Epiphany bathing: ritual, entertainment or danger?

Epiphany bathing is the oldest tradition of the Russian people, although, according to some sources, it is not Orthodox, contrary to universal beliefs. This custom was born in 988 at the baptism of Rus. Then the immersion in the sacred waters of the river became the meaning of purification from sins. Although in fact, according to all the priests, the baptismal bath does not cleanse anyone from sins, and in general is not a Christian custom. Dipping into an ice hole or not dipping is a private matter for everyone. Christianity calls to attend a service, put a candle in the temple and collect consecrated water.

The opinion of doctors on this score also varies from positive to strictly negative. Rational grain in this tradition is as follows. To bath in icy water on a frosty day, you should prepare yourself beforehand: praying is not necessary daily, but it would be useful to temper. Hard-core "walruses" recommend starting swimming in open reservoirs from October, when the water temperature is about 15 ° C. The time of stay in the water should also be increased gradually: starting from a few seconds to plunge, and ending with swimmers at 50-100 meters. If you do not have the opportunity to dip in open water, sweat at home with cold water, gradually reducing its temperature. It is also useful in winter to wipe the snow on the street.

• It should be borne in mind that before starting all these procedures, you MUST consult a doctor and it is advisable to undergo a series of examinations, since there are a lot of contraindications: heart and vascular disease, diabetes, oncological diseases, immunity disorders, chronic inflammatory processes in the body, gynecological and psychiatric ailments And many others. Diving into cold water for people with the abovementioned diseases is fraught with serious complications, up to a heart attack, a stroke and even a sudden stop of breathing, which will lead to a fatal outcome.
• Epiphany bathing is contraindicated even if there are even the slightest signs of a cold at the moment. Otherwise, you risk being in hospital with serious pneumonia. Yes, yes, the fact that people swimming in the ice-hole on Epiphany holidays do not get sick - a myth!
• Bathing in icy water and alcohol are incompatible. Neither before nor after, in any quantities. This is due to the fact that cold water - and so a serious stress for the body, and alcohol will increase the burden on the heart and blood vessels. If you really need to drink for courage, it's better to give up bathing.
• It is not necessary, having seen enough of the "exploits" of friends, from the first time to dive into the ice-hole from the take-off and with the head, and then, climbing out, flaunting, walking alone in swimming trunks and barefoot in the snow, otherwise Baptism again will end for you with pneumonia. It is sensible to plunge on the throat for a few seconds, after having made an active warm-up, and getting out, first of all, wipe the body dry, rubbing it to red, put on a warm terry robe and be sure to wear shoes. Then drink hot tea, better herbal, and try to stay in motion all the time - do not stand in one place.
• Bathing children in the ice-hole on Epiphany is also a topic for a separate, very serious conversation. Here the opinions are even more radically different. So, pediatricians express The opinion of all the official Western medicine, which says: it is recommended not to begin "walrus" before 15-16 years, when the body is already strong. Given that children have undeveloped immunity, and small and completely imperfect thermoregulation system, they are simply counter-indicative of dipping into ice water.
• However, the experience of many families and organizations shows that a reasonable approach to hardening allows you to dive into the hole and children 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 - though 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 maintained for centuries.

The benefits of bathing in icy water are debated for a long time, but, nevertheless, no one can refute this obvious fact. So, be healthy and bathe in health!