Think twice before taking the plunge.
Polar plunges take place when groups gather — often to ring in the new year or raise money for charity — and jump into frigid bodies of water.
While these events have taken place for years all around the world, some experts warn that they could be dangerous — and even deadly.
“If you’re not ready for the cold shock, it can be really, really dangerous.,” Lee Hill, a former swim coach and exercise physiologist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, told National Geographic.
In recent years, health and beauty gurus as well as celebrities have been touting the benefits of cold plunges and showers (generally defined as bathing in water at less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit), but experts warn that jumping right into frigid waters provides a strong shock that could be too much for some people.
“It’s actually extremely dangerous, mainly because everything most people know is from social media. There’s very little knowledge around it,” François Haman, a physiologist at the University of Ottawa in Canada, said to National Geographic.
“It’s the biggest jolt a human can experience — like a bolt of lightning. That’s how dangerous it is.”
He noted that the first few seconds are “probably the most dangerous part” as the body struggles to regulate itself.
The experts note that some people may begin to hyperventilate, develop hypothermia, go into cardiac arrest and even die.
Those with respiratory challenges like asthma, cardiovascular conditions, hypertension or other heart-related issues should be especially cautious and consult with a doctor beforehand.
Just last year, an unresponsive man was dragged from the ocean during Coney Island’s annual “polar plunge” after a cardiac arrest was reported to the New York City Fire Department.
But when done properly, cold plunges can provide mental, physical and aesthetic benefits.
Rather than diving straight into a polar plunge, professionals often recommend beginners start with a few seconds and add 5 more each time.
Practicing in the shower is the easiest way to prepare, they add.
You also don’t have to freeze for long to reap benefits. A 2016 study published in PLOS One found that people who took a cold shower for just 30 to 90 seconds for 90 days called in sick to work 29% less than people who didn’t take the plunge.
Studies have found that, when conducted correctly, cold plunges or showers can help increase endorphins, boost metabolism, strengthen immune health, promote healthy weight loss, improve circulation, reduce inflammation and swelling, fight symptoms of depression and lessen aches and pains.
Some also claim that cold water can give you a beauty boost by tightening your pores and adding shine to your hair.
A few medical experts have even claimed that taking regular ice baths has helped boost libido to supercharge people’s sex lives.
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