Advantages and disadvantages of cold bath

Advantages and disadvantages of cold bath

The cold water bath mainly uses the temperature of the water to stimulate the body, so as to realize the method of exercising and improving the body's functions. Proper use of cold water bath can improve the body's ability to adapt to cold stimuli, which is beneficial to prevent and treat arteriosclerosis, hypertension and coronary heart disease.

Advantages and disadvantages of cold bath

1. When the water temperature is too low, the human body will feel cold and produce a series of stress reactions, such as rapid heartbeat, blood pressure, muscle contraction, nervous tension, etc., not only can not eliminate fatigue, but also easily cause colds, and should be avoided as much as possible . For those with poor physique, they shouldn’t bathe in cold water. Otherwise, their resistance will be poor, and the stimulus of the cold will cause colds, fevers and other diseases.

2. In some areas, the climate change is so big that the flu is brought forward. It is necessary to prevent colds as soon as possible. Taking a cold bath is not a wise move for some friends. However, you can insist on washing your face with cold water for a long time to promote blood circulation, prevent colds and rhinitis, and make the skin more shiny and elastic.

3. For winter swimmers who insist on exercising all year round, they need a process of learning and adapting, and they need to persevere all the year round. However, cold water bath exercise must take a gradual approach: in autumn, the temperature gradually decreases, and the human body gradually adapts to the cold and cold water, so that in late autumn and winter, taking a cold water bath does not feel too cold. The "gradual progress" of the cold water bath should also include the "from part to the whole body" of the bathing part, the "higher to lower" of the water temperature, and the "shorter to longer" of the bathing time.

It should be said that for most people, if the "cold bath" method is used correctly, it is beneficial to health.

This is because the first 1-2 minutes of "cold bath" will shrink the skin epidermis and the blood will flow to the internal organs, but after 2-3 minutes, the body will adapt to this temperature and the blood will redistribute and return to the skin epidermis. The whole process is like doing "gymnastics" for blood vessels, which can not only enhance resistance, but also enhance blood vessel elasticity and prevent arteriosclerosis. Secondly, using a "cold bath", the nervous system is obviously stimulated, resulting in faster heartbeat, deeper breathing, and faster blood flow, which not only promotes metabolism, but also makes the skin soft and elastic. In addition, the use of "cold bath" can also help enhance digestive function, and has a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on chronic gastritis, gastroptosis, constipation and other diseases.

In order to "enjoy" the benefits of using "cold water bath" to the greatest extent, scientific and reasonable methods should be adopted, specifically as follows:

1. The "cold bath" should start in summer, keep going and make progress gradually.

2. Do a "warm up" exercise before each use of the "cold bath", rub the skin with your hands for a few minutes until you feel red and hot.

3. When taking a bath, "pour" water on the limbs first, and then wash the chest and back a few minutes later, so that the body has a gradual adaptation process.

4. The water temperature should not be too low, preferably 5--25℃, and the time should not be too long, about 10-15 minutes, and the longest should not exceed half an hour.

It is not suitable for everyone to use "cold bath". The following people should be "young" when using "cold bath":

1. Infants and young children and elderly people over 60 years old who have never used "cold bath" are best not to use "cold bath".

2. Women should not use "cold bath" during menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth.

3. People who have poor immunity due to long-term continuous overtime or sickness can easily get in by bacteria and viruses, causing colds, pharyngitis and other diseases. People who are sensitive to cold water should not use it, otherwise they will get a rash.

4. The use of "cold water bath" for hypertensive patients will increase blood pressure and even cause cerebrovascular hemorrhage, stroke, and coma.

5. The use of "cold bath" in patients with heart disease will increase the burden on the heart, induce angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction and even sudden death.

6. Patients with rheumatism and sciatica who are stimulated by cold water will aggravate local pain, and it is not appropriate to use "cold water bath".

Also need to pay attention, do not use "cold bath" after strenuous exercise. Because the capillaries on the body surface are dilated at this time, if you suddenly "encounter" cold water, it will increase the burden on the heart, causing palpitation, shortness of breath, dizziness and other discomforts; during the "cold water bath", if the skin continues to turn white, dizziness, etc. Symptoms should be stopped immediately to avoid accidents.