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The whole truth about winter swimming: is swimming in ice water good or bad? The temperature of the water in the hole. Winter swimming is practiced only in Russia

The whole truth about winter swimming: is swimming in ice water good or bad? The temperature of the water in the hole. Winter swimming is practiced only in Russia

Russian folk tradition - to swim in the hole in Epiphany, January 19, attracts more and more more people. This year, 19 ice-holes called “baptismal font” or “Jordan” were organized in St. Petersburg. The ice holes were well equipped with wooden bridges, lifeguards were on duty everywhere. And it is interesting that, as a rule, bathing people told reporters that they were very happy, the water was warm. I myself did not swim in winter, but I know that the water in the Neva was indeed + 4 + 5 ° C, according to measurements, which is much warmer than the air temperature - 8 ° C.

The fact that the water temperature under the ice at a depth in lakes and rivers above zero by 4 degrees is known to many, but, as discussions in some forums show, not everyone understands the reason for this phenomenon. Sometimes the increase in temperature is associated with the pressure of a thick layer of ice over water and a change in the freezing point of water in connection with this. But most people who successfully studied physics at school will confidently say that the temperature of water at depth is associated with a well-known physical phenomenon - a change in the density of water with temperature. At a temperature of +4°C, fresh water acquires its highest density.

At temperatures around 0°C, water becomes less dense and lighter. Therefore, when the water in the reservoir is cooled to +4 ° C, the convection mixing of water stops, its further cooling occurs only due to thermal conductivity (and it is not very high in water) and the processes of water cooling slow down sharply. Even in severe frosts, in a deep river under a thick layer of ice and a layer of cold water, there will always be water with a temperature of +4 °C. Only small ponds and lakes freeze to the bottom.

We decided to figure out why water behaves so strangely when cooled. It turned out that an exhaustive explanation of this phenomenon has not yet been found. The existing hypotheses have not yet found experimental confirmation. It must be said that water is not the only substance that has the property of expanding when cooled. Similar behavior is also characteristic of bismuth, gallium, silicon, and antimony. However, it is water that is of the greatest interest, since it is a substance that is very important for human life and the entire flora and fauna.

One of the theories is the existence of two types of high and low density nanostructures in water, which change with temperature and generate an anomalous change in density. Scientists studying the processes of supercooling of melts put forward the following explanation. When the liquid is cooled below the melting point, the internal energy of the system decreases, and the mobility of the molecules decreases. At the same time, the role of intermolecular bonds is enhanced, due to which various supramolecular particles can be formed. Scientists' experiments with supercooled liquid o_terphenyl suggested that a dynamic "network" of more densely packed molecules could form in a supercooled liquid over time. This grid is divided into cells (regions). Molecular repacking inside the cell determines the rate of rotation of the molecules in it, and a slower restructuring of the network itself leads to a change in this rate with time. Something similar can happen in water.

In 2009, the Japanese physicist Masakazu Matsumoto, using computer simulations, put forward his theory of changes in the density of water and published it in the journal Physical Review letters(Why Does Water Expand When It Cools?) As you know, in liquid form, water molecules are combined into groups (H 2 O) through hydrogen bonding. x, Where x is the number of molecules. The most energetically favorable combination of five water molecules ( x= 5) with four hydrogen bonds, in which the bonds form a tetrahedral angle equal to 109.47 degrees.

However, thermal vibrations of water molecules and interactions with other molecules not included in the cluster prevent such a union, deviating the value of the hydrogen bond angle from the equilibrium value of 109.47 degrees. In order to somehow quantitatively characterize this process of angular deformation, Matsumoto and colleagues put forward a hypothesis about the existence of three-dimensional microstructures in water, resembling convex hollow polyhedra. Later, in subsequent publications, they called such microstructures vitrites. In them, the vertices are water molecules, the role of the edges is played by hydrogen bonds, and the angle between hydrogen bonds is the angle between the edges in vitrite.

According to Matsumoto's theory, there is a huge variety of forms of vitrites, which, like mosaic elements, make up a large part of the structure of water and which at the same time evenly fill its entire volume.

The figure shows six typical vitrites that form the internal structure of water. The balls correspond to water molecules, the segments between the balls represent hydrogen bonds. Rice. from an article by Masakazu Matsumoto, Akinori Baba, and Iwao Ohminea.

Water molecules tend to create tetrahedral angles in vitrites, since vitrites should have the lowest possible energy. However, due to thermal motions and local interactions with other vitrites, some vitrites take on structurally non-equilibrium configurations that allow the entire system to obtain the lowest possible energy value. These were called frustrated. If unfrustrated vitrites have the maximum cavity volume at a given temperature, then frustrated vitrites, on the contrary, have the minimum possible volume. Computer simulations by Matsumoto showed that the average volume of vitrite cavities decreases linearly with increasing temperature. At the same time, frustrated vitrites significantly reduce their volume, while the volume of the cavity of non-frustrated vitrites almost does not change.

So, the compression of water with increasing temperature, according to scientists, is caused by two competing effects - the elongation of hydrogen bonds, which leads to an increase in the volume of water, and a decrease in the volume of the cavities of frustrated vitrites. In the temperature range from 0 to 4°C, the latter phenomenon, as shown by calculations, prevails, which ultimately leads to the observed compression of water with increasing temperature.

This explanation is based so far only on computer simulations. Experimentally it is very difficult to confirm. Research into the interesting and unusual properties of water continues.

Sources

O.V. Alexandrova, M.V. Marchenkova, E.A. Pokintelits "Analysis of thermal effects characterizing the crystallization of supercooled melts" (Donbass National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture)

Yu. Erin. A new theory has been proposed to explain why water contracts when heated from 0 to 4°C (

On January 19, 2017, the entire Orthodox world will celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, which is one of the 12 main holidays in Orthodoxy. Jesus himself understood the Sacrament of Baptism in this way: there is a passage in Holy Scripture when Christ tells the rabbi that until a person is born from water, he will never enter the Kingdom of God. And as it is said in the Bible, it was at the moment of the baptism of God's Son that people first saw the Holy Trinity. Before we talk about the date of Epiphany 2017, let's plunge into the history of this big Orthodox holiday.

History and traditions

As you know, Jesus Christ was baptized only at the age of thirty, at that time it was a normal phenomenon, The Sacrament of Baptism was passed only by adults who were aware of all obligations to God. At that time, babies were not baptized, but they prepared for the Sacrament itself for a long time, up to 2 years. At the time of Christ, this holiday had a different name - the feast of the Jordan, since all people were baptized in the waters of the Jordan River.

It is known that Jesus came to the banks of the river, where John the Baptist baptized everyone. At first, the Baptist refused Christ, saying that he should be baptized by the Son of God, but Jesus replied that it was so destined from above. After Christ emerged from the waters of the Jordan, the Spirit of God descended from heaven in the form of a snow-white dove. And from that moment on, all people knew that Jesus is the Son of God. The Savior was initiated into the Sacrament of Baptism in order to take upon himself the sins of the whole world, and bear the guilt for them on the cross, so ordinary people will have the opportunity to be saved from doomsday.

Why people are baptized, many do not know this. As Jesus said, only by tasting my body and drinking my blood will you know the Kingdom of God, i.e. he meant communion. And it is precisely in order to participate in the Sacrament of Communion that a Christian must undergo the rite of Baptism.

What date will the entire Christian world celebrate the Baptism of the Lord in 2017? Epiphany 2017 on what date do Catholics celebrate it? The Catholic Church celebrates this holiday on January 06, and the Orthodox - on January 19.

What are the traditions of this holiday? On the 18th, all believers observe a strict fast throughout the day, and late in the evening on the eve of January 19, they celebrate the so-called “hungry kutya”, which is similar to Christmas Eve.

On this date, it is customary to gather at the family table and try meatless dishes, for example, kutya with rice, oatmeal jelly, fried fish, lean pancakes. Traditionally, on a holiday, of course, kutya is served. Honey, nuts, seeds, jam and raisins can be added to dishes. If on January 18 only fast food is allowed, then on January 19 you can already eat meat.

On the feast of the Epiphany itself, a service is held, congratulations on the Baptism of the Lord are heard in the church. On January 19, at Epiphany, it is customary to release a pair of white doves, which symbolizes the Spirit of God.

Outside the window is winter, Epiphany frosts.
I would like to wish from the bottom of my heart
So that only from happiness there are tears,
Adversity and sorrow do not meet.

Let there be bright and kind thoughts,
Closer to the Lord, to become a soul.
On this day, holy and pure,
You bathe in holy water!

I want to wish you in Baptism,
Purify with holy water.
Receive forgiveness from the Lord
And be pure in body and soul!

God's holiday has come
And let the January frosts crackle,
Baptism is joy for the soul,
Let the pain disappear, let the tears disappear!

Everything will be fine, God told us!
Just don't lose your faith
Start a new day with prayer
And do good deeds!

I wish you blessings
On the feast of God's Baptism,
More energy and strength
May you always be happy!

Didn't get bored, didn't worry
Progressed towards his goal
And baptismal water
To always help!

Congratulations on the Baptism of the Lord,
I wish you the joys of life in everything
So that everything is created only with love,
And I didn’t think about the bad,

By faith in God we save ourselves,
From problems and worries,
He surrounds us with his eyes,
That the soul sings like a bird!

The holiday has come
It's called baptism
From him the soul sings
And my heart beats faster!

Let the soul become pure
Bad weather will go away
Plunge quickly into the Font,
And there will be happiness in life!

Take a dip in the cold water
Harden your body
Do not stay without prayer
The way of the Lord is inscrutable,

And I want to wish you health
It is the main thing - the basis for everything,
To live on earth with love,
And the main thing is to always be good!

On the feast of Epiphany,
Let the soul be cleansed
After all, the essence of it, of course,
Holy and pure

Trouble will recede
Evil sadness will disappear
And illuminated with happiness
Your path will be in life

Just don't lose faith
We don't live in vain
Fulfill your dreams
And everything will be great!

The holiday has come - Epiphany!
And I want to wish you
Good luck and a little luck
And in life troubles so as not to know!

And despite all the cold
God will give us warmth
Make any dream come true
And secret dream!

Outside the window, Epiphany frosts,
With all my heart I want to tell you
So that tears do not appear in the eyes,
Well, what more could you want today.

Health to be strong
Let luck accompany you.
Let the strength never leave
The lucky star is always on!

May Epiphany frosts
You will be cleansed from sins!
Take away all troubles
And the hour of glory will approach!

At the Baptism of the Lord
I want to wish soon
Live in joy, without grief,
And no hard days!

Good luck at work
Attention of friends
And there was more
Only good ideas!

All Orthodox Christians
Today in churches and temples they are in a hurry,
And in the festive and early morning,
Rather, they want to light a candle,

Because the Baptism of the Lord
This is a big and holy holiday,
May he bestow happiness with love,
May good be with you!

Great Orthodox holiday
The baptism of the Lord is coming
Before him, each of us is equal,
And he will bring happiness to everyone around!

The day the Lord was baptized
I want to wish you
So that in your destiny all days are good,
So that you live your life without sins!

To be pure in soul
You plunge into the Kupel!
And then God will be with you
But pray for it!

And on the bright day of Epiphany,
I want to wish
Be in a good mood
And troubles do not know at all!

Epiphany water

Many believers believe that baptismal water has healing powers. And it is still inexplicable that the water collected on the feast of Epiphany does not deteriorate all year. So for Epiphany in 2017, what date do you need to collect Epiphany water. Usually this is done on January 19, and such water is classified as Holy water.

Many scientists have repeatedly tried to study Epiphany water, and have come to the conclusion that the molecules of ordinary water and water collected from any source on the holiday of January 19 are completely different. Japanese researchers believe that water is able to remember the emotions and feelings of people, it, like a magnet, attracts everything positive and negative, reacts to speech and music.

And it is on the feast of Epiphany that the water in all sources is completely cleared of any information, and becomes crystal clear.

Swimming in the hole

When do they swim in the hole for Epiphany 2017? Usually the beginning of bathing takes place on January 18, on the eve of the feast of the Epiphany itself, and ends on the 20th.

According to the old tradition, on the feast of the Epiphany, an ice hole in the form of a cross is cut down in the river, and an ice cross is also installed nearby. Before mass bathing, the clergyman overshadows the hole with a prayer and a cross.

It is necessary to dive into the water with your head, before that you need to cross yourself and read a prayer. Believers are immersed three times, which symbolizes the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and the exit of the bathers from the water joins them to the Resurrection of Christ. However, many clergy say that swimming in the hole is not an obligatory ceremony on the feast of January 19, the main thing is to be a believer, go to church regularly, confess and take communion.

You need to understand that without confession and communion, swimming in the hole will not atone for the sins of a person.

Now very often Orthodox people plunge into the hole, but it is worth remembering that if a person has health problems, it is better not to do this. Plunging into icy water, the human body experiences severe stress, blood vessels constrict sharply, the heart begins to beat faster. Therefore, it is better for hypertensive patients and other people with diseases of the cardiovascular system to beware of Epiphany bathing. Recently, in places of mass bathing, an ambulance is always on duty, whose employees will instantly provide first aid in case of illness.

Special rituals

How to spend the Baptism of the Lord in 2017? I must say that this is a special holiday, you must definitely christen your children with a cross, and many people also go through the Sacrament of Baptism. There is a belief that if you are baptized on this day, you will be happy for the rest of your life.

Also on this day, it is customary to sprinkle all the corners in the house with baptismal water, thus a person exorcises evil spirits from his home. Some people draw crosses with chalk on the doors of rooms, which should also protect the home from evil and evil spirits.

There is a belief that if someone from relatives or acquaintances could not draw holy water into their house, then this person must be given plenty of water to drink with their baptismal water, so you give hope for recovery from all diseases and atonement for sins.

Throughout the year, it is better to drink water in the morning on an empty stomach in small portions, before reading a prayer.

There are also several signs on this holiday:

firstly, January 19 - Epiphany in 2017 - the best day to plan a future wedding, even if the wedding date is scheduled for the summer, it is better to choose a date in advance;
earlier, unmarried girls on the eve of Epiphany went out into the street to call their husband, if a young man came out first, then happiness and good luck would be all year long, if an old man met, then trouble would await;
also on this day, young people learned the name of their betrothed, the girl was asked the name of the groom, and the young man - the bride;
Everyone knows that in the old days on Epiphany Christmas Eve, unmarried girls threw a shoe. They went out into the street, took off their shoes from their left feet and threw them in front of them. Where we point the toe of the shoe, from there her fate will come to take her with her, but if the toe pointed in the direction of her home, it means to walk the rest of her life in girls.

Now you are a little familiar with the customs and traditions of this big holiday, you know when the baptism is, and you can congratulate on this big event - on January 19, 2017, all Orthodox will celebrate the holiday. However, it is worth remembering that it is not necessary to adhere strictly, the main thing is to honor God, regularly go to services, confess and take communion. Congratulate relatives and friends on the holiday, send them postcards with the Epiphany of the Lord on January 19, wish them all the best in verse. Any wish must come sincerely and from a pure heart.

What date is the Baptism of the Lord in 2017? This very important day for believers is celebrated in our country on January 19 every year. This holiday commemorates the event in which Jesus Christ sanctified the water with his baptism, and also showed that He is both a man and God. Distinctive feature this winter day - water blessing, in all churches, as well as in some open reservoirs, a great blessing of water is performed. In addition to the fact that everyone on the day of Epiphany seeks to bring a vessel with Holy water from the church, another tradition of this holiday is swimming in an ice hole, and there are also special signs for Epiphany.

After a merry week and a half from Christmas, with fortune-telling and dressing up in mummers, people would like to wash these sins off themselves, and some dare to dive into the hole, despite the frosty days. In addition, Epiphany water has healing powers, and swimming in the consecrated hole promises good health for the whole year. Water tends to remember information, therefore, having absorbed the special prayer of the clergyman read over it, it receives powerful positive energy, which helps to heal diseases of the spirit and body. When there is Epiphany in 2017, try to use all its unusual properties.

Background of the holiday

One elderly couple, after many years of constant prayers for the gift of children, had a son. His father, a priest, had a vision that the newborn should be called John, he would grow up righteous, and it was he who was destined for fate, to show the people of the Lord. And so it happened. While still quite young, John went into the desert and led there practically a monastic life. I fasted and prayed a lot. At the age of thirty, he received an order from the Lord to go to the Jordan River and tell people that the Savior would soon appear, and they needed to prepare for this meeting by repentance, and then by baptism.

John went to the Jordanian country. There, on the bank of the river, where a lot of people gathered for religious rites, he turned to people with sermons. John talked about the need for moral cleansing through repentance, about baptism, and about the approach of the Kingdom of Heaven. The people had been waiting for a prophet for a long time, so they willingly listened to John, many believed him and repented of their sins. After which he baptized them in the Jordan. John told people about how they should act in order to correct themselves. Someone even took him for the Savior, but he explained that he only helps people prepare for a meeting with Christ.

But then one day Jesus appeared on the banks of the Jordan. He came from Nazareth to be baptized by John like everyone else. Seeing Jesus, John was embarrassed, he could not even think that he would have to baptize Him too. However, Jesus assured them that it was necessary to do this in order to show people an example of humility. And during the baptism, the sky opened up, a dove appeared - the Spirit of God. And the voice of God the Father sounded from heaven. And John understood that he really baptized the Savior of the World. And since the Holy Trinity appeared to the world on this day, the holiday is also called Theophany.

When and how can you swim at Epiphany

On the day of the Epiphany of the Lord 2017, when the festive service ends, processions will be made to the reservoirs, in which the hole is usually prepared in advance, i.e. ice is cut in the form of a cross. The priest reads prayers with the immersion of the cross in water. And after this small prayer, those who wish can plunge into the water. In some churches, ponds are also consecrated after the evening service on Epiphany Christmas Eve. Therefore, you can swim in the hole at any time of the day on January 19, even at night. The main thing is that it has already been consecrated.

The tradition of diving into the water applies only to those reservoirs that have been consecrated. To plunge into unconsecrated rivers, lakes, ponds - it will be something similar to winter swimming, but not Epiphany swimming.

No one forbids swimming in bathing suits, but, nevertheless, believers often prefer special shirts similar to those worn at baptism. This type is more in line with religious rites.

Immediately before plunging into the hole, you need to cross yourself, read a short prayer and plunge headlong into the water three times. Given the ice water, you should not be in it for more than 10 seconds. It is necessary to enter the water confidently, so as not to have time to freeze, but not abruptly, so as not to take your breath away. You can rinse your face before dipping, as a preparation, and then dive completely.

Swimming in the winter in open water is a big burden on the body. And even a person with good health needs preparation if he is going to do it for the first time.

Ice water causes stress in the body. The body is forced to defend itself, and therefore there is a release of hormones that suppress any inflammatory reactions, reducing sensitivity to the aggressive effects of cold. A person has a feeling that "everything is fine", you can not worry about anything. However, after a couple of days, the level of hormones drops sharply, the body becomes weak and runs the risk of catching the first infection that comes across.

Therefore, in order to smooth out the temperature difference, just before dipping, it is recommended to warm the body with a short run or exercise, for example, a series of squats. And after swimming, you need to warm yourself with a hot drink.

Those who are preparing for Epiphany bathing for the first time should remember that some diseases can cause severe, even critical, complications after such a procedure. It's not worth the risk, it's better to consult a doctor.

If the doctor's permission is obtained, you can gradually prepare the body for the effects of frost. To do this, a week before Epiphany, start going outside, on the balcony, in a T-shirt and short shorts. First, stand for a few seconds, then half a minute, the rest of the days for a minute. On the fourth day, include in the preparation pouring cold water, starting with one bucket, and on the last two days - two buckets each.

Nutrition plays an important role in preparation. Do not use during this period products that stimulate the immune system, i.e. containing vitamin C. Otherwise, after immersion in ice water, the effect of hyperstimulation of the immune system may occur, which is very harmful. And about two hours before swimming, you need to eat properly so that the body has something to extract energy from for heating. Drinking alcohol before swimming is dangerous.

To feel comfortable after bathing, it is necessary to foresee comfortable clothes in advance. Everything should be easy to dress and fasten, as this will have to be done with poorly bent frozen fingers. Once out of the water, immediately put on a hat.

Beginners of winter swimming should not plunge if the frost is below -10 degrees, and also come to the ice-hole alone. A friend or relative will not only help you get dressed, but may also provide other unforeseen assistance.

January nineteenth The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the twelfth (one of the twelve most important) holidays - Epiphany or Epiphany.

Meaning of the Feast of Epiphany

Epiphany- this is one of the oldest Christian holidays (along with Easter and Pentecost), dedicated to events related to the Nativity of Christ and subsequent life events Jesus Christ.

In later times, in Orthodoxy, the feast of the Epiphany was combined in meaning with Baptism of the Lord, having lost the original connection with the Christmas events. In modern Orthodoxy, Epiphany and Baptism are the names of the same holiday. The plot of the holiday Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River with the help of a prophet John the Baptist.

Epiphany- this is the appearance of God during Baptism in the fullness of the Trinity (God the son was baptized, God the father spoke to him from heaven, God the holy spirit descended in the form of a dove).

Epiphany holes

Literally, Baptism in Greek means immersion in water. In memory of the Baptism of Jesus - baptism is the first and most important Christian sacrament that introduces a person to the church.

On Epiphany Christmas Eve - on the evening of January 18 - the consecration of water in churches is held. January 19 - on the feast of Epiphany itself - the blessing of water is carried out on open water bodies - rivers, lakes, ponds, etc.

Believers believe that Epiphany night all earthly waters become holy, divine. Epiphany water is considered healing, Christians also believe that dipping into a consecrated hole washes away sins committed over the previous year from a person. In churches, consecrated water can be collected until January 27, and believers try to stock up on holy water for the whole next year, until the next Epiphany.

When can I swim in the hole for Epiphany - 2017

Russian Orthodox Church blesses baptismal bathing from 20:00 on January 18 to 8:00 in the morning on January 20.

The rules of baptismal bathing

You can swim only in specially equipped ice holes near the shore, preferably under the supervision of employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations or the police and vigilantes.
You can not drink alcohol before diving into the hole and it is undesirable to do this after the ceremony.
People with cardiovascular, pulmonary and other diseases should be especially careful and it is advisable to consult with doctors before baptismal bathing. Remember, Epiphany bathing is optional, and the church does not bless bathing at the expense of health.
Before going to the Jordan (this is how the ice hole for Epiphany bathing, carved in the ice in the form of an Orthodox cross, has been called since ancient times), you should eat, and just before diving into the hole, you need to warm up by doing a little warm-up.
You need to approach the ice hole in comfortable, non-slip and easily removable shoes.
In no case should you dive, it is undesirable to plunge with your head in order to avoid hypothermia and a possible sharp narrowing of the vessels of the brain.
You can not stay in Jordan for more than a minute to avoid hypothermia.
After bathing, you need to immediately rub yourself and put on dry warm clothes.
Children should be closely monitored and not allowed to dive into the hole on their own. The participation of children in baptismal bathing is the responsibility of parents and, according to doctors, does not pose serious threats to the health of minors.

Where can you swim at Epiphany in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In Moscow, more than 60 fonts are equipped for Epiphany in different parts of the city, in St. Petersburg, the largest urban Jordan is traditionally arranged near the Ioannovsky ravelin of the Peter and Paul Fortress on the Neva. In total, about two dozen fonts will open in St. Petersburg in different parts of the city and in the nearest suburbs.

Read more about this in the article. Federal News Agency .

Epiphany rules and prohibitions

Among the people, Baptism was called Vodokreschi - this is the day of the folk calendar, also falling on January 19 (January 6, old style). On this day, Christmas time ended, the consecration of reservoirs took place, people swam in the hole and began to prepare for the winter wedding season.

From folk baptismal prohibitions, the following are known:

You can not quarrel and even argue, holding a vessel with holy water in your hands, otherwise it will lose its healing power.
You can’t be greedy and collect too much baptismal water in a church or in a pond.
Starting with Baptism, it is strictly forbidden to guess, and for those who participated in Christmas fortune-telling, it is advisable to plunge into the hole in order to wash away this sin.
Two days after Epiphany, you can’t wash at home; for open reservoirs, this ban is valid for two weeks. Generally at Epiphany, which is a great Christian holiday, all work, except for the most necessary, is prohibited.
If a bird knocks on the window at Epiphany, you need to pray for the dead relatives - it is believed that their souls are asking for help from the living.
There is a ban on feeding poultry on Epiphany in the villages, it is believed that if you feed the chickens on this day, then in the summer they will rake the beds and spoil the seedlings.

The Baptism of the Lord 2017 comes on the night of January 18-19. Epiphany is the sixth most important church holiday. This date is associated with the day of the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.

About when to bathe on Epiphany, on January 18 or 19, when to collect holy water, about the traditions of the holiday - in the article "Ten News".

When to swim for Epiphany 2017? According to tradition, on Epiphany they bathe in an ice-hole on the night of January 18-19. By the way, this year ice-holes for swimming will be organized in almost all cities. So, for example, in Moscow more than 100,000 people plan to take part in Epiphany bathing.

In the event that you fail to plunge into the hole on the night of January 18-19, do not worry. Swimming at Epiphany will be possible throughout January 19th.

Is it necessary to bathe at Epiphany?

Bathing at Epiphany in the hole is optional. Moreover, the church does not insist on baptismal bathing, the main thing for a believer on this day is the presence at the church service, confession and Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, communion of baptismal water.

In addition, bathing at Baptism does not cleanse a person from sins.

In order to be baptized, you must come to the temple, where the priest will perform the Sacrament of Baptism over you. Epiphany bathing is not enough to consider yourself baptized.

The Baptism of the Lord: when to draw water

On Epiphany Christmas Eve (January 18), after the Great Liturgy and on January 19, the Great Hagiasma is performed all day long, i.e. water lighting. These days you can collect baptismal water in any church. Illumination is carried out by one clergyman, so there is no difference between Epiphany and Epiphany water.

You can take water in the temple after the service, you can also bring your own water for consecration, but remember that it should be ordinary clean water, and not mineral and not carbonated.

You can also get baptismal water from the tap. It is best to do this in the time interval from 00:10. until 01:30 on the night of January 18th-19th. You can harvest water later, but this time is considered the best.

How to use holy water?

It is customary to use holy water with a prayer: “Lord my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities through Your boundless mercy through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints. Amen".

It is advisable to drink holy water on an empty stomach, however, in case of illness or some other problems, you can drink holy water at any time.

Can you add holy water to a bath tub?

You can drink holy water, you can sprinkle it, sprinkle the house, things, but it is not intended for bathing.

In the coming days, consecrated baptismal water can be easily taken in Orthodox churches. On January 18 and 19, of course, there will be many people interested. But in most temples, water is consecrated in excess and distributed to those who wish after the holiday.

Christians do not distinguish between Epiphany water either by the date of consecration (January 18 or 19), or by place (the Cathedral of Christ the Savior or a tiny chapel in a strict regime colony in the Kostroma region), or by the name of the priest ( His Holiness Patriarch Kirill or a young priest who came only from the seminary), nor by source (water or spring). The main thing is that this water should be consecrated by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in memory of the baptism of the Lord. The consecration of water is a church Christian event. It cannot take place outside the church.

The vast majority of our citizens have the opportunity to come to the temple, pray and take water. Therefore, it is obvious that simply water from rivers, lakes, springs or from the shower cannot in any way be considered holy baptismal water either on the eve of the feast of the Epiphany, or at midnight, or on the holiday itself.

How much water should be taken?

The desire of many to stock up on Epiphany water for the year ahead and drink it every day is quite understandable. There is a belief that this water will not bloom and will be just as pure and tasty for many months. For some, this is an additional reason to stock up.

And yet, there is no point in large reserves of consecrated water. Christians are sure that God is in no way connected and cannot be connected with the amount of water drunk. God does not charge water, does not saturate it with anything. He works through her Himself. This means that one sip or a few drops are enough if they are drunk with faith in Christ and the hope of help.

Some believers, on the basis that "a drop of holy water can bless the sea," simply "dilute" the holy water as it is used. And this seems to me wiser than multi-liter annual reserves. I know from experience that one and a half to two liters of consecrated water is a sufficient supply for a year for a whole family.

What is the meaning of the holiday?

It is clear that to trust the words of the evangelists or not is everyone's business. It is important to understand and acknowledge that for Christians, the feast of the Epiphany consists, first of all, in the remembrance and joyful experience of three mysteries that are very deeply connected with the very essence of Christianity as a religion. I have tried to explain these mysteries in the above articles. Here I will limit myself to enumeration. The events of the Baptism of the Lord reveal the Trinity of the Godhead: God Himself manifests Himself, as they say, in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We also learn about the God-manhood of Christ: the Father testifies that Jesus, the son of Mary, is also the Son of God. And finally, we learn about the mission of Jesus: He came to take the sin of the world on Himself in order to save people. It is important for us that Christians see in the baptism of Jesus evidence of the appearance of the One Who is not afraid to share with people not only the joy of life, but also the consequences of sin and even death itself.

What is holy water for?

For Christians, holy water is far from the main thing in life. They may have it in the house, they may not have it, they may drink it regularly, they may not drink it at all. And all this because they have the One in whom they believe, the One who is always and everywhere with them.

Winter swimming in open waters, called winter swimming in our country, is an officially recognized sport and one of the most extreme ways to harden the body. This method has a long history and adherents in many countries. International competitions in winter open water swimming are held annually, and every two years - the World Championship. Despite its huge popularity and proven health benefits, winter swimming is still surrounded by tenacious misconceptions. We will try to dispel the most common of them in this article.

Source: depositphotos.com

While swimming at the walrus, the temperature of the internal organs rises sharply

When immersed in cold water, the body loses heat, bathers do not experience any sensation of internal heat. From this, however, it does not follow that the “walrus” is cold to swim. On the contrary, during winter bathing, a person plunges into water, which is much warmer than frosty air (in the hole, the water has a temperature of 0 to +4 ° C). The procedure provokes the strongest release of adrenaline and glucose into the blood, helps to mobilize the hidden reserves of the body, but no overheating of the internal organs occurs.

Winter swimming is only possible

This is wrong. Winter swimming requires a cold reservoir, in a significant part of the territory of our country such conditions persist from autumn to spring, and even all year round - in places where there are underground sources with ice water or mountain rivers flowing from glaciers.

Winter swimming is available to everyone without training

A dangerous delusion that can lead to the saddest consequences. Firstly, winter swimming has a number of medical contraindications. Among them are chronic pathologies of the cardiovascular system and respiratory organs, gynecological problems, damage to the kidneys and urinary tract, severe hypertension, and some types of allergies. Secondly, even a relatively healthy person should not jump into the hole without preparation. The body must be accustomed to low temperatures gradually. It is usually recommended to start with dousing with cold water, immersing in a bath or indoor pool, and rubbing with snow. The first bathing in open water should not last more than a few seconds, with the obligatory subsequent transition to a warm room, rubbing the body and changing into dry clothes. With the right approach to hardening, bathing is carried out regularly, with a gradual increase in the duration of the procedures and strict control of well-being.

Winter swimming can cure a cold

Contrary to popular belief, walruses sometimes catch colds, although much less often than non-hardening people. However, immerse yourself in cold water if you feel unwell (with elevated temperature body or catarrhal phenomena) is unacceptable. Winter swimming is not a therapeutic procedure, it is only a method of prevention. colds and strengthening immunity.

Walruses get addicted to cold water

There is some truth in this statement: people who regularly go in for winter swimming get used to the procedures and feel some discomfort when they have to give up diving. This condition is very similar to the constant craving for dangerous activities in extreme athletes. Indeed, it turns out something like an addiction, but not from cold water, but from hormonal surges that occur during bathing. If a person ceases to control such sensations and begins to carry out procedures too often, he can harm his health.

Experienced walruses say that the best option is to bathe twice a week.

All walruses are overweight

But this is completely untrue. Winter swimming has a beneficial effect on metabolism and helps to normalize body weight. It has been proven that overweight walruses gradually lose weight as a result of regular exercise, while those who are too thin gain the missing weight.

Diving into an ice hole with your head is deadly

When immersed in cold water, a sharp vasospasm occurs, which can cause loss of consciousness. Therefore, diving with your head is really undesirable. Experienced "walruses", whose body is already accustomed to temperature changes, rarely do this, depending on the degree of hardening. It is better for a beginner to swim in a rubber cap and not lower his head into the water. For the same reason, it is not recommended to dive alone: there should be people nearby who can provide assistance in an emergency.

"Walruses" take alcohol before and after swimming

Drinking alcohol before diving is strictly prohibited. Its effect on the vessels can be combined with the effect of cold, and the consequences are unpredictable. In addition, a drunk person loses the ability to objectively assess the surrounding reality and begins to behave too self-confidently. Diving in this state is fraught with hypothermia of the body and even death.

As for drinking after bathing, people who are serious winter swimmers claim that alcohol does not help to warm up. Conversely, drinking any cold drinks after a dive can lead to hypothermia. But, after getting out of the water and changing clothes, it is useful to drink a glass of sweet warm tea to compensate for the energy spent by the body.

10 myths about hardening the body by winter swimming

Source: depositphotos.com

While swimming at the walrus, the temperature of the internal organs rises sharply

Winter swimming is only possible

Winter swimming is available to everyone without training

Winter swimming can cure a cold

Contrary to popular belief, walruses sometimes catch colds, although much less often than non-hardening people. However, immersion in cold water in case of malaise (with fever or catarrhal symptoms) is unacceptable. Winter swimming is not a therapeutic procedure, it is only a method of preventing colds and strengthening the immune system.

Walruses get addicted to cold water

Experienced walruses say that the best option is to bathe twice a week.

All walruses are overweight

Diving into an ice hole with your head is deadly

"Walruses" take alcohol before and after swimming

Source: depositphotos.com

Winter swimming develops muscles

The statement has nothing to do with reality. To build muscle mass and develop muscles, strength and movement exercises are necessary. Short-term immersion in cold water and winter swimming do not give loads of this kind.

Winter swimming is practiced only in Russia

Despite the fact that winter swimming has very long roots in our country, winter swimming is not an exclusively Russian invention. Clubs that unite supporters of this hardening method exist in most European countries (the most famous are in Finland, Belgium and Poland), the USA, Canada and China.

Winter swimming in open water is a great way to strengthen defensive forces body, activation of all systems and organs. With a competent approach, it helps to avoid many health problems, preserve youth, physical and mental activity, and interest in life for a long time.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

www.neboleem.net

why is the water in the hole warm?

Russian folk tradition - to swim in the hole in the Epiphany, January 19, attracts more and more people. This year, 19 ice-holes called “baptismal font” or “Jordan” were organized in St. Petersburg. The ice holes were well equipped with wooden bridges, lifeguards were on duty everywhere. And it is interesting that, as a rule, bathing people told reporters that they were very happy, the water was warm. I myself did not swim in winter, but I know that the water in the Neva was indeed, according to measurements, + 4 + 5 ° С, which is much warmer than the air temperature - 8 ° С.

We decided to figure out why water behaves so strangely when cooled. It turned out that an exhaustive explanation of this phenomenon has not yet been found. The existing hypotheses have not yet found experimental confirmation. I must say that water is not the only substance that has the ability to expand when cooled. Similar behavior is also characteristic of bismuth, gallium, silicon, and antimony. However, it is water that is of the greatest interest, since it is a substance that is very important for human life and the entire flora and fauna.

In 2009, Japanese physicist Masakazu Matsumoto put forward his theory of water density change using computer simulations and published it in the journal Physical Review Letters (Why Does Water Expand When It Cools?) (“Why does water expand when it cools?”). As is known, in liquid form, water molecules are combined into (h3O)x groups by means of a hydrogen bond, where x is the number of molecules. The most energetically favorable combination of five water molecules (x = 5) with four hydrogen bonds, in which the bonds form a tetrahedral angle equal to 109.47 degrees.

This explanation is based so far only on computer simulations. Experimentally it is very difficult to confirm. Research into the interesting and unusual properties of water continues.

Yu. Erin. A new theory has been proposed to explain why water contracts when heated from 0 to 4°C (elementy.ru)

temperatures.ru

The temperature of the water in the hole for baptism. When they bathe in the hole for baptism.

On January 19, 2017, the entire Orthodox world will celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, which is one of the 12 main holidays in Orthodoxy. Jesus himself understood the Sacrament of Baptism in this way: there is a passage in Holy Scripture when Christ tells the rabbi that until a person is born from water, he will never enter the Kingdom of God. And as it is said in the Bible, it was at the moment of the baptism of God's Son that people first saw the Holy Trinity. Before we talk about the date of Epiphany 2017, let's dive into the history of this great Orthodox holiday.

History and traditions

As you know, Jesus Christ was baptized only at the age of thirty, at that time it was a normal phenomenon, the Sacrament of Baptism was passed only by adults who were aware of all obligations to God. At that time, babies were not baptized, but they prepared for the Sacrament itself for a long time, up to 2 years. At the time of Christ, this holiday had a different name - the feast of the Jordan, since all people were baptized in the waters of the Jordan River.

It is known that Jesus came to the banks of the river, where John the Baptist baptized everyone. At first, the Baptist refused Christ, saying that he should be baptized by the Son of God, but Jesus replied that it was so destined from above. After Christ emerged from the waters of the Jordan, the Spirit of God descended from heaven in the form of a snow-white dove. And from that moment on, all people knew that Jesus is the Son of God. The Savior was initiated into the Sacrament of Baptism in order to take upon himself the sins of the whole world, and bear the guilt for them on the cross, so that ordinary people will have the opportunity to be saved from the Last Judgment.

On this date, it is customary to gather at the family table and try lean dishes, such as kutya with rice, oatmeal jelly, fried fish, and lean pancakes. Traditionally, on a holiday, of course, kutya is served. Honey, nuts, seeds, jam and raisins can be added to dishes. If on January 18 only fast food is allowed, then on January 19 you can already eat meat.

Outside the window, winter, Epiphany frosts. I would like to wish from my heart, So that only from happiness there are tears, Do not meet adversity and sadness.

Let your thoughts be bright and kind, Closer to the Lord, to become a soul. On this day, holy and pure, You bathe in holy water!

I want to wish you in Baptism, To be cleansed with holy water. To receive forgiveness from the Lord, And to be clean with your whole body and soul!

God's holiday has come, And let the January frosts crackle, Baptism is a joy for the soul, Let the pain disappear, the tears disappear!

Everything will be fine, God told us! Just don’t lose your faith, Start a new day with prayer, And do good deeds!

I wish you blessings, On the feast of God's Baptism, More vigor and strength, So that you are always happy!

I didn’t get bored, I didn’t worry, I advanced towards my goal, And Epiphany water, To always help!

I congratulate you on the Baptism of the Lord, I wish you the joys of life in everything, So that everything is created only with love, And you don’t think about the bad,

By faith in God we save ourselves, From problems and anxious worries, He surrounds us with his gaze, That the soul sings like a bird!

The holiday has come, It is called Baptism, The soul sings from it, And the heart beats faster!

Let the soul become pure, Bad weather will go away, Plunge quickly into the Font, And there will be happiness in life!

Take a dip in the icy water, Harden your body, Do not stay without prayer, The path of the Lord is inscrutable,

And I want to wish you health, It is the main thing - the basis for everything, To live on earth with love, And the main thing is that there is always kindness!

On the feast of Epiphany, Let the soul be cleansed, After all, its essence, of course, is Sacred and pure,

kinderik.ru

Swimming in the ice-hole is a long-standing tradition not only of the Slavic peoples. Hindu sages in their holy books (which were written 1800 years before our era) said that washing with cold water gives ten benefits! Freshness, clarity of mind, cheerfulness, health, beauty, strength, youth, purity, pleasant skin color and the attention of beautiful women.

Where did swimming in the ice hole come from with us, maybe the tradition originated from the time of the baptism of Rus'?

A bit of history

Swimming in an ice-hole is an ancient pagan rite of "cleansing" - a mass washing. The roots of the Slavic traditions of winter swimming in ice water date back to the time of the ancient Scythians. Children were dipped in cold water, tempered, accustomed to harsh weather.

And of course, they plunged into the hole after the bath!

In the winter of 1237, Batu Khan (grandson of Genghis Khan) reached Moscow with his cavalry and saw small houses by the river. Naked people ran out of them and threw themselves into the icy water.

"What are these madmen doing?" he asked. He was told that they call soap houses at home, and the inhabitants of Mushkafa (as the Mongols called Moscow) torture themselves there with birch brooms, wash hot water and kvass, and then they rush into the hole with ice water. This is useful, because the Urusuts (as the Mongols called the Russians) are so strong.

The tradition of ice hardening has deep roots and has survived to this day. At times Soviet Union there were many clubs for hardening and winter swimming. Unfortunately, now they are not so popular.

But the tradition of dipping into the hole after the bath has been preserved to this day. It has not been forgotten, it has not gone out of fashion, it has not found another replacement for itself. After a good bath and a hot steam room, the legs themselves go to the icy water! The body itself knows what it needs and how it is useful for it.

The reaction of the body to swimming in the hole

The heat of the bath, combined with bathing in ice water, causes the capillaries to dilate and contract alternately. This kind of training makes the vessels elastic, and their work is activated. Nutrition of body cells, their activity improves and the process of metabolism in the body is better.

Capillaries, our little helpers, become more efficient, their vital activity increases. They change the amount of blood flow to the skin, so our body can regulate heat transfer within certain limits.

Body temperature after dipping into the hole and bathing in cold water returns to its original values in about half an hour. Trembling occurs after 12-15 minutes, if you do not do warming procedures.

Bath and hot showers, intense exercise and massage will help to cope with this problem.

Winter swimmers need to know that the capillaries of the head (with the exception of the facial part) cannot constrict under the influence of cold. At a temperature of -4 degrees, half of the heat that is produced by the body at rest is lost if the head is not covered.

The brain is sensitive to a lack of oxygen, immersing the head in ice water for more than 5-10 seconds can cause a spasm of the vessels that feed the brain. Therefore, it is necessary to protect your head from hypothermia, otherwise you can disrupt the blood supply to the brain.

Contraindications for swimming in the hole

Swimming in the hole is contraindicated in acute and chronic diseases:

Inflammation of the nasopharynx, accessory cavities of the nose, otitis media
Cardiovascular system (congenital and acquired heart valve defects, ischemic disease with angina attacks, myocardial infarction, coronary-cardiosclerosis, stage II and III hypertension)
Central nervous system (epilepsy, consequences of severe skull injuries, cerebral vascular sclerosis, encephalitis)
Peripheral nervous system (neuritis, polyneuritis)
endocrine system ( diabetes, thyrotoxicosis)
Organs of vision (glaucoma, conjunctivitis)
Respiratory organs (pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma)
Genitourinary system (nephritis, cystitis, inflammation of the appendages, prostate gland)
Gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer stomach, cholecystitis)
Skin and venereal diseases
Extensive post-burn scars of the skin

To all the above contraindications to swimming in an ice hole, I would add a few more important points: unnecessary excitement, undisciplined behavior, bragging, the desire to show one's prowess, win an argument - all this can lead to sad consequences. Ice water can be a healer, but it does not forgive mistakes and can punish hard!

What to take with you

Be sure to bring a change of dry clothes and a soft towel. Clothing should be comfortable to put on (no buttons or hooks). It is advisable to choose natural fabrics without synthetics - they are more pleasant to the body.

For swimming, swim shorts for men and a swimsuit for women, or a simple shirt are needed. For the convenience of walking on snow and slippery ice, slates or flip flops are needed. Shoes can be selected based on personal preferences, the main thing is that they should protect the legs from damage and frostbite.

Take a thermos of hot tea with you, it will be a heavenly drink after leaving the icy water.

What should be the hole

The location of the ice hole should be above the drain of utility water, away from marinas, moorings and piers, oil loading devices, and so on ...

Optimally, the speed of water flow in the reservoir should be no more than 0.25 m per second. The bottom of the hole should be flat and hard, preferably sandy and gradually deepening from the shore. Pits, cliffs, algae, snags and tree roots, large stones can cause injury when swimming.

Before preparing the hole, the bottom must be examined and cleaned. The optimal size of the hole is 6 by 3 meters. In such an ice-hole there can be 5 people at the same time without the danger of collision and touching the ice edge. Such an ice-hole is usually prepared before bathing at Epiphany.

The minimum size of an ice-hole is 3 by 3 meters; such an ice-hole is easy to prepare and maintain in working order.

It is not convenient to swim in the ice hole of smaller sizes, they are dangerous. The mini ice hole is only suitable for dipping the body in cold water.

The optimal depth of the hole should be at least 2-3 meters, in it you can not be afraid to touch the bottom, which can be clogged. In a deep hole, the water is cleaner.

Small ice holes - for beginners hardening, the elderly and those who are bad swimmers.

The ice-hole can be fenced with a lined wall of snow briquettes, it will protect from the wind. Any ice-hole fencing is installed at a distance of 7-9 meters from its edges.

The edges of the hole can be covered with hay, it is convenient to stand on it with bare feet without fear of frostbite.

How to enter the hole

Warm up before entering the hole.

Be sure to do simple physical exercises, let the blood scatter through the veins and capillaries! The more you warm up the body, the better it will be - the hardening effect increases due to the difference in skin and water temperatures.

It is unpleasant for a cold person to enter ice water, there will be little benefit from the procedure ...

If you go to an ice font after a hot steam room, then the bath heat has already done this work for you!

It is necessary to enter the water decisively, while swimming you need to keep your head above the water. For the first few seconds, act vigorously with your arms and legs. Try not to hurt other people in the hole - careless touches in cold water are painful.

What to do after getting out of the hole

Run from the hole to the bath! Warm up in the locker room, pour warm water over yourself, rub yourself gently with a terry towel, get dressed and drink hot tea!

If you plunge into an ice hole without bath procedures, then after icy water you need to rub yourself with a towel, do self-massage, perform several exercise.

Remember that a wet body gives off heat 4 times more than a dry one. To prevent hypothermia, muscle loads, rubbing and self-massage are necessary!

Security measures

Swimming in ice-cold water can cause accidents and injuries. If you decide to go extreme, remember that it is not difficult to enter the hole. Getting out of it is much more difficult.

Even in moderate frost, hands stick to wooden (I'm not talking about metal) railings. For the convenience of getting out of the water, you can hang a dry towel on the handrails of the stairs. Ordinary snow can become a way out of a delicate situation - take a handful from the edge of the ice-hole and grab the handrails together with the snow.

If several people swim in the hole, it is advisable to equip two ladders to get out of the water. So that there would be no delay for swimmers when leaving.

Getting out of the hole in a vertical position is more difficult and dangerous, so every swimmer in the hole needs insurance and mutual assistance. Thus, swimming alone in a large hole is a bad idea.

If you feel uncomfortable, dizziness, weakness, stiffness in movements, fatigue - stop swimming and ask for help when leaving the icy water.

Conclusion and video story about swimming in the hole

There are very few people who engage in winter swimming and swimming in ice water all the time. There are no sections of winter swimming where there are qualified coaches and mentors.

In order to start hardening with cold, a psychological attitude is necessary.

An emotional shake-up when in contact with ice water is inevitable. It is at this moment that a person’s inner core is manifested - can he do it ?! And every time is a small victory over yourself! Ice water does not ask to set records for speed swimming and long stay.

I asked many who swam in the hole - how it happens, what you feel later and what are the first words when you exit the icy water. And you know, there was not a single negative review! Yes, the initial fear and excitement. And the word after the release is one - GREAT!

It is better to see once than to hear a hundred times, so I suggest watching a short video about swimming in an ice hole of a beautiful and brave girl Irina from Krasnoyarsk, who has been winter swimming for over 20 years.

And here are her tips for those who decide to plunge into the hole:

In the list of contraindications for swimming in the course. water mentions the central nervous system. Correct spelling: central nervous system "y" at the end.
Alcohol is strictly contraindicated during and at least 24 hours before. before bathing.
You can't be afraid. Fear binds everything and does not allow the body to respond properly to cold water. Interest, uncertainty, desire to try, I can, I can’t ... anything in my feelings and in my head, but if a person is terrified of cold water, afraid to plunge into it, you don’t need to convince him to try it. At least it will cost you a cold.
With any slightest ailment, you can not dive into cold water.
Cold water is deceiving! It doesn't let you feel the pain. For example, if you push away a floating ice floe or an ice floe, not even a big one, driven by the current touches you, it is likely that you will cut yourself on its sharp edge. You will bleed, but you will not be hurt. You won't feel anything at all. If you peel off a strong nail, for example, on a stone or a ladder, you will not feel it either. If you swim in the water longer than necessary, you will start to fall asleep. And it doesn't hurt either. It is important to remember that cold water is ALWAYS fraught with danger and must be treated with attention and respect. You can't dive alone. Like-minded people should be around. At least one.
Rubbing after cold water is not recommended. For the reason that the sensitivity of the skin is greatly reduced. Gotta get wet.
It is important to dive for the first time while inhaling. Approaching the water, you don’t need to think about it, you don’t need to try to imagine how it will be, you don’t need to touch the water with your hands or try to get used to it with your feet ... Distract your thoughts. Keep them occupied with something else by approaching the water. Cold water feels exactly the same as hot water. It's like taking a hot bath. We go quickly, approximately above the knee (to the level of bathing clothes). We inhale deeply and quickly squat down, plunging headlong for the first time. With air-filled lungs (we breathed in), you will avoid respiratory spasms. The second and third times, dip as you like - you can do it without a head. Do not rush to jump out of the water. Having plunged to the shoulders, try to calm your breath, breathe evenly. Then you can leave. Pat your body dry with a towel. Now you are no longer cold. There is a powerful movement of energy within. Listen to it, feel it. However, do not stand outside for a long time, go indoors. Don't go to the bathroom right away. Wait until the cold comes. As soon as you feel that you are cold, it starts to shake, go to the steam room and warm yourself as much as you like). Before entering the water next time, after the steam room you need to cool down a bit. Too large temperature differences is too much load on the vessels, they may not withstand. It's not worth experimenting. Take care of yourself.
Without a bath, it is important to dive into warm state. From a warm car, for example, or after moderate exercise. After diving, you should not count on exercises. All the blood has rushed to the internal organs, the muscles are cooled and bled, they can be pulled, torn or stretched, joints dislocated. Remember that cold water is deceptive. It is better to blot the body and immediately get dressed. The body will warm itself.
And perhaps the most important: The first time you plunge, all the same, under the guidance of an experienced friend. This will help to avoid troubles, such as loss of consciousness, and therefore unpleasant impressions. It is after such unsuccessful, incorrect attempts that a person begins to think that this is harmful, this is not for him, etc.

Approximately like this.

Good luck and health!)

blogobane.com

Immersion in ice water is a lot of stress. The adrenal glands react sharply and powerfully to it, throwing into the blood a large dose of potent anti-inflammatory hormones, which are normally released a little bit at a time. They inhibit all inflammatory reactions by simply “suppressing” the immune system, helping to endure cold, and adapt the body to endure stress.

If you properly prepare for a dive, a person with average health will endure a one-time dive without difficulty. But if he is at least a little weakened, in three or four days you will have to pay for your courage. According to Boris Skachko, the action of adrenal hormones continues after a release for a maximum of two days. After that, their deficiency occurs, and the body sharply weakens and becomes sensitive to any infections.

Run in front of the water bottle, and after the exit - warm yourself with tea. And if the thermometer is below ten, it is better to reschedule the session for the next time.

1. Before diving, be sure to consult a doctor. People with diabetes, arrhythmia, kidney problems, women with gynecological diseases, alas, it is better to forget about the hole. Hypertension patients can even have a stroke.

2. A week before diving, it is better to start preparing the body for frost. The first 3-4 days it is enough to go out on the balcony for a minute in shorts and a T-shirt. In the remaining days - add dousing with cold water. Enough one or two (in the last two days) basins of cold water.

3. Also, a week before the flask, citrus fruits, herbs, rose hips and other foods rich in vitamin C should be excluded from the diet. After all, it stimulates the immune system, and it is not necessary to stimulate the immune system more than the act of winter swimming does: it will be too much, the immune system will “fall” greatly.

4. Your clothes and shoes should be easy and quick to put on and take off. Dress properly. Ideally, clothes should not have fasteners at all, in extreme cases - “lightning”. It will be problematic to fasten buttons with fingers that do not obey after a frost, and even more so to tie shoelaces. You will only waste your time standing in the cold. Also, take a mat. You will stand on it while you dry yourself and change clothes. Don't forget your hat - put it on as soon as you jump out of the water.

5. Not all weather is suitable for swimming. The ideal temperature for beginners is between 2 and 5 degrees below zero. You can take the risk of diving even in a harder frost, but -10 is already a dangerous threshold for a person trying to dive into an ice hole for the first time.

6. The ice hole should be well cleared of ice fragments so that you do not slip and do not get hurt and make it easier to get out. It is desirable that she has a ladder or a shallow area for easy exit from the water. Never walrus alone - suddenly you need help.

7. Two hours before the dive, you must definitely eat a solid meal, that is, provide the body with “fuel”. When you find yourself in cold water, the body will begin to frantically spend all its resources on heating and not a single kilocalorie will be superfluous.

8. Enter the water warm and gradually. This makes it easier to bear the cold. To warm up before the procedure, you can run for several minutes, squat, do active movements. Enter the water slowly, at an average pace: if slowly, you can freeze, and if quickly, you may be frightened, severe stress, pulse and pressure rise sharply, take your breath away. Going up to your knees, rinse your face with water, wash your face. This will also prepare the body for full immersion.

9. Do not drink alcohol before swimming, otherwise the freezing after going out will be much stronger. In addition, there is a high risk of rupture of blood vessels. After diving, you can warm up with a small amount of alcohol (vodka is best), but ordinary tea is also great for warming up.

10. Do not sit in the ice "whirlpool" to goosebumps. Chills are a sign that the body has begun to overcool. As soon as you feel this, immediately jump out of the water. On average, it is enough to stay in the water for 10 seconds - you will just have time to plunge three times, as it should be according to tradition.

Doctors categorically forbid children to swim in the cold. Young children, especially infants, have an imperfect thermoregulation system. Frostbite can happen very quickly and parents simply do not have time to notice it. The consequences of such bathing are the most serious: a child can get pneumonia, meningitis, or another disease of the central nervous system.

We all have probably heard how a person is called a "walrus". Usually, this word is used in relation to those who can easily endure the low temperature of water or air. However, real "walruses" mean a slightly different meaning of the word. About history winter swimming, ice marathons and why the most enduring winter swimmers are offended by the word "walrus" and this article will tell.

A Brief History of "Walruses" and "Bears"

winter swimming, it is winter swimming, this is swimming in cold or icy water of an open reservoir in winter, and, often, beyond the limits of the capabilities of an ordinary human body. Winter swimming is the highest form of hardening of the body. It is generally accepted that winter swimming originated in Russia. So, back in the middle of the century before last, there was information about people who normally endured winter water and even swam in it, but this information, for the most part, was scattered and did not receive confirmation. The modern history of "walruses" begins in the 20th century, when winter swimming clubs began to appear in Russia.

Going a little into the theory, we clarify that " walruses"- this is a popular name and too collective. In a narrow circle, "walruses" are those who are able to swim in cold (from 10 to 4 degrees Celsius) water. Actually, most winter swimming enthusiasts are "walruses". But there are exceptions - there are only 30 of them all over the world, of which two dozen are in Russia - which are capable of swimming in ice water (from 4 to -2 degrees Celsius). These exceptions call themselves "polar bears" and consider themselves "absolutely different" from "walruses" (which is generally true - you can learn to swim, but you can only be born a "bear"). Organisms of "bears", due to an unknown medical phenomenon, can resist environment many times longer than organisms ordinary people. In the archives Association "Marathon Winter Swimming" there is evidence of how a “bear” with a body temperature of 32 degrees (a lethal body temperature for an ordinary person) led a meaningful dialogue and even performed the simplest mathematical operations, and after warming up, he completely came to his senses.

But in the 1980s, no one even suspected about the "bears" - there were only "walruses". They were made fun of, but generally respected - after all, many of them pushed their bodies to such feats that not every athlete can dream of. With the advent of perestroika and the subsequent collapse of the USSR, the walruses went into the shadows - in those years it was necessary to survive not only in icy water. It was then that the aforementioned association was born, becoming a symbol of the fact that life goes on.

The first action of the association was the holding of the first ever marathon winter swim in August 1991. It took place in the Bering Strait, at a temperature of four to eight degrees Celsius. 60 people participated in that swim, 15 of them were women, the participants swam in several shifts. The total distance was 41 kilometers. In that swim, the assumption of "bears" appeared - some participants looked much better than others, with a similar level of health and fitness. However, the “bears” themselves consider all participants in the swim to be their own, specifying that although swimming in icy water is not available to them, they definitely deserve the honorary title.

The next year, in February, another event was held - a winter marathon relay race. This time the athletes replaced each other one after another and in 68 hours 33 swimmers covered 185 kilometers. Then the above-described case with a low-temperature "bear" was recorded.

A few months later, the association gathered exclusively "bears" and, with the help of the Russian army, transferred them to the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago. A group of 21 "bears" cut ice for 14 hours in order to get to the water, and when they got there, they organized a competition "who will stay the longest." The water temperature was -2 degrees, while the air temperature was -20. The absolute record (10 minutes 25 seconds) was set by 34-year-old Muscovite Lyudmila Burshkhova.

Since then, the members of the association have been quiet, not holding any more big events, except for the annual walrus competition in the capital.

Winter swimming in the 21st century

Nowadays, there are more and more walruses, and winter swimming has even become an official sport. In various cities, walrus clubs are being opened or restored, where veterans of the movement share the secrets of winter swimming with beginners. In general, winter swimming has become an integral part of Russian reality, becoming something familiar to Russians and shocking to foreigners. However, winter swimming competitions are held in many countries - in 2000, a set of rules for winter swimming was adopted in Finland (and edited in 2002). In addition to Russians and Finns, the Chinese, Canadians and Scandinavians know a lot about winter swimming. In addition, world walrus competitions are held annually.

Effects of winter swimming on health

“Swimming in cold water for an unprepared person is death!” - warn experienced walruses. Indeed, if a person does not even know what hardening with cold water is, he will last two minutes in the hole, and then high temperature. So for your first “dive” you need to prepare for a long time and hard - temper yourself, engage in simple swimming and, in general, pull your physical form to the proper level.

But after you successfully swim across your first body of water (traditionally, this is a hole 3-4 meters in length), you will notice that you have stopped catching a cold. It's just that your body is already accustomed to low temperatures, as well as to sudden cooling (water draws heat ten times faster than air). So, with proper exercise and good preparation, swimming in cold water is extremely beneficial.

However, there are quite a few contraindications to winter swimming - muscle injuries that can cause, as well as a weakening of the body caused by illness or pregnancy. In addition, it is not recommended to climb into the hole with inflammatory diseases, diseases of the nervous system, skin and venereal diseases, diseases of the respiratory system, cardiovascular, genitourinary system, some diseases of the organs of vision (for example, conjunctivitis, glaucoma). Winter swimming is strictly prohibited for those suffering from hypertension, atherosclerosis, epilepsy, rheumatism. It is worth refraining from winter swimming in cold water for people with post-burn scars - hellish pain in them is guaranteed.

Rules for conducting winter swimming lessons

Class winter swimming includes the following steps:

Warm up. It helps to bring all body systems into working condition and is performed outdoors for 10-15 minutes. Also, the warm-up can take place in a pool with heated water.
General physical training. This stage is carried out in the gym or pool with heated water for 25-30 minutes.
Swimming in cold water. The duration of stay in the water in the first winter is no more than 20 seconds, the second - no more than 40-50, the third - 60-70 seconds. The duration decreases with severe frost and wind. During swimming, you must make at least 30 strokes per minute. Swim breaststroke without submerging your head. Coming out of the water, immediately wipe off, put on a tracksuit or bathrobe, go into the room.
Warming exercises. These exercises are aimed at eliminating "cold debt" and restoring thermal balance in the body. You can also do self-massage, swim in warm water or take a shower. If you decide to take up winter swimming, it is better, at least at the beginning of the journey, to do it in a group under the supervision and guidance of an experienced instructor.

Battles of the "walruses"

As we have already mentioned, mass walrus competitions have been held all over the world since 2000. Exist four types of competition- individual swims at a distance of 25 to 450 meters, relay races at 25 meters, a seal swim where the time of passing the distance is not recorded and the competition of "seals" - candidates for "walruses" who only dip.

In individual swims, participants are divided into 9 groups - by age. Group A is for swimmers under 20, group I is for swimmers over 70. The remaining ages are evenly divided between groups B to H. In addition, the individual competitions for men and women are held separately.

In relay races, the combined age of all four swimmers is considered. Here the team may already be composed of representatives of both sexes. There are four relay groups:

Up to 150 years.
From 150 to 200.
From 200 to 300 years.
From 300 years.

Relay races and individual heats are held in the breaststroke style, and athletes are forbidden to wear anything other than a bathing suit and cap.

Curious competitions, or rather even a festival, for lovers of winter swimming are held annually in January in the Republic of Korea. This event, called the "Polar Bear", was recognized by the BBC channel as the most original winter sports in the world. Tournament participants first run 10 meters to the water on the sand, and then swim 80 meters in icy water. First held in 1988 in honor of the Olympic Games in Seoul, these competitions bring together more than a thousand participants from different countries. "Polar Bear" offers its guests not only a dip in the icy waters of the Korea Strait, but also a variety of recreational activities such as games, competitions, body art, dancing and photo shoots.

In conclusion of the article, I would like to remind you once again that winter swimming requires a long pre-training and strict adherence to the rules. Temper gradually and systematically, moving from simple to complex, and your body will not let any colds in!