It won't heal, but it can cheer you up. The doctor spoke about the pros and cons of Epiphany bathing

In a week, on January 18 and 19, Orthodox believers will celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. In churches in memory of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River and the miracle of Epiphany, a liturgy will be served and water will be blessed, which Christians believe will acquire healing properties. The folk custom of immersion in the baptismal font is associated with one of the great immutable twelve holidays. And although faith does not at all oblige Orthodox Christians to subject their bodies to the test of immersion in ice water, there are quite a few who want to observe the tradition from year to year. A BELTA correspondent talked with the HEAD of the Department of General Medical Practice of the Belarusian State Medical University, Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences Vadim Sushinsky and found out how to safely prepare for Epiphany bathing, what consequences of plunging into an ice hole can have on HEALTH, who doctors do not recommend exposing the body to such stress, and whether it is really healing. water from an ice hole in Epiphany frost from a medical point of view.
Warm up, quickly take a dip, quickly get dressed and drink hot tea.

One of the first recommendations for those who decide to join the immersion in the Epiphany font is hardening. It, however, has its own rules. Cold stress should be given to the body gradually, which means it’s time to start preparing for swimming in the icy Epiphany water at least six months in advance. Not everyone follows this advice from doctors, so Vadim Sushinsky offers a small algorithm for expressly preparing the body for immersion in water at a big disadvantage, which will help avoid serious negative consequences for health.

“You need to plunge into the ice hole in specially designated places, where a number of safety measures have already been taken, and only under the supervision of doctors and rescuers. Immediately before going down into the plunge pool, you should slightly warm up your body. This can be a warm-up, rubbing, or jogging. Afterwards, it is recommended wash your face with water. It is extremely important that there is no long wait before diving. If you have to wait for your turn for several minutes before descending, you should do this dressed. Clothes, by the way, should be warm, comfortable and easy to remove. Most often, a terry robe is recommended with a hood, but a loose large jacket or fur coat is also suitable. Easily removable, non-slip shoes are required," lists the candidate of medical sciences.

Believers often make a dangerous mistake: they plunge headlong, completely going under water. For an unprepared person, such experiments pose a serious threat. As Vadim Sushinsky explained, when a person plunges his head into ice water, the blood vessels of the brain reflexively narrow, which in severe cases leads to the development of a stroke.

Another common mistake is exceeding the safe time spent in the baptismal font for the body. Doctors warn: the total time spent in the ice hole should be limited and measured in seconds. The optimal threshold is 10-20 seconds, but a delay in Epiphany water for more than one minute will be a prerequisite for general hypothermia of the body.

When the ordeal of frost and cold water is left behind, Vadim Sushinsky advises the “walruses” to immediately wipe themselves dry, or better yet, rub their frozen body with a towel and immediately get dressed. Hot tea will be a good warming agent. But doctors do not recommend being in the cold air after plunging into the font: immediately after completing the folk ritual, you should go to a warm room. “It is imperative to remember that it is not recommended to overeat on the eve of Epiphany bathing. Of course, ALCOHOL should be completely excluded both before and after the procedure,” Vadim Sushinsky made an important remark. Immersion in the baptismal font is stressful for the body.

An equally important issue that concerns many who decide to observe the baptismal rite are the health consequences that it entails. Vadim Sushinsky reassures: healthy peopleEpiphany bathing is usually well tolerated. Those who plunge into the ice bath in the first minutes experience an unprecedented emotional upsurge, the person becomes cheerful, his body is filled with lightness, and his mood improves.

For older divers, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women and small children, the effect of plunging into the Epiphany font will not be so rosy. “You need to understand that diving into an ice hole is a strong cold load that affects the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems, so people with diseases from an impressive list of medical conditions should refrain from swimming in ice water,” warns the head of the department of general medical practice. BSMU.

What diseases are on this list? Colds, inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx and paranasal cavities, diseases of the genitourinary system. Doctors have many
contraindications for “heart patients” - those who suffer from coronary heart disease, angina pectoris and heart rhythm disturbances, have suffered a myocardial infarction or are observed with arterial hypertension. Doctors do not recommend immersion in the Epiphany font for people with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems, diseases of the endocrine system and a number of respiratory ailments. But to finally dispel all doubts - whether or not to decide to go down into the baptismal font - is possible only with a personal visit to the DOCTOR. Are Epiphany baths as healing as is commonly believed? One of the most powerful motivators for experienced “walruses” and desperate beginners who want to pass the test of frost and icy water is the idea that for plunging into the Epiphany font all their sins will be forgiven. And although this is more of a symbol, the Orthodox sincerely believe in the sanctity of the ritual. Doctors are more pragmatic. “For many years I have been studying data on the effect of Epiphany bathing on the human body and regularly analyze the results of medical studies on the benefits of temperature stress. But in all this time, I have never found indisputable evidence of the latter anywhere,” notes Vadim Sushinsky. The candidate of medical sciences says: immersion in cold water can act as a strong irritant, causing the activation of all organs and systems. This explains the good mood and bright emotions that arise after immersion in the baptismal font. At the same time, Vadim Sushinsky warns against attributing healing properties to swimming in ice-cold water, even Epiphany water, especially for unprepared people. Indeed, in medicine, as in religion, each case should be approached individually. Vera VASILEVSKAYA BELTA