Epiphany bathing is an ancient tradition of the Russian people, although, according to some reports, it is not Orthodox, contrary to universal beliefs. This custom was born in 988 at the baptism of Russia. At that time, dipping into the sacred waters of the river acquired the meaning of cleansing from sins. Although in fact, according to all the clergy, baptismal bathing does not cleanse anyone from sins, and indeed is not a Christian custom. To plunge into an ice hole or not to plunge is everyone's personal business. Christianity calls to attend the service, put a candle in the temple and take blessed water.
The opinion of doctors on this subject also ranges from positive to strictly negative. The rational grain in this tradition is as follows. Before bathing in ice water on a frosty day, you should first prepare: praying daily is not necessary, but tempering would be useful. Inveterate walruses recommend starting swimming in open water from October, when the water temperature is approximately 15 ° C. The time spent in the water should also be increased gradually: starting with a few seconds to plunge, and ending with the swims of 50-100 meters. If you do not have the opportunity to plunge in open water, pour cold water at home, gradually lowering its temperature. It is also useful to wipe snow on the street in winter.
- It should be borne in mind that before beginning all these procedures you MUST consult a doctor and it is advisable to undergo a number of examinations, since there are a lot of contraindications: heart and vascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, immunity disorders, chronic inflammatory processes in the body, gynecological and psychiatric ailments and many others. Diving in cold water for people with the above diseases is fraught with serious complications, up to a heart attack, stroke, and even sudden respiratory arrest, which will lead to death.
- Epiphany bathing is also contraindicated in the presence of even the slightest signs of a cold at the moment. Otherwise, you run the risk of ending up in a hospital with severe pneumonia. Yes, the fact that people bathing in the ice hole on Epiphany holidays do not get sick is a myth!
- Swimming in ice water and alcohol are incompatible. Neither before nor after, nor in any quantities. This is because cold water is already a serious stress for the body, and alcohol will increase the load on the heart and blood vessels. If you really need to drink for courage, it is better to refuse bathing.
- You should not, having seen enough of the “exploits” of your friends, dive into the ice hole the first time you take off and head off, and then, crawling out, flaunting, walking in swimming trunks and barefoot in the snow, otherwise Baptism will again end in pneumonia for you. It is wiser to plunge into the throat for a few seconds, after doing an active workout, and getting out, first of all, wipe the body dry, rubbing it to redness, put on a warm terry bathrobe and be sure to put on shoes. Then drink hot tea, better than herbal tea, and try to be in motion all the time - do not stand in one place.
- Bathing children in the hole at Baptism is a topic for a separate, very serious conversation. Here opinions are even more radically different. So, pediatricians express
the opinion of all official Western medicine, which states: it is recommended to start "wintering" no earlier than 15-16 years, when the body is already strong. Given that children have undeveloped immunity, and small and completely imperfect system of thermoregulation, it is simply contraindicated for them to plunge into ice water. - However, the experience of many families and organizations shows that a reasonable approach to hardening allows children to plunge into an ice hole almost from birth, while strengthening immunity and preventing the development of various diseases, for example, vegetative-vascular disorders. Of course, it should be borne in mind that children need even more serious preparation for bathing than adults, but the recommendations remain the same.
So, Epiphany bathing - although it is a very controversial moment, both from the point of view of medicine and from the point of view of religion, however, is an ancient tradition in Russia, which has been supported for centuries.
The debate about the benefits of bathing in ice water has been ongoing for a long time, but, nevertheless, no one can refute this obvious fact. Therefore, be healthy and bathe in health!