It is no secret that there is a tradition of diving into an ice hole on Epiphany. Sometimes this action is called winter swimming.
It is, of course, good for health, but not for everyone. Only if you are prepared.
And even for experienced “walruses” there are rules that must be followed to protect the body from stress.
First of all, don't forget that the water will be cold.
And the temperature outside is not high (even if it’s not freezing, it’s still very cold).
Who shouldn't dive?
Experts strongly recommend not to dive if you have any medical contraindications.
And who should avoid swimming in icy water?
First of all, to people suffering from acute diseases or exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Pregnant women and citizens over 75 years of age are also strictly prohibited from diving into the ice hole.
A similar taboo applies to children under 7 years of age, due to the imperfection of their body's thermoregulation.
In no case should people with hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy and some other diseases dive.
Consultations with a doctor
Doctors advise people with chronic cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, joint diseases, kidney diseases, etc. to be very careful about swimming in January water.
They are advised to discuss this issue with their doctor.
By the way, experts say that swimming in ice water once a year does not harden the body.
According to them, the hardening process involves regular procedures to prepare the body for extremely low temperatures.
How to behave correctly in an ice hole
As for how to prepare the body for immersion in an ice hole on Epiphany, experts say that it is better to start working on the issue several weeks in advance.
You should start with warm water, gradually lowering its temperature.
It is not recommended to jump into the ice hole head first – experts advise entering the water gradually.
It is better to plunge not with your head, but up to your neck. It is advisable not to perform the procedure on an empty stomach.
The duration of stay in the ice hole should not exceed several minutes.
After the procedure, you need to dry yourself, put on dry clothes and warm up with tea in a warm room.
