If you sleep with an open window even in winter, wash your face with cool water and like long walks in the fresh air – congratulations, you are an adept of hardening. On the eve of the traditional bathing in the hole in honor of Epiphany, Vogue.ua talks about the benefits of hardening and how to approach this process wisely.
The approach to hardening, as in the case of any manifestation of health care, should be systematic, gradual and well planned. Hardening is quite a serious “entertainment”, the purpose of which is to increase the body’s resistance to low air temperatures and sudden changes in climate.
Types of hardening are divided according to the elements: water, air and fire, respectively. In this way, everyone can temper themselves, following their preferences – from sunbathing and morning jogging to cold water douses. It is obvious that we go through hardening with solar heat in the summer, and we meet with piercing fresh air during airings. As for dousing, a contrast shower and diving into an ice hole, frost runs through the skin before the thought arises that you can start with rubdowns. How to move from rubdowns to a cold shower and what is the use of hardening?
A shower is considered cold if the water temperature is below 21°C. Considering that dousing with cold water should be regular, and the temperature of the water should be reduced gradually, hardening with water is a full-fledged teaching, which in our time is called hydrotherapy. As a result of this procedure, the body becomes more resistant to stress, and overall well-being improves.
The scientifically proven benefits of hardening include boosting endorphins, boosting metabolism, improving circulation, and preventing flu and colds. There are studies confirming that cold showers contribute to the body’s resistance to certain types of cancer.
Although hardening can be easily mistaken for a magic pill for everything, regularity and rationality must be observed on the way to it. Reduce the water temperature gradually, increase the time spent under cold jets, taking into account your well-being. You should start with ten seconds of being under cool water at the end of your usual showering process. You can increase the duration and reduce the temperature when the previous results have become the norm. In this matter, the main thing is not to rush, observing the reactions of the body and the general condition of the body.
While the habit of taking cold showers is beneficial for most people, it takes a lot of work to master it. Cold showers can be a complement to traditional therapies, but not a replacement. In addition, it is better not to forget about your individual characteristics, looking at which, you can find that there is no better hardening than a window open at night.
