The benefits and harms of cold water hardening

Hardening is considered an effective way to prevent various diseases. Regular treatments strengthen the immune system, increasing the body's resistance to viruses and bacteria. The benefits and harms of dousing with cold water are inextricably linked with each other. Violation of the hardening technique leads to health complications. In other cases, manipulation has an extremely positive effect.

Cold water dousing techniques

Correct hardening with cold water makes the immune system stronger, which is important at any age. But efficiency directly depends on adherence to the basic principles. There are several methods of pouring cool water over. These include:

• local rubdown;
• rubdown with snow;
• winter swimming;
• dousing with ice water.

Each method differs in certain nuances of conducting. But the result is always the same. The body becomes less vulnerable to various diseases, the energy supply is replenished, and metabolic processes are started. The most common hardening method is the classic douche. It can be local and general. In the first case, we are talking about hardening certain parts of the body, in the second - about all life support systems.

Rubbing with snow or a towel dampened with cold water is considered more gentle. They are suitable for beginners. Winter swimming is an active pastime in cold water. At the initial stages, a person sinks into the water for several minutes. In the future, they practice swimming and various exercises.

How to start a cold water douche

The benefits of cold water for the body are in its health. The procedure will not cause difficulties even for a child. But before you start hardening, you need to weigh the beneficial properties and harm. It is important to visit a doctor beforehand to rule out possible contraindications.

It is strictly forbidden to start hardening abruptly. It is necessary to allow the body to get used to the low temperature. Initially, it should be just a couple of degrees below standard body temperature. The exposure to cool water should not be prolonged. Therefore, an ice shower is not the best option for beginners. Collect cold water in a deep container and then pour it over yourself. It is not recommended to practice winter swimming at the stage of acquaintance with hardening.

Why dousing with cold water is useful

The benefits of cold water hardening are concentrated in activating the body's hidden reserves.Wellness manipulations allow you to keep it in good shape, preventing the occurrence of viral and infectious diseases. The most pronounced useful properties of hardening include:

• improved blood circulation;
• prevention of varicose veins;
• giving the skin elasticity;
• stimulation of cellular renewal;
• activation of metabolic processes;
• invigorating and increasing energy;
• normalization of the nervous system;
• elimination of negative energy.

Developing willpower

The main advantage of hardening is the successful training of willpower. Dousing with ice water makes a person more resilient and resistant to aggressive factors. This is especially important in childhood. As they grow up, the child will react less painfully to pathological conditions and life failures.

Strengthening immunity

The benefits of hardening with cold water for the body are due to the strengthening of the defenses. Water is considered a natural factor, contact with which stimulates vital processes. Wellness measures make the body more flexible in relation to temperature extremes. In the future, this affects the state of health and the ability to resist various ailments.

Improving blood circulation

An equally important useful property of hardening is the improvement of the blood circulation process. Dousing with cold water tones the vascular walls and provokes the movement of lymph. Due to this, blood begins to flow to the organs faster than before.

Dousing with cold water is a beneficial process for the brain. It acts as an excellent alternative to morning coffee. Hardening activates mental activity and improves memory. This is due to the fact that blood flows to the brain cells faster than usual.

Improving mood and relieving stress

In the process of dousing with cool water, physical stress occurs for all organs. As a result, a large amount of adrenaline is produced. It improves mood and helps to normalize the nervous system. The hypothalamus at this moment sends a signal to the rest of the organs about the need for warming. For this reason, the blood begins to move faster, causing pleasant physical sensations.

The appearance of cheerfulness

The beneficial properties of hardening include the effect of vivacity. Due to the aggressive influence of external factors, the body comes into a state of combat readiness. That is why douche is practiced in the morning. They help to quickly wake up and tune in to a working mood. It is important not to overdo it so that the therapy does not harm your health.

For healthy skin and hair

The benefits of dousing with cold water for women is the rejuvenating effect. Regular wellness manipulations help to tone the skin surface. They lead to an improvement in complexion by normalizing blood circulation.

The effect of cold water on hair is controversial. So that the procedure does not harm the hair, the rules for its implementation should be followed. In the initial stages, it is advisable to wear a protective cap for the pool. Sudden temperature changes contribute to hair breakage.

Slimming

The benefits of pouring cold water in the morning is due to the acceleration of metabolic processes in the body. It is beneficial for overweight people. With regular health measures, harmful cholesterol is removed from the vessels faster. The effectiveness of hardening increases with diet and exercise.

For men

According to statistics, the stronger sex is doused with cold water more often than women. Their bodies are naturally more resilient.The benefits of dousing with cold water for men is to increase libido and improve the quality of semen. Hot baths temporarily block a man's ability to conceive. The beneficial properties of cold water have the opposite effect. Therefore, experts recommend the practice of hardening for couples planning a pregnancy.

The benefits of cold water hardening for men are concentrated in the property of improving muscle tone. Due to this, the set of muscle mass becomes easier. Men who practice hardening have excellent stress resistance and physical endurance.

For athletes after training

Water treatments are most relevant after active training. Physical activity exhausting the body. Dousing with cool water helps to fill the energy deficit and motivate you to further exercise. It is important to exclude contraindications to exposure to cold water. Watching a video about dousing will help you understand the principle of its implementation. Violation of technique threatens health problems.

Benefits of dousing your feet with cold water

It is not necessary to carry out a general douche with cold water. In some cases, local exposure is sufficient. The hardening of the lower extremities is most often practiced. The benefits of dousing your feet with cold water is due to the sharp narrowing of the vascular wall. As a result, blood circulation improves due to intensive vascular training. Using the procedure, it is possible to achieve the following effect:

• the heaviness in the calves is eliminated;
• puffiness is removed at the end of the working day;
• prevention of varicose veins is performed;
• the appearance of the vascular network is prevented.

Pouring cold water on the legs with varicose veins helps to cope with the painful sensations caused by congestion. The vessels and veins become stronger, which allows you to withstand physical activity. This is most true for people with an active lifestyle. In this case, there is no harm.

How to properly pour cold water

Even in the absence of contraindications for conducting, care must be taken when quenching with cold water. Violation of the rules for its conduct can provoke infection with acute respiratory diseases. Therefore, consider the following:

• for insurance in the first days of hardening, you need to take someone close to you;
• children and the elderly should be extra careful;
• after dousing, do not stay in a room with a temperature below 19 ° C;
• it is recommended to avoid drafts after exposure to temperature extremes;
• if suspicious symptoms occur, hardening is stopped, after which they consult a doctor;
• after the procedure, the entire surface of the body is actively rubbed with a towel.

Tempering children with cold water

The earlier you start hardening, the faster the body adapts to stressful loads. Therefore, this method of healing is often practiced in childhood. In the absence of contraindications, there is no harm to health. The main positive feature of the procedure is the process of strengthening the immune system. Pediatricians recommend starting recovery at the age of no earlier than 3 years. From 9 months you can practice dry wiping.

Why pouring cold water in a bath is useful

The beneficial properties of pouring cold water in a bath are no less pronounced than with other hardening methods. It is categorically contraindicated to start procedures with ice water immediately after the steam room. This will harm the vessels. You need to rest for a while, and then pour yourself over with a slightly warm liquid. Only after this do they proceed directly to hardening. There are several effective methods of winter swimming:

• short contrast shower;
• alternately dipping limbs in a container with cold and hot water;
• alternating lowering of the legs into a basin of cold and ice water.

The harm from dousing with cold water

If the technique is violated, the harm from hardening is several times greater than its benefit. Pouring cold water on your feet before bed can help relieve heaviness and pain. But with insomnia, it is extremely undesirable to practice them, since the difficulty of falling asleep will only increase. It is also not recommended to resort to dousing with cold water for hypertension in a neglected form. In this case, the risk of side effects increases.

The harm of manipulation is especially noticeable during an exacerbation of chronic diseases. With pathologies of the nervous system, such a method of recovery can aggravate the symptoms. Therefore, before carrying out therapy, you should consult with a specialist. With a pronounced immunodeficiency, temperature manipulations can provoke the development of colds.

Contraindications to cold water hardening

Useful properties of the procedure are not an argument for its implementation, if there are contraindications. Their presence should be checked with the attending physician. Otherwise, winter swimming will be harmful to health. This method of recovery is contraindicated in the following conditions:

• oncological diseases;
• thrombophlebitis;
• cardiovascular disorders;
• problems with the blood supply to the brain;
• colds;
• open form of tuberculosis;
• strokes and heart attacks;
• hypertension.

Is it possible to pour cold water on pregnant women

The possibility of dousing during the period of bearing a child is established on an individual basis. If a woman practiced hardening before pregnancy, then a ban on the procedure is not imposed. It will be extremely beneficial. In other cases, being in cold water is harmful to the child's health.

Is it worth quenching with cold water for osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a pathological process in the articular cartilage. It is accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome. The beneficial properties of dousing with cold water in this case are based on the intensive expansion of blood vessels after their sharp narrowing. The alternation of warm and cold temperatures helps to strengthen the joints, thereby improving the patient's well-being. Such manipulations do not bring harm.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of dousing with cold water are required for everyone who wants to improve their health by hardening. Before carrying out the procedure, it is necessary to study all its nuances. This will help you become healthier while avoiding health complications.

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