How to start pouring cold water. What happens in the body when pouring cold water. Dousing with cold water for osteochondrosis

Already more than a year I douse myself with cold water, and in this article I want to tell you how I came to this, and what it gives me. First, a little about myself, as a child I was sickly child, I constantly had some kind of colds, they stuffed me with medicines, antibiotics, “our” doctor from the children's clinic was our most frequent guest, if I try, I’ll remember the name now ... Lyudmila Yakovlevna, a big hello to you! But I don’t remember anything about hardening in childhood, my parents took care of me very much, they always dressed me warmly, two hats, a bunch of sweaters, second pants, scarves, mittens ... Of course, in such an outfit in winter I quickly found myself covered in sweat, and then cooled down and immediately fell ill, entering a new circle of medicines, mustard plasters, rinsing and rubbing with oil.

Toward the end of school, I intuitively began to understand that “warmly dressed” and “I won’t get sick” are two loosely related concepts, it became easier to dress, wear a hat less often, and I was so tired of the scarf and gloves in childhood that then I just stopped wearing them in principle, no matter what the weather was outside. My health became better, but it was still normal for me to catch a cold and get sick. This continued both at the institute and at work, although I began to get sick less, but I understood that this was happening rather because I simply began to exclude those situations when I could catch a cold: I avoided drafts, put on a hat, did not drink cold drinks, went to public transport…

In general, you can live, but there is no limit to perfection! And it is, as usual, a roasted rooster that pushes us to change ... Once in the winter I again fell ill with a sore throat, and everything dragged on, and folk remedies no longer helped. As a result, I went on sick leave (lost decent money at work), began to drink antibiotics, recovered, but after that I firmly decided that I needed to harden myself. Here I must say that in terms of physique I am thin and slender, no matter how much I eat and do sports, such a complexion. There is no fat, not only superfluous, but almost none necessary. With such a constitution of the body, cold water is not at all a buzz, several times I already began to harden, but it always led to a pre-cold state, and I had to tie it up.

And my wife grew up in a provincial town, where her parents didn’t shake so much over her, they regularly doused her with cold water, and in winter her mother drove her with her half-naked barefoot sister into the snow and locked front door... in childhood it was a shame, but now my wife practically does not get sick. And, if in winter I immediately feel some kind of draft, then it is either not noticeable to her at all or: “Oh, how good it blows, let's leave the window!”

So, it's never too late to change, and I decided to challenge myself one more time. In order not to get sick right away, not to score in a few days, not to start skipping douches, the following scheme was developed:

1. I start to drench with the beginning of summer, right June 1st. It is already warm outside, the cold water in the tap is not as cold as in winter. spring beriberi passed. Good starting point.

2. I pour myself in the morning, immediately after the shower, you will not forget here. In the evening, everyone periodically experiences very tired states, when dousing can harm, so it’s better in the morning.

3. I shower every day. I have been starting every day with a shower for a long time, so there should not be any difficulties here.

The start was given in the summer of 2011, at first I took a bucket in the bathroom and poured it on myself, but I quickly realized that this was not convenient for me, since a lot of water splashes on the floor, and it gets on the body quite unevenly. I admit that it is much more convenient to do all this on the street, but in the conditions of an apartment I didn’t really succeed. And then two more points were added to the three points, already in detail:

4. At the end of the shower, I just hang it on the wall at a comfortable height, when the water pours over the whole body. I stand like this, tune in, and then sharply turn the mixer to maximum power and maximum cold water, while turning my back to the jets. So I douse myself from the back, then turn my chest, pour over my head, then take off the shower and pour over my stomach and legs even longer. By the way, at the same time, there is already excellent vigor in the body and it is very pleasant to water the legs.

Main point: it was very important for me to relieve myself of responsibility for the choice of temperature and pressure. I know that if you start to feel sorry for yourself, add a little hot, gradually reduce the degree, then you can never come to anything. Therefore, I just turn it on to the maximum cold, which will be in the tap - this will be! In summer, even cold water in the water supply is still warm, but by the New Year it will start to get colder, for which I should already be a little prepared. Here is such an “automatic” smooth hardening by lowering the temperature.

5. In conclusion I wash my face with cold water and rinse my mouth with it, this is already for the skin of the face and teeth. At first it was somehow unpleasant, but then the teeth get used to it and also enjoy it. I immediately remember a guy from school who never had his teeth treated during the whole time of teaching, and then once said that he just rinses his mouth every morning ice water.

That's how I douse myself until now, I'm already used to it and I'm not going to tie it up. Last winter, I wanted to swim in the hole at Epiphany, but I didn’t find a company, as a result, I scored full bath ice water, sat down on his knees in it and plunged headlong into the water three times, not forgetting to cross himself when rising. To be honest, I didn't think so! Bullet jumped out of the bathroom and warmed up for about a minute, glad that I was standing in a warm room and on a rug. I realized that it was too early for me to go into the hole, but still I really liked this bathing in the bathroom, I didn’t get sick, but only strengthened, and in the morning, as usual, I poured water after a shower. I look forward to the next Baptism.

Now let's sum up what has changed in a little over a year:

1. During this time, I was no longer sick. Several times there were pre-morbid conditions, but I clearly know that I myself “did” a lot to come to them ( severe fatigue, lack of sleep, malnutrition ...) These conditions were removed easily, usually it is enough to eat a lemon with sugar, eat well and sleep well.

2. An inner confidence has appeared that if I myself do not be stupid and do not “test” myself too much for a fortress, then I will not get sick in any weather.

3. The body began to work better, more balanced. There is almost no headache, I can get enough sleep in 7 hours (previously it took 8), due to the general rise in immunity, non-cold diseases do not stick.

4. Drafts are already much less disturbing, we always sleep with an open window and fresh air.

5. I don't remember when I went to the dentist. There are no reasons.

6. In the morning after a shower, I am very alert and full of energy, this is definitely not the case if you just take a warm shower.

7. In the country, sometimes I pour water from the well, before the water burned and caused trembling, but now I enjoy it.

8. When hot water was turned off for 10 days this summer, I just washed under cold water. Previously, this did not fit in my head, I had to get up early, heat pots of water on gas, take them to the bathroom ... And then I just got under the shower, washed myself and go ahead. I can’t say that I was comfortable, but already quite tolerable.

9. The pool is now much more pleasant to swim in, the water does not seem as cold as before.

10. Moral satisfaction it is difficult to evaluate what has been done, but it is very tangible and pushes to new achievements.

I recall the story of a teacher from a school work practice, which I went through as a nurse in a hospital: there were cases when medicine no longer knew what to do to cure a person. For example, incomprehensible skin diseases. Then it was placed in such a way that ordinary running water from the water supply constantly flowed through the body, over the affected areas. Running water just runs ... And the person gradually recovered. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but a doctor from the Central Clinical Hospital told us this.

I hope you were interested in learning about one of the options for dousing with cold water, I tried to describe everything as clearly as possible, to share known information. Nothing prevents you from making changes, developing your own method. I repeat that I am quite thin and that what is easily tolerated by a full person could have immediately led to illness before, so I had to draw up a plan for gradual hardening. And I’ll tell you in secret that the main thing is not only read the article, but also start doing!

A person is happy when he is healthy. But we get sick sometimes. Some people with health problems seek relief in pills, others trust more folk methods. But in most cases, in order to be cured, we try different methods of treatment. Hardening is great way heal your body. Dousing with cold water has helped more than one person to strengthen the immune system and get rid of serious diseases. How to do hardening procedures with cold water?

The benefits and harms of pouring cold water

If you decide to lead healthy lifestyle life and harden by dousing with cold water, then first of all find out all the subtleties of this procedure. You should also talk to your doctor and find out his recommendations for pouring, taking into account your state of health. It is difficult to start the procedure of hardening with cold water, but gradually a person gets used to it and receives only positive emotions from it. Let's see how cold water is useful. It has the following benefits for the body:

• Strengthens all body systems.
• It has a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine and immune systems.
• Rejuvenates.
• This is a great preventative effective treatment colds.
• Reduces the risk of disease of cardio-vascular system.
• Relieves stress and uplifts mood.
• It has a positive effect on the work of the digestive tract.
• Promotes the removal of toxins.

Why is the process of quenching with ice water so beneficial? To understand this, it is necessary to consider what happens in the body during hardening. When cold water abruptly hits the body in large quantities, the body experiences stress. Under the influence sharp drop temperatures, the vessels of the body narrow, the skin acquires pale color. And inside the body there is a sharp rush of blood to all organs.

Under the influence of positive stress, reactions begin to occur, leading to the activation of all systems and organs. After that, the vessels dilate, and the body becomes red. At the end of the hardening procedure, a pleasant warmth is felt throughout the body. Regular hardening train the body's defenses, so it begins to actively resist diseases, harmful external influences.

But not all people dousing with cold water will benefit. Before deciding to harden, pay attention to the contraindications for this procedure. Dousing with cold water is contraindicated in following states:

• Any chronic diseases during the period of exacerbation.
• Diseases that violate the integrity skin: wounds, ulcers, skin diseases.
• Ischemic disease, heart failure, tachycardia.
• High blood pressure.
• Hypotension.
• Violation of the fundus.
• Influenza and ARI.

How to get started with cold water

It is better to water yourself from a bucket rather than from a shower or bucket. It is necessary to pour water on yourself sharply and in large quantities. If you pour water in a thin stream during hardening, then positive effect will not. The jet of water should completely cover your back, but do not forget to pour over your arms, neck and legs as well. One dousing procedure should last several seconds. Its meaning is to create a sharp and rapid temperature drop in the body, so you need to pour a bucket of water quickly.

A shower for dousing is not suitable, because then the body will not necessary processes, and this will lead to hypothermia and illness. For the first dousing, it is better to take ½ bucket of ice water, the next time a little more. Gradually, it is necessary to reach the pouring of 1 bucket. Hardening with water per day is carried out from 1 to 3 times. There are different methods for dousing with water: some are soft, while others are more rigid.

The essence of the popular hardening method is to gradually lower the temperature of the water for dousing. For ten days, the water temperature is reduced by no more than 5 degrees. You should stop at a water temperature of 15-18 degrees. Remember main principle- it is absolutely impossible to replace pouring from a bucket with a cold shower.

Dipping tips for beginners:

• Begin with procedures for dousing individual parts of the body.
• Lower the temperature after several procedures.
• After hardening, do physical exercises.
• Do not wipe with a towel for a long time.
• There should be no drafts in the bathroom or other hardening room.
• Accustom children to hardening procedures from childhood gradually.
• Elderly people are not recommended to pour water with a temperature below 15 degrees.
• At serious illnesses consult your doctor before starting hardening.
• Never finish the procedure with a warm shower.
• Overcome the fear of ice water the first time, then the next time will be much easier.

A more rigid hardening method is the system developed by P. Ivanov. Before starting dousing by this method, you need to tune in a positive way. The first douches can be with a small amount water, but gradually it is required to reach the pouring of 8-12 liters of water. It is necessary to carry out procedures with water below 11 degrees.

When hardening with water at such a low temperature in the body at the time of dousing for a second, the temperature rises to 42 degrees. This leads to the fact that the entire infection in the body is destroyed. Ivanov recommended his method of dousing for cancer prevention, for removing radiation, and increasing immunity.

Hardening rules according to P. Ivanov:

1. It is recommended to douse with water with a temperature of less than 11 degrees. The time of the hardening procedure is no more than 1-2 seconds.
2. After the procedure, do not dry yourself with a towel.
3. Better procedure do it outside, but it is also allowed to do it in the bathroom.
4. It is better to do the procedure before performing exercise.
5. At good health it is recommended to do the procedure 2 times a day, in the morning and in the evening or at other times of the day.

What gives dousing with water according to Ivanov: reviews

Valentina, 65 years old:

Temper with my husband together. We go out into the yard and pour 2 buckets of water on ourselves. It gives us, the elderly, vigor and strength. We get sick less colds and we feel great.

Sofia, 40 years old:

I've been drenched for many years now. During this time, chronic diseases disappeared. I no longer suffer from chronic tonsillitis. Before curing the disease with hardening water goes exacerbation. But then the disease goes away forever.

Svetlana, 28 years old:

My mother started pouring water over me since childhood, because I was a frail child. My mother and I went outside in any weather and poured buckets of water on ourselves. I don't shower as regularly now, but I've hardly gotten sick since long ago, when I started to harden.

Pouring feet

Cold water dousing procedures may be limited to only certain parts of the body. Beneficial for health various diseases is the pouring of the feet. Usually such procedures are carried out 1-2 hours before bedtime. Douse the shins with cold water using a ladle or shower.

The time of the procedure is recommended to be selected according to how you feel, but you should start with quick douches for 5-10 seconds. And then, with good tolerance, it is recommended to increase the duration of the procedure up to 1 minute. 2 weeks after the start of hardening, this process begins to give real pleasure, because after dousing, fatigue, stress and insomnia disappear.

Is dousing good for kids?

The Moscow Institute of Pediatrics studied the effect of hardening procedures on the health of children. Experts came to the conclusion that with the systematic implementation of such procedures, after 2 months in healthy children, catarrhal reactions cease to occur during changes in ambient temperatures. And in babies with diathesis, this improvement in health occurs after 1 year of hardening procedures. Hardening of children should be started after consultation with a pediatrician.

Some people drink pills as soon as they feel the symptoms of the disease, others run to the doctor, and still others do not notice anything happening to their health at all. And there is such a category of people who begin to seek help in traditional medicine. The simplest and least time-consuming and financial way is dousing with cold water. It helps to get rid of diseases long years and replenish energy reserves daily.

What are the benefits of dousing with cold water?

1) Cold water has a very useful property- completely hardens the body, which contributes to its rapid recovery.
2) Activates the work of the endocrine and immune systems.
3) Stimulates the processes occurring in the tissue cells of a weakened body, which contributes to its healing and rejuvenation.
4) Heals all kinds of colds, reduces the risk of recurrence hundreds of times.
5) Of course, pouring - excellent tool rescue in hot weather.
6) Replenishes energy, vigor and good mood all day.
7) Reduces the risk of heart disease.
8) Eliminates irritability and fatigue.

How to quench with cold water?

Ideal for hardening - morning. The lower the water temperature, the better the effect. It is a mistake to use tap water, as it is too warm for hardening. As an alternative, you can add pre-prepared ice to this water or put it in the refrigerator overnight. Of course, only a beginner "walrus" will find it difficult to get used to ice water, so you have to start with tap water, gradually lowering its temperature to 150C.
Once on the body, cold water begins to irritate the skin receptors, after which the latter send signals to the central nervous system. Signals are coming from there vascular system, there is a narrowing blood vessels, the flow of blood to the skin stops, it enters all available organs, giving them extra energy and stimulating work.

Proper pouring technique.

by the most the best way dousing with cold water is the instantaneous pouring of the entire volume of water from a bucket onto the body. Of course, it is better to start with half a bucket of tap water, eventually reaching a whole bucket of ice water.
You need to shower every day at least 1 time. Ideal - 3 times. If you take a break, then the resumption of the procedure will cause some discomfort for a few seconds.

Water should be poured so that it covers the entire back and body. Thus, a greater effect will be achieved. Prolonged exposure to cold water can seriously harm your health, so the procedure should not take more than a few seconds.

No need to be afraid to start hardening. Of course, the first time it will be difficult enough to make you pour a whole bucket on yourself. cold water, then the body itself will begin to ask for another portion of invigorating water. A person who has some kind of disease should consult with his doctor before starting hardening.

Be sure to watch the related video

Even small children know that water is the main and vital source for existence. Only the information that a person is 80% water is enough to eliminate all doubts about the benefits of this "life-giving liquid".

For a healthy existence of the body, in addition to taking water inside, hardening can be carried out by pouring water in the morning. It is very important to carry out this manipulation with the mind, otherwise the chance of doing harm will outweigh the usefulness of the procedure.

Dousing as a method of healing came from our predecessors. Ancient healers were well aware of magical properties water and often practiced similar treatment.

Pouring water is very beneficial for the body.

Almost every day, stunning ideas come to a person’s head, which, for a number of reasons (even rather excuses), remain just ideas.

How to overcome laziness and find an incentive for yourself to start dousing?

Here's a couple psychological tricks that can turn thoughts into actions:

• Purchase a tempering container for yourself (a bucket is most convenient). Buy the copy that makes you want to go and finally do it. Let all the people living with you be forbidden to use this bucket, and maybe you even infect them with your example!
• Let everyone around you know about your decision. Tell your friends, colleagues, relatives that here, with tomorrow, well, or soon (the sooner the better, because enthusiasm is such a thing ...) your program for improving the body starts. Paint them colorfully positive consequences process, and you will see, then it will become simply inconvenient not to fulfill the promise given not only to yourself, but also to your close circle.

Types of cold water dousing

Pouring cold water improves immunity

There are two ways to start the process.

Gradual pouring

This technique involves pouring water immediately at a low temperature, but in small portions. Need to start with lower parts body.

During the first week, only the feet should be poured, the next - the knees, then - the pouring to the thighs, the fourth week - to the waist, and finally the full pouring of the whole body.

Method of gradual decrease in water temperature

The name of this method speaks for itself, in fact, it is based on a gradual decrease in the degree of water temperature, the number of which should eventually reach 10-15 ° C. This type of hardening is great for babies, but it also causes mothers to worry that the baby will become cold and sick. But if you approach the process with skill, the probability of a cold is close to zero.

There is a wide variety of pouring methods with certain techniques, but each of them is aimed at achieving primary goals:

• improving immunity,
• performance improvement,
• receiving a charge of vivacity and vitality.

So, here are some pouring techniques:

1. Immersion in cold water. A person who opted for this method takes a bath with cold water and completely immerses himself in it for 3 seconds.
2. Contrasting overlay. The method, according to the technique, is similar to the first one, but only pouring is carried out from the container, which contributes to the enhanced effect of the procedure. This method is considered a little more rigid.
3. Cold and hot shower. This method is considered the most loyal, its meaning is to improve blood circulation due to skin tone. It is necessary to carry out dousing with water with a temperature difference of about 15 degrees. First douche with warm water, then cold.
4. Winter swimming. Represents dipping in ice water.

Careful! This option is not suitable for a beginner.

For an unprepared person, it is better to start with more soft method and for some time to systematically observe the execution, thereby preparing the body for a strong temperature shock.

Common rules for pouring

On the initial stage recovery, you can ask for help from loved ones

To avoid unpleasant consequences, everyone who plans to improve their body and improve well-being with the help of douches must follow a number of simple rules:

• In order to avoid cold manifestations, the temperature of the room in which you will go after the procedure should be at least 19-20 degrees. Be sure to check that there are no drafts in the room.
• Ask for help from loved ones at the initial stage of recovery. Let one of your relatives douse you during the first procedures. It will be easier for you, and there will be someone nearby who can observe your general well-being.
• If you have already reached a respectable age, do not ignore your feelings, listen carefully to the signals of the body and do not pour water below 15 degrees.
• You can pour over at any time of the day, but for an invigorating charge and a great working mood, do it along with your usual morning routines. After a month, you will get so used to it that it will become as elementary as brushing your teeth.
• Set yourself up for a positive outlook. Nothing useful will come of it if you perform an action through “I can’t”. Think about something pleasant, tune in to a positive wave, then success will definitely visit you.
• Dousing should not be a second, try to slowly pour water on yourself so that it has time to affect all parts of the body.
• At the end of the procedure, rub the body with a bath towel to avoid severe freezing.

Secrets of the positive effects of pouring cold water

Many people know that pouring is useful, that the likelihood of getting sick is reduced to a minimum, but not everyone thinks why this happens and what is the secret principle of cold water.

The main feature is to stimulate the work of thermal receptors in the skin. In an instant, the body temperature reaches a 40-degree value and in the same way instantly returns to normal. Just when this happens, an impressive number of harmful bacteria die inside the body.

Irrigation benefits:

1. Stimulation of the gland responsible for the functionality of the human internal organs (hypothalamus);
2. Involvement of all active biological points body (they try to achieve the same effect with acupuncture);
3. Improving blood circulation and flushing out toxins and toxins;
4. Due to the rapid constriction and expansion of blood vessels, the blood enriches the vital important organs fresh portion of oxygen;
5. Rejuvenation of the body by dousing does not require practically any financial investments and is very effective, because it is not in vain great amount modern people, as well as our ancestors used this method of strengthening the body;
6. Activation of the metabolic processes and, as a result, accelerated combustion fat and weight loss;
7. Reduce puffiness and varicose veins due to the tone of the veins and active blood circulation (if there is such a problem, then it should be poured from top to bottom).

Contraindications

Pouring cold water with hypertension is prohibited

Despite the fact that pouring is extremely useful, it has a number of contraindications:

• You can not stay in the water for too long, otherwise there is a risk of hypothermia, colds;
• In case of diseases of the nervous system, consultation with the attending physician is mandatory, it is also important to carefully douse the spinal area;
• During pregnancy, it would be optimal to refrain from dousing, but if future mom wants to continue nevertheless, it is better to pour only the legs, at a temperature not lower than 18 degrees;
• The period of exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• Presence on the skin purulent formations or wounds;
• During the period of a cold or flu, you can’t pour yourself over, because apart from aggravating the disease, nothing will come of it;
• It is impossible to deviate from the technique for performing the selected type of hardening;
• Cardiovascular diseases;
• Postponed heart attack or stroke;
• oncological diseases;
• thrombophlebitis;
• Tuberculosis in an open form;
• Poor blood supply to the brain;

Features of hardening of the child's body

Pouring water is also beneficial for child's body

Tempering a child's body, subject to a certain number of rules, carries only a positive charge. There are two types of hardening of children from 0-8 years old.

Gradual decrease in bathing water temperature

To do this, once a week, reduce the temperature by 0.5-1 degrees. The initial figure on the thermometer should be 36 degrees. By the way, pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky supports this type of hardening from the first days of life.

morning rubdown

This type of hardening is wiping with a towel soaked in water or a terry mitten. Water should be 36 degrees, followed by a drop of 1 degree every five days.

Pouring cold water on children of an older age group has a number of some features that the parents of the baby should take with the utmost responsibility:

1. The hardening program can start only when the child feels excellent, and preferably in the warm season.
2. You can not take breaks between douches, a clear procedure must be observed.
3. Before starting, a visit to the family pediatrician is required.
4. Hardening should be a joy, the child should not feel a sense of fear, so it is worth gently explaining to the baby why everything is being done.
5. Water temperature for children under 8 years old - not lower than 20 degrees, from 8-13 years old - not lower than 16 ° C.

Douche in the bath

Bathing improves blood circulation

The miraculous effect after visiting the steam room is known to most people. In the bath, all the pores of the body open and a lot of toxins are removed through them.

Steaming with a broom enhances this result, and if you add cold water dousing, then there will be a huge positive effect for the body.

The global temperature difference improves blood circulation, promotes weight loss and care " orange peel" among women. It is desirable to reduce the temperature in the pouring bucket also gradually.

Pouring on patients with osteochondrosis

In no case should patients with osteochondrosis supercool, hence the question “Is it possible to pour cold water on osteochondrosis?”

It turns out you can, you just need to know the features:

1. Dousing begins with the head, the water on the back should pass in a wide strip;
2. Perfect option - contrast pouring, since the body in the process of dousing first warms up well hot water(1 minute), and then comes the turn of the cold (half a minute). The temperature difference is no more than 10 at the beginning, and 45°C/15°C at the end;
3. After dousing, you need to wipe yourself with a towel and dress warmly.

In order to strengthen your body and ensure maximum resistance to disease, you need to temper - this truth is known to all. One of the hardening methods is dousing with cold water. Consider what this technique gives the body, what are the mechanisms of action, what benefits are expected from it, and whether it can be harmful.

Description and history of the technique

Influenced by evolution human body learned to endure temperature extremes, extreme cold and intense heat. For this, nature has carefully provided him with appropriate mechanisms. Recent centuries and the steady improvement in the quality of life have greatly pampered man, although they have increased his lifespan, as well as survival. Mechanisms and reflex reactions fade out of uselessness, and people lose the gifts of evolution, which have now become unnecessary.

The knowledge that hardening improves health has never ceased to be relevant, the ancient people also actively used it to strengthen the spirit, educate the will and discipline, and, supported by various moral and ethical standards, it has come down to our time.

Antique sources tell us about the use of various measures related to the effects of cold not only on adults, but also on children. It was with the light hand of Hippocrates that such a direction in medicine as cryotherapy arose - cold treatment. Barbarians, for example, Scythians, Vikings, used snow and water from cold springs for this, more enlightened civilizations gave their citizens baths and baths with heated water and cold pools.

Bathing in a Russian bath also involves contact with very contrasting temperatures. The process of immersing a baby in water during baptism in the first days of life is nothing but the beginning of the hardening of a new person.

Did you know? In the elite school of Gordon Stone, in the north of Scotland, children of British aristocrats, and even heirs to the crown, study. The conditions at the school are very ascetic: pupils have to all year round take a cold shower, sleep at open windows even in winter and always wear shorts.

AT Russian Empire water treatment was first introduced to scientific level, when Sebastian Kneipp's book "My hydrotherapy" was published in 1886 in Zhytomyr. The ideas of the Bavarian priest, who was able not only to overcome his own illnesses, but also to popularize his experience, in particular, laid the foundation for even such an extreme direction as winter swimming.

In 1905, B. Kaminsky's book "The Friend of Health" was published in Kyiv, and in 1906 in St. Petersburg, Platen published a work called "New in hydrotherapy." All these books have been reprinted many times and have not lost their relevance to this day. Those who wish can still purchase them.

• heat generation;
• heat transfer;
• heat exchange;
• thermoregulation.

Short-term exposure to cold water on the skin - the organ with the largest area - causes a powerful stress, which instantly releases internal reserves organism. This includes innate mechanisms designed to quickly restore a comfortable balance, causing an acceleration of metabolic processes and blood flow to internal organs.

Important! The immune system trained in this way will provide strong resistance to seasonal ailments and other ailments.

Existing Methods

As for hardening with cold water, several different methods are used for its implementation, from which everyone can choose something suitable:

Did you know? The Zen Buddhist healing practice of 108 Steps Down the Stream is thousands of years old. The monk had to perform this exercise in any weather to improve his health. 108 is a sacred number for Buddhists, and it is this number of steps taken that will be sufficient to activate the body's capabilities.

• contrast douche involves applying first warm water, and after - cold, the temperature of which is lower than the previous one by at least 15 degrees. This method does not entail severe stress as with ordinary dousing, however, due to temperature changes, the body develops excellent resistance to infections;
• immersion is perhaps the most radical method, which involves complete immersion in cold water and staying there for 3-4 seconds. Beginners are advised to start training in the bath, and diving into the hole is practiced by more experienced and advanced adherents of the method - “walruses”.

1. Gradual decrease in water temperature.
2. Gradual increase in the area of ​​the skin areas covered.

The benefits of a hobby, and what it gives

Adherents and adherents of cold dousing, as well as doctors, note the many benefits that result from this practice.

• It has been proven that cold dousing strengthens the immune system person and increases the resistance of his body various infections- viral and bacterial. Thanks to the impact low temperatures on the skin in the blood, the level of lymphocytes, designed to destroy pathogens, and monocytes, which absorb and process pathogenic cells alien to the body, increase.
• The sharp constriction of blood vessels due to exposure to cold temperatures and their subsequent expansion remarkably train their walls and improve blood circulation, forcing it to move faster. Improving blood circulation also contributes to increased respiration and, as a result, the enrichment of blood with oxygen. It provides prevention cardiovascular diseases: hypertension, varicose veins and others.
• Increased blood circulation improves human cognitive abilities: memory, concentration, performance and others.
• The stress shaking provided by a cold shower helps to mobilize the body in defense against external cold and at the same time produce internal heat. Such exercises greatly improve ability to thermoregulate, and the body is able to adequately protect itself in adverse conditions.

• Due to the shock reaction to a cold shower, blood circulation improves, breathing quickens, body systems become toned, and their supply of oxygen increases. These processes improve attentiveness.
• Under the influence of cold temperatures, brown fat is activated, which is responsible for the production of thermal energy. To warm the body and protect it from hypothermia, it produces calories, and excess weight steadily declining. In addition, improved blood circulation helps to reduce the subcutaneous fat layer, called cellulite. Low temperatures make brown fat work 15 times more active, and daily douche for a year will allow you to lose up to 4 extra pounds.

• Stress and depression are ominous companions of modern man. They are caused by the constant acceleration of the rhythm of life, increased responsibility and other attributes of today. Reducing stress levels is not a whim in the circumstances, but a reasonable protection of the mind and body from pernicious influence: constant fatigue, headaches, insomnia, anxiety and others. Stress tolerance is stimulated by a low temperature stimulus. This reduces the content uric acid in the body, and at the same time increases the level of the antioxidant substance - glutathione. These processes reduce general level stress.
• Cold douches help with success at depressive states . The mechanism of action is as follows: cold activates the so-called “blue spot” in the brain, which contributes to the production of the hormone norepinephrine, the main enemy of depression. In parallel with cold dousing, another process occurs: receptors located on the skin send a large number of electrical impulses to the brain, stimulating it and exerting an antidepressant effect.
• Unlike hot water, cold makes hair smoother, shinier and healthier looking. It protects them from breakage, protecting them from moisture loss. The beneficial effect of extremely low temperatures on the skin has been known since ancient times and is actively used in cosmetology. Cold tightens pores, gives the skin a healthy color, tones it.
• Using a cold shower after an intense workout with a load on muscles lactic acid is excreted from them, which causes discomfort called krepatura. In addition, tissue swelling is reduced, and muscle contraction, which occurs directly during dousing, significantly improves lymph flow.
• Compliance with the regimen of daily cold douche remarkably educates willpower required in all areas of our lives. It has been proven that her training is like training a muscle.
• A daily cold shower will provide you with a charge of vivacity and excellent health for the whole day.

Did you know? In a normal state, an adult person releases enough heat in one day to bring 33 liters of zero-temperature water to the boiling point.

How to start dousing with cold water

It is quite difficult to decide to douse yourself with cold water, especially if you have never done it before - a person cannot decide in any way and postpones the procedure.

Important! Since dousing with cold water is noticeably invigorating, it is best to do this in morning time when the charge of vivacity is more than appropriate. In the evening, excessive tone is unnecessary, but it is quite appropriate to immerse in cool water legs. This procedure will relieve fatigue, relax, calm the nerves.

Important! It is important to take care that the water drains quickly and that the feet do not remain immersed in it in order to avoid hypothermia.

Beneficial features

If you understand exactly how dousing affects the body, then the following processes occur: the skin, with the help of receptors located on it, perceives cold temperature, they instantly transmit information to the brain. Taking care of the proper supply of oxygen to the organs, the brain initiates a narrowing of the peripheral blood vessels, which causes an outflow of blood from the skin, while being intensively supplied with blood internal organs. Thus amplify metabolic processes, and the body gets a shake-up.

For men

Cold dousing has a positive effect on the production male hormone– testosterone, which inevitably affects both libido and muscle mass. In addition, cold dousing improves the quality of the seed material and improves the ability to conceive healthy offspring.

Nature provides that the male gonads are not located in the body cavity, and they require a temperature below that maintained throughout the body. In the same time, modern research studies carried out in various countries, and not related to each other, have proved that it is the exposure to cold water that improves both libido and sperm quality.

Did you know? In the 19th century, some doctors prescribed cold baths to reduce libido, "burning carnal desires." It was a deeply flawed practice that had the exact opposite effect.

For weight loss

For warming due to exposure to cold water, the body needs to produce enough heat for this. This process is quite energy intensive, and the body uses its existing reserves, previously set aside "for a rainy day." It's notorious body fat on beautiful female figures. At the same time, the so-called "brown fat" is produced, which, unlike stored fat reserves, helps to produce energy and improves metabolic processes in the body.

What does pouring cold water on your feet do?

A relaxing procedure for pouring feet is worth a special mention. Unlike the morning douche, which charges a person for the whole day with vigor and efficiency, the evening dousing of the legs to the knee relaxes the muscles, allows you to tone the blood vessels, fighting daytime fatigue, and contributing to better sleep.

In addition, as a result of such an impact, the whole organism is hardened no worse than when poured over as a whole, in any case, its resistance to diseases is enhanced, and it is strengthened to a large extent.

Did you know?About 10% of people have an unusual foot structure, in which the second toe is longer than the first. This feature is called "Morton's finger". By the way, the Statue of Liberty has just such a foot.

You can pour your feet:

• using the shower for a few seconds;
• substituting legs alternately under a stream of cold water from the tap;
• water your feet from a ladle or bucket with cold water;
• by immersing your feet in a container of cold water.

The effect of pouring cold water on the brain: benefits and harms

Cold dousing affects the body through the nervous system. From the science of embryology it is known that the skin is related nervous system and brain tissue, since they develop from the same germ layer. Being the outer shell of a person, it protects him from external influence, and is a certain way of communication of the organism with the environment. Feeling the impact of any, even the most insignificant stimulus, it instantly transmits information to the brain, which, with lightning speed, against the will, and sometimes even the consciousness of a person, reacts properly, giving the appropriate commands to the right departments and parts of the body.

Cold water falling on a large area of ​​the skin in a small unit of time irritates the skin receptors quite strongly, and each of them sends an electrical impulse to the brain: cold, you need heat! Small in size, but not in importance, the hypothalamus - the "conductor" of the processes occurring in the body, immediately gives commands to all systems: cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, metabolism, and so on. The hypothalamus “manages” emotions, the change of sleep and wakefulness, appetite and thirst, an increase and decrease in body temperature, and its stimulation through irritation of skin receptors makes it work at full strength, removing it from a half-asleep morning state.

In response to stress, the adrenal glands secrete stress and energy hormones - glucocorticoids, and adrenaline is released even earlier. These own hormones large quantities and on a regular basis can cause significant harm to the body, as they stimulate rapid energy production. As a result, there huge pressure on the vessels, and their frequent stimulation leads to damage.

It also reduces the function of the adrenal glands that produce glucocorticoids (antagonists of the immune system), which should be especially taken into account for people with oncological, autoimmune, vascular and acute respiratory diseases.

It should be remembered that exposure to cold temperatures is stress, and stress, stimulating the functions of the body here and now, gradually depletes them in the future, so moderation is a virtue that adherents of cold dousing should be guided by.

Douche rules

In order for dousing not to affect you in a negative way, it is advisable to follow some rules:

• before performing the procedure, warm up, for example, perform a warm-up and gymnastic exercises;
• in the cold season on the street you should not pour yourself for longer than 10 seconds, in your own bathroom this can be done up to 1-2 minutes;
• you should start pouring yourself with 30-degree water, gradually lowering the temperature, and bringing it to 15-10 degrees;
• you should not pour yourself before going to bed, this can provoke excessive vigor and insomnia;
• if you decide to douse yourself with your head, in no case should you keep it under a cold shower: only instantly, and only from a bucket;
• you should rely on logic and common sense, and do not start right away with radical ways and gradually accustom your body to stress;
• start better at warm time of the year;
• if you douse yourself in a room, the temperature in it should be 20 degrees, and take care in advance that there are no drafts;
• after showering, dry yourself, put on dry clothes and keep warm: freezing should not be allowed;
• do not forget to set yourself up in a positive way before the procedure: you need to do it only with a good attitude, and in no case with fear of getting sick or doing something wrong - dousing should be a pleasure.

How to temper children

If you start to harden a child only after a year, you can harm him and, at least, it’s great to scare him by dousing him with a cold stream. Hardening should not be a separate procedure to strengthen the body, it should become a way of life into which cold pouring organically fits.

When bathing a baby from birth, make it a habit to douse him at the end of a bucket or ladle with water a degree or two less than the one from which he came out. Gradually lower the temperature of the water for douching, but remember that in the bath the water should not be warm and comfortable, it should stimulate the baby to active movement to warm up, not to relax in a comfortable warm bath.

Important! Tempering procedures should bring pleasure, and not frighten and cause tension. Before exposing the child to the stress of low temperatures, make sure that he gets used to them and likes them.

Contraindications and warnings

Cold douches are not indicated for everyone, there are categories of patients who should not expose their body to such a stressful effect. Strict contraindication to this practice are:

• renal pathologies;
• tumors, including malignant;
• autoimmune diseases;
• tuberculosis;
• rheumatism and gout;
• heart diseases;
• available acute and chronic inflammatory processes;
• thrombophlebitis.

Although the adherents traditional medicine and adherents of cold dousing recommend practicing it in any state, you should still listen to common sense and not douse yourself:

• when any chronic illness, because from a stressful shake-up, its symptoms can increase many times over;
• if the skin is damaged due to any disease or mechanical impact;
• with SARS and influenza, additional hypothermia will be extremely dangerous, which will deal a significant blow to the immune system;
• people suffering from a violation of eye pressure should not be exposed to contrast temperature exposure, as it can lead to retinal detachment;
• it is advisable to refrain from dousing people who suffer from high or low blood pressure;
• women during menstruation should not start dousing procedures, since the cold can provoke inflammatory processes at this vulnerable time;
• before starting the procedure, make sure that you have everything you need to prevent hypothermia, which can harm you instead of the expected benefit;
• remember moderation and do not get carried away by extreme techniques that have enough shortcomings.

It is pleasant for everyone to be healthy, and it is commendable when a person undertakes it with enthusiasm. However, excessive zeal will not be useful in such difficult question as a stimulation of immune and hormonal processes, therefore, you should carefully study the information, and it is highly advisable to consult with your doctor before starting the procedures.