terrible word stress. But is he so dangerous? The famous
Hans Selye called stress adaptive stress, which in small doses helps the body fight viruses, germs, and so on, and only in large doses leads to exhaustion. American scientists from the University of Kentucky have confirmed that short-term stress, which can be attributed to exposure to cold, stimulates the immune system and increases resistance to many diseases, including infectious ones. It also helps to heal wounds and fight cancer cells.
When the "walrus" is dipped in an ice hole, his body is subjected to short-term stress. In response, blood vessels narrow, blood pressure jumps, the heart beats harder, and the blood glucose level rises. All this leads to an aggravation of feelings - vision, hearing, perception of the world. A person who regularly engages in winter swimming becomes more collected, purposeful and physically strong.
Only prolonged stress, usually associated with life problems, destroys health, leads to heart attacks, hypertension, diabetes, ulcers and nervous breakdowns.
Is winter swimming a drug?
Opponents of winter swimming argue that during splashing in the hole, people actively develop narcotic substances - endorphins. These hormones help mobilize defenses and ignore negative stimuli such as pain. In many diseases, endorphins are specially introduced into the body so that recovery occurs.
Indeed, people whose life is associated with extreme sports, get used to the high content of endorphins in the blood. They are difficult to tolerate inaction and peace. Nevertheless, they have no narcotic withdrawal. The same applies to "walruses." In the warm season, they can exercise more actively to increase physical activity. It also contributes to the production of endorphins.
It is hardly possible to call winter swimming a drug. The pros and cons here depend on other factors. And endorphins are produced in humans not only from the cold, but also during sex or the sound of pleasant music. No wonder they are called hormones of joy and happiness.
Immutable Rules
No matter how good you say about winter swimming, the benefits and harms of it are equally possible.
In order to get joy from swimming in ice water, you must strictly observe the following rules.
1. Start gradually, without fanaticism. Experienced walruses insist on preliminary hardening of the body. To do this, from the summer you need to pour cold water, gradually lowering its temperature.
2. The first time you do not plunge into the hole alone. It is imperative that someone be near.
3. Make an ice-hole so that you can easily get out of it.
4. Plunge just warming up the body, but not sweating.
5. To be in water for the first time for only 15-20 seconds, gradually increasing the time to a minute.
6. If it is not acceptable to freeze it, after picking it out of the water, you need to quickly remove wet items, wipe dry and put on warm clothes.
7. Do not spend winter swimming, being at least a little drunk.
Who should not dabble in the hole
Despite the undeniable positive effect that winter swimming gives, there are, unfortunately, contraindications. Winter swimming is prohibited for people who have problems with the cardiovascular system, thyroid, lungs, hypertension during exacerbations, suffering from epilepsy, asthma, infectious and some skin diseases. Everyone who has a chronic illness should undergo an examination and get permission from a doctor before starting winter swimming. Absolutely healthy future “walruses” must do this in order to correctly calculate the capabilities of their body.
Naturally, with the slightest ailment, chills, temperature, pain, you can not swim in the hole.
Walruses and walruses
With winter swimming for adults is more or less clear. What about the children? Serious passions are raging on this issue. Adherents of childhood winter swimming not only prove its exceptional usefulness, they openly demonstrate it in practice. Parents - "walruses" are happy to swim in the hole with their children, and the kids spend winter swimming naked. For adults, this is also more useful, because, having got out of the hole, you do not have to spend time on taking off wet clothes and exposing the body to additional hypothermia.
But many doctors believe that the children's body is not yet prepared to withstand stress. Because of this, many babies who are dipped in the hole often have problems with the nervous system, stomach, intestines, and immunity does not increase, but decreases. Therefore, the hardening of children is best done without extreme. To do this, there is an excellent method of rubbing and dousing with cool water, cryotherapy, walking barefoot on the floor at any time of the year.