Hardening should begin with pouring some water. Wiping methods for high temperatures in children

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What is hardening and what is its significance?

Physiological mechanisms and effects of hardening ( the effect of hardening on the body and health)

Under normal conditions, the temperature of the human body is maintained at a constant level, which is ensured by many regulatory mechanisms. The main "sources" of heat are the liver ( processes occurring in it are accompanied by the release of energy in the form of heat), as well as muscles, during the contraction of which heat is released. From the cooling systems of the body greatest value have superficial skin blood vessels. If the body temperature rises above normal, the skin vessels expand and fill with warm blood, as a result of which heat transfer increases and the body cools. When the body enters a cold environment, irritation of specific cold receptors occurs - special nerve cells responsive to cold. This leads to a contraction of the blood vessels of the skin, as a result of which warm blood flows from them into the central vessels located in the internal organs. In this case, heat transfer decreases, that is, the body thus “saves” heat.

The peculiarity of the described mechanism is that the process of contraction of the blood vessels of the skin and the vessels of the mucous membranes ( including mucous throat, nasal passages and so on) in an ordinary, unhardened person proceeds relatively slowly. As a result, when exposed to a cold environment, pronounced hypothermia of tissues can occur, which will lead to the development of various diseases. The essence of hardening is the slow, gradual "training" of those body systems that provide regulation of body temperature. With prolonged and constant hardening, the body "adapts" to rapidly changing environmental conditions. This is manifested by the fact that when entering a cold environment, skin vessels begin to contract faster than in an untrained person, as a result of which the risk of hypothermia and the development of complications is significantly reduced.

At the same time, it is worth noting that during hardening, not only the blood vessels of the skin are “trained”, but also other organs and systems involved in providing adaptive reactions.

In the process of hardening also occurs:

• Activation of the endocrine ( hormonal) systems. When exposed to cold, the adrenal glands ( special glands of the human body) secrete the hormone cortisol. This hormone improves metabolism throughout the body, thereby increasing its resistance in a stressful situation.
• Changes in metabolism at the cellular level. With regular exposure to cold, there is a change ( acceleration) metabolism in skin cells, which also contributes to the hardening of the body.
• Activation of the nervous system. The nervous system regulates almost all processes that occur during hardening of the body ( ranging from constriction and dilation of blood vessels and ending with the production of hormones in the adrenal glands). Its activation during cold procedures also plays an important role in preparing the body for the action of stress factors.

The role of hardening in the prevention of colds and the development of immunity

Colds are commonly referred to as a group of infections that develop when the body is overcooled. These include influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, pharyngitis ( inflammation of the pharynx) and so on. The mechanism of development of these pathologies is that with a sharp hypothermia of the body, its protective properties are significantly reduced. However, infectious agents viruses or bacteria) easily penetrate into the tissues of the body through the mucous membranes of the pharynx and upper respiratory tract leading to the development of the disease.

When hardening the body, an improvement is noted barrier functions mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, as well as the acceleration of metabolism in them, which prevents the likelihood of developing colds. In this case, with hypothermia of the mucosa ( for example, when drinking a cold drink in the heat) its vessels narrow very quickly, thereby preventing the development of hypothermia. At the same time, after the cessation of exposure to cold, they also expand rapidly, as a result of which blood flow to the mucosa increases and its antiviral and antibacterial protection increases.

How long do hardening results last?

It is worth noting that in a child, the effect of hardening can pass much faster than in an adult ( within 6 - 7 days after the termination of the hardening procedures).

Do I need to take vitamins when hardening?

It is also worth noting that the presence of vitamins ( A, C, B, E and others) is necessary for normal operation immune system protecting the body from viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. With a lack of vitamins in the blood, the severity of immunity may decrease, which will contribute to the development of colds and infectious diseases even when hardening the body.

Hygiene hardening ( basics, rules and conditions)

Where to start hardening?

Before starting hardening, you should:

• Exclude the presence of acute diseases. Cold infections, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract ( e.g. gastritis - inflammation of the lining of the stomach), diseases of the respiratory system ( pneumonia, acute bronchitis) and other similar pathologies are accompanied by severe stress on the immune and other systems of the body. If at the same time a person begins to perform hardening exercises, the body may not be able to cope with the increasing loads, which will lead to deterioration general condition or exacerbate an existing disease. That is why it is necessary to begin to harden no earlier than 2 weeks after the complete cure of an acute pathology.
• Get enough sleep. It has been scientifically proven that lack of sleep especially chronic, prolonged sleep deprivation) significantly disrupts the functions of many body systems, including the nervous system, immune system, and so on. At the same time, the adaptive mechanisms are also weakened, as a result of which, when performing hardening procedures, a person can easily catch a cold.
• Get ready for a permanent job. As mentioned earlier, hardening of the body is achieved within a few months and must be maintained for many years. If a person expects a quick effect, he may stop performing hardening procedures after 5 to 10 days without getting the desired result.

Traditional types, factors and means of hardening in summer

Depending on the type of influencing factor, there are:

• Cold hardening. The most effective method of cold hardening is water exercises, however, air procedures are also used for this purpose. When hardening with cold, the body's resistance to hypothermia increases, and the processes of heat production in the liver and muscles improve and accelerate. Moreover, when hardening with cold, certain changes occur in the skin itself - they thicken, the number of blood vessels and adipose tissue in them increases, resulting in a reduced risk of frostbite and colds.
• Air hardening. Air procedures allow you to normalize the functions of the central nervous system and endocrine ( hormonal) systems, improve metabolism in the body and increase its resistance to the action of infectious and other pathogenic factors. In addition, air procedures also stimulate the compensatory and protective systems of the body, however, this happens “softer” than during cold hardening ( water). That is why air hardening can be used even by those people who are contraindicated in water exercises ( for example, if there is serious illnesses cardiovascular, respiratory or other body systems).
• Sun hardening. When exposed to sunlight, there is an expansion of the blood vessels of the skin, as well as an improvement in blood circulation and metabolism in it. Moreover, ultraviolet rays included in sunlight ) stimulate the production of vitamin D in the body, which is necessary for the normal development of bone tissue, as well as for the functioning of other organs and systems. All of these effects contribute to increasing the body's resistance to various infections and colds.

Basic principles of hardening

The main principles of hardening include:

• Gradual increase in load. Hardening procedures should be started carefully, gradually reducing the temperature of the factors affecting the body. At the same time, the body's defenses will have time to adapt to changing environmental conditions. If you start hardening with too large loads ( for example, immediately start dousing with ice water), an unadapted organism can become overcooled, which will lead to the development of complications. At the same time, if you do not increase the load or increase it only slightly, hardening of the body will not occur.
• Systematic ( regular) performing hardening exercises. It is recommended to start hardening in the summer, since at the same time the body is maximally prepared for stress. At the same time, hardening procedures should be continued regularly throughout the year, otherwise the hardening effect will disappear.
• Combination of various hardening techniques. For the most effective hardening of the body, water, air and solar procedures should be combined, which will activate various defense systems of the body and strengthen it.
• Proper nutrition. Hardening exercises are recommended to be combined with a proper, balanced diet. This will provide the body with all essential vitamins, trace elements and nutrients necessary for hardening and strengthening immunity.
• Accounting individual features organism. When starting hardening, it is important to correctly assess the initial state of the body. If a weakened, ill-prepared person begins to perform too intense hardening programs, this can lead to the development of colds and other diseases. Such people are advised to start hardening with minimal loads, and they should be increased more slowly than in other cases.

Is hardening useful in autumn, winter and spring?

At the same time, it is worth noting that starting hardening in the cold season ( autumn or winter) Not recommended. The fact is that exposure to water or air procedures at low ambient temperatures increases the risk of hypothermia of an unprepared body, as a result of which colds can develop. It is also not worth starting hardening procedures in the spring because at this time many people have a deficiency of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, as well as a general depletion of the body, which negatively affects adaptive reactions and immunity in general.

The benefits of hardening in sports

Hardening and massage

Cold/Water Hardening ( water procedures)

At the same time, it is worth remembering a number of rules and recommendations that will make water hardening procedures as effective and safe as possible for human health.

When quenching with water, you should:

• Perform hardening procedures in the morning. It is best to do this immediately after sleep, because in addition to the hardening effect, this will give a person a charge of vivacity for the whole day. It is undesirable to exercise before going to bed ( less than 1-2 hours before bedtime), since as a result of the impact of a stress factor ( i.e. cold water) may disrupt the process of falling asleep.
• Cool already warm ( warmed up) organism. As mentioned earlier, the essence of hardening is to activate the adaptive reactions of the body, that is, to narrow the blood vessels of the skin in response to cold exposure. However, if the body is initially cooled, the superficial blood vessels are already spasmodic ( narrowed), as a result of which hardening procedures will not give any positive effect. At the same time, it is worth remembering that it is also not recommended to act with cold on a body that is too “hot” ( especially for an unprepared person), as this can provoke hypothermia and a cold. It is best to do a light warm-up for 5 to 10 minutes before starting water procedures. This will improve blood circulation throughout the body and prepare it for hardening, at the same time, without contributing to its excessive overheating.
• Let the skin dry on its own. Drying the skin after exposure to water will shorten the duration of the stimulating effect of cold, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the procedure. Instead, it is recommended to allow the skin to dry on its own while being careful to avoid drafts, as this can cause a cold.
• Warm up after finishing cooling exercises. 15 - 20 minutes after the end of the water procedures, you should definitely warm the body, that is, go to a warm room or put on warm clothes (if the room is cold). At the same time, the skin vessels will expand, and the blood flow to them will increase, which will prevent the development of colds.
• Increase the duration and intensity of water procedures. At first, relatively warm water should be used, and the duration of the water procedures themselves should not exceed a few seconds. Over time, the temperature of the water should be lowered, and the duration of the exercises should be gradually increased, which will ensure the hardening of the body.

• rubdown ( trituration) water;
• dousing with cold water;
• swimming in the hole.

Rub hardening ( rubbing)

The initial temperature of the water used for wiping should not be lower than 20 - 22 degrees. As you exercise, the water temperature should be reduced by 1 degree every 2 to 3 days. The minimum water temperature is limited by the capabilities of a person and the reaction of his body to the procedure.

Rubbing can be:

• Partial. In this case, only certain areas of the skin are exposed to cold exposure. It is recommended to rub them in a certain sequence - first the neck, then the chest, stomach, back. The essence of the procedure is as follows. After a preliminary warm-up for 5-10 minutes, a person should undress. You need to draw water of the required temperature into your hand, then splash it onto a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe body and immediately begin to rub it intensively, performing circular movements with your palms until all the liquid from the surface of the skin has evaporated. After that, you need to move on to the next part of the body. To wipe your back, you can use a towel soaked in water.
• General. In this case, the entire body is wiped. To perform the exercise, you need to take a long towel ( or a sheet) and soak in cold water. Next, the towel should be stretched under the armpits, take its ends with your hands and begin to intensively rub your back, gradually descending to the lumbar region, buttocks and back surfaces of the legs. Next, the towel should be moistened again in cold water and rubbed with it on the chest, stomach and front surfaces of the legs. At the initial stage, the entire procedure should take no more than 1 minute, but in the future, its duration can be increased.

Pouring cold water

The essence of the procedure is as follows. After a preliminary warm-up, water of the desired temperature should be drawn into the bucket. Then, undressing, you need to take a few deep and frequent breaths, and then pour all the water on your head and torso at once. After that, you should immediately begin to rub the body with your hands, continuing to do this for 30 to 60 seconds. Exercise should be performed daily, lowering the water temperature by 1 degree every 2 to 3 days.

Cold and hot shower

A more efficient hardening technique could be cold and hot shower, however, this exercise can be applied only after several weeks of hardening by wiping and dousing with water. The essence of the procedure is as follows. After a preliminary warm-up, you should stand in the shower and open cold water (20 - 22 degrees) for 10 - 15 seconds. Then, without leaving the shower, you should open the hot ( about 40 degrees) water and stay under it also for 10 - 15 seconds. The water temperature change can be repeated 2-3 times ( it is recommended to finish the procedure with warm water), then get out of the shower and let the skin dry. In the future, the temperature of "cold" water can be lowered by 1 degree every 2 - 3 days, while the temperature of "hot" water should remain constant. The advantage of this technique is that during the change in water temperature, there is a rapid narrowing and then expansion of the blood vessels of the skin, which maximally stimulates the adaptive reactions of the body.

Hardening by swimming in the hole

Just before immersing in ice water for 10 to 20 minutes, it is recommended to perform a good warm-up, including gymnastics, easy running, and so on. This will improve blood circulation and prepare the cardiovascular, respiratory and other systems for stress. Also, before diving, you should put on a special rubber cap on your head, which should also cover your ears ( getting ice water into them can cause otitis media - inflammatory disease ear). Immerse yourself in water for short periods ( from 5 to 90 seconds, depending on the fitness of the body).

After leaving the ice water, you should immediately dry yourself with a towel and throw a warm bathrobe or blanket over your body to avoid hypothermia in the cold. Also, after bathing, it is recommended to drink warm tea, brought in advance in a thermos. This will warm the mucous membrane of the pharynx and internal organs, preventing severe hypothermia of the body. It is strictly forbidden to take alcoholic drinks after bathing ( vodka, wine and so on), since the ethyl alcohol included in their composition contributes to the expansion of the blood vessels of the skin, as a result of which the body loses heat very quickly. In such conditions, hypothermia can occur, and the risk of developing a cold or even pneumonia increases.

Leg hardening ( stop)

Hardening of the legs contributes to:

• Walking barefoot. The essence of the procedure is that in the early morning hours, when dew appears on the grass, get up and walk barefoot on the lawn for 5-10 minutes. At the same time, cool dew will have a cooling effect on the skin of the legs, thereby stimulating the development of protective and adaptive reactions.
• Pouring feet. You can pour cold water on your feet or use a contrast shower for this ( according to the methods described above). These procedures will further improve blood microcirculation in the area of ​​the feet, thereby increasing their resistance to hypothermia.

air hardening ( aerotherapy)

For the purpose of hardening with air, the following are used:

• air baths;
• breathing exercises ( breathing exercises).

Air baths

Air baths can be:

• hot when the air temperature reaches 30 degrees.
• warm- when the air temperature is between 25 and 30 degrees.
• indifferent- at an air temperature of 20 to 25 degrees.
• Cool- at an air temperature of 15 - 20 degrees.
• cold- at temperatures below 15 degrees.

If no complications are observed, after 1 - 2 weeks you can move on to indifferent baths, and after another month - to cool ones. At the same time, the procedure itself can be performed indoors or outdoors ( e.g. in the garden). Cold baths are indicated only for those people who harden for at least 2 to 3 months and do not suffer from any serious diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

While taking air baths, a person should feel a slight coolness. You should not allow a feeling of cold or the development of muscle tremors, as this will indicate a stronger hypothermia of the body. Also, during the procedure itself, one should not be in a draft or on the street in windy weather, since in this case the cooling of the body will occur too intensively, which can cause complications ( colds).

Breathing exercises ( breathing exercises)

It is recommended to perform breathing exercises before the start of the hardening procedures themselves. This will “warm up” the body and prepare it for the upcoming stress. At the same time, performing breathing exercises after hardening allows you to normalize heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate, which positively affects the functioning of all body systems.

Breathing exercises during hardening include:

• Exercise 1 ( belly breathing). Starting position - sitting. At first, you need to slowly in 5 - 10 seconds) take the deepest possible breath, and then just as slowly perform maximum exhalation. As you exhale, draw in your stomach and tighten your muscles. abdominal wall, which favorably affects the functions of the diaphragm ( the main respiratory muscle, located on the border between the chest and abdominal cavity ). Repeat the exercise should be 3 - 6 times.
• Exercise 2 ( chest breathing). Starting position - sitting. Before starting the exercise, draw in the stomach, and then slowly take the maximum breath from the chest. In this case, the front of the chest should rise up, and the stomach should remain retracted. At the second stage, you should make a maximum exhalation, during which you need to slightly tilt your torso forward. Repeat the procedure 3-6 times.
• Exercise 3 ( breath holding). After a maximum inhalation, you should hold your breath for 5 to 15 seconds ( depending on the ability of the person), and then exhale as much as possible. After exhaling, you also need to hold your breath for 2-5 seconds, and then repeat the exercise 3-5 times.
• Exercise 4 ( breathing while walking). During the exercise, you should slowly move around the room, alternating deep breaths with the deepest exhalations ( 4 steps inhale, 3 steps exhale, 1 step pause). It is best to perform this exercise after hardening procedures, as it helps to normalize the functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.
• Exercise 5 Starting position - any. After a deep breath, you should compress your lips, and then exhale as much as possible, resisting the exhaled air with your lips. Repeat this procedure 4-6 times. This exercise promotes the penetration of air even into the most "hard-to-reach" areas of the lungs ( which are not ventilated during normal breathing), thereby reducing the risk of developing viral and bacterial infections.

hardening by the sun sunbathing)

Sunbathing is recommended in calm weather. The most suitable time for this is from 10 am to 12 am and from 4 pm to 6 pm. Solar radiation is intense enough to cause the necessary changes in the skin. At the same time, it is not recommended to be in the sun from 12 to 16 hours, since the damaging effect of solar radiation is maximum.

The duration of the sunbath at the beginning of hardening should not exceed 5 minutes. To do this, undress in whole or in part, leaving a loincloth, swimming trunks or swimsuit) and lie on your back or stomach. During the entire sunbathing period, the person's head should remain in the shade or be covered with a head covering, as exposure to direct sunlight can cause sunstroke. After the end of the procedure, it is recommended to immerse the body in cool water for 1-2 minutes ( swim in the sea, take a cool shower and so on). This will lead to narrowing of the skin vessels, which will also contribute to the hardening of the body. In the future, the time of exposure to the sun can be increased, but it is not recommended to stay in direct sunlight for more than 30 minutes ( continuously). Sunbathing should be interrupted immediately if a person develops a burning sensation in the skin area, dizziness, headache, blackout or other unpleasant sensation.

Non-traditional hardening methods

Non-traditional hardening methods include:

• wiping with snow;
• hardening in the bath ( in the steam room);
• Riga hardening ( hardening with salt, salt path).

snow rubdown

This technique is suitable for trained, hardened people, whose body is already adapted to extreme cold loads. It is strictly forbidden to start hardening procedures with wiping with snow, as this can most likely lead to a cold or pneumonia.

Hardening in the bath ( in the steam room)

To be in the steam room itself ( where the air temperature can reach 115 degrees or more) follows within a strictly defined time. First, you should close in the steam room for 1 - 2 minutes, then take short breaks ( for 10 - 15 minutes). This will allow you to assess the reaction of the body to such a high temperature. If there are no unusual symptoms during breaks ( dizziness, headaches, nausea, blackouts in the eyes) is not observed, you can increase the time spent in the steam room up to 5 minutes. In the future, this time can be increased by 1 - 2 minutes with each next visit to the bath.

After leaving the steam room, you can also plunge into cold water. The resulting stress will lead to a rapid narrowing of the blood vessels of the skin, which will have a pronounced hardening effect. If the procedure is performed in winter, after leaving the steam room, you can perform a rubdown with snow, which will give the same positive result.

Riga hardening ( salt hardening, salt path)

The essence of the exercise is as follows. Human ( adult or child) must sequentially, in small steps, walk first along the first ( salty), then on the second ( just wet) and then on the third ( dry) track. This will help improve microcirculation in the skin of the feet, as well as strengthen its blood vessels, that is, hardening. At the beginning of classes, it is recommended to go through all three tracks no more than 4 to 5 times. In the future, the number of circles can be increased to 10 - 15.

What will happen to your body if you pour cold water every day?

The high efficiency of the impact of water on the body is explained by the fact that its heat capacity is 28 times higher than the heat capacity of air. So, air at a temperature of 13 ° C is perceived as cool, at the same time, water at the same temperature seems cold. At the same temperature of air and water, the body loses almost 30 times more heat in water. It is for this reason that water is considered as a very strong hardening natural remedy.

Water procedures have another feature. They, as a rule, have a mechanical effect on a person. Water has a stronger effect compared to air due to the dissolved in it mineral salts, gases and liquids. By the way, in order to enhance the irritating effect of water, sometimes 2-3 tablespoons of table salt or 3-4 tablespoons of table vinegar are added to it. Sea water is an ideal remedy for hardening.

Everyone, depending on the condition, degree of hardening, other conditions, can also choose the method of procedures that is suitable for themselves. The impact of some of them is not too great (for example, rubbing with a wet towel). The strength of the impact of others, say, showering, bathing, is quite large. However, under all circumstances, try to adhere to the most important principle - gradualism. In other words, it is more expedient to use water of the temperature that is necessary in this case.

Hardening with water begins with “soft” procedures - wiping, dousing, then moving on to more energetic ones - showering, bathing, etc.

As already noted, the body responds to the action of cold water on the skin with an energetic reaction. At the first moment, due to a sharp narrowing of the vessels of the body surface, the blood rushes to internal organs, goose bumps appear. After the first phase, the second phase begins: the body begins to intensively produce heat, the blood vessels of the skin dilate, the blood rushes to the skin again, the feeling of chills is replaced by a pleasant feeling of warmth. This is a kind of gymnastics that teaches the vessels to expand and contract in a timely and unfailing manner, depending on temperature conditions.

To obtain a beneficial effect, approach the water should be warmed up, since in chilled water, instead of warming, even more cooling occurs. The main thing when hardening is the temperature of the water, and not the duration of the procedure. Strictly adhere to the rule: the colder the water, the shorter should be the time of its contact with the body.

Especially effective is the combination of water hardening with exercise. That is why after training sessions it is recommended to take water procedures.

Rubbing is the initial stage of hardening with water. Within a few days, wipes are made with a towel, sponge, or simply with a hand moistened with water. At first they wipe only to the waist, then they move on to wiping the whole body. Rubbing is carried out in the direction of blood and lymph flow - from the periphery to the center.

Stick to a certain sequence. First, they wipe the head, neck, arms, chest, back with water, wipe them dry and rub them to redness with a towel. After that, the same is done with the feet, shins, thighs. The duration of the entire procedure, including rubbing the body, which partially replaces self-massage, should not exceed 5 minutes.

Pouring is characterized by the action of low water temperature, low pressure of the jet falling on the surface of the body. This dramatically enhances the effect of irritation, so dousing is contraindicated for people with increased excitability and the elderly.

When pouring, water pours out of a vessel or a rubber hose connected to the water supply. And here the principle of gradualism is necessary. For the first douche, water at a temperature of about 30 ° C is used. In the future, the temperature drops to 15 ° C and below. The duration of the procedure followed by rubbing the body is 3-4 minutes.

Douching is first done indoors at an air temperature of 18-20 ° C, then in the open air. In order to prepare the body for such a transition, before each procedure, thoroughly ventilate the room, reducing the temperature in it to 15 ° C. In summer, douching should be done outdoors daily in any weather. For people with a high degree of hardening, these procedures can be continued until late autumn.

D u w is an even more energetic water treatment. Due to mechanical irritation by falling water, the shower causes a strong local and general reaction of the body.
For hardening, a shower with an average jet force is used - in the form of a fan or rain. At first, the water temperature is 30-35 ° C, the duration is no more than 1 minute.

Then the water temperature is gradually reduced, and the shower time is increased to 2 minutes. The procedure must necessarily end with vigorous rubbing of the body with a towel, after which, as a rule, a cheerful mood appears.

At a high degree of hardening after physical activity, for hygienic purposes, to relieve fatigue caused by training or hard physical work, it is useful to use the so-called contrast shower. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that warm and cold water are alternately used with a temperature difference from 5-7 to 20 ° C or more.

Swimming in open water is one of the most effective ways to harden. The temperature regime is combined with simultaneous exposure to the surface of the body of air and sunlight. Swimming, in addition, is of great health importance, contributes to the harmonious development of the body, strengthens the muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory system, forms very important motor skills. It seems that it was no coincidence that in ancient times they spoke with disdain about inferior people: they can neither read nor swim ...

The swimming season begins when the temperature of water and air reaches 18-20 °C. Bathing is stopped at an air temperature of 14-15 ° C, water - 10-12 ° C. It is better to swim in the morning and evening hours. First, bathe once a day, then 2-3 times, while observing the interval between bathing (3-4 hours). It is not recommended to swim immediately after eating.

The break should be at least 1.5-2 hours. Do not enter the water excessively heated or chilled.

Have a strong effect on the body sea ​​bathing. Their special value lies in the fact that there is a combination of thermal irritation with mechanical - shock waves. Increased content in sea ​​water dissolved salts, especially table salts, causes chemical irritation of the skin.

Remember that without proper nutrition, which gives the body all the necessary trace elements and does not pollute or overload the gastrointestinal tract, one cannot succeed in any wellness event. Proper and rational nutrition is the core of the health of any person, and other methods of healing are repelled from it.

Hardening will not cure you of the disease, but it will help to avoid infection and the development of the disease.. Hardening can be used by anyone, regardless of gender, age, and physical fitness.

Hardening is a procedure with which it is quite easy to increase the body's resistance to various infections, viruses and other dirty tricks.

There are several stages of hardening: wiping, dousing, cold showers, swimming in cold water, and only then swimming in an ice hole. Today we will talk about the initial stage of hardening, namely, how to wipe down correctly and without harm to health.

The basic rules for hardening the body with the help of rubbing:

1. The hardening process itself is best started at the end of summer or at the beginning of autumn, when the air temperature during the day is approximately + 18-20ºС.

2. Rubbing begins with a towel soaked in water at room temperature. After about a week, the water temperature can be reduced by 5 degrees.

3. After the procedure, do not forget to rub the skin well, dry it with a towel.

4. Rubbing must be carried out in full accordance with the main rules of massage. Namely: your movements should be directed from the edge to the center. For example, you should start wiping your legs from the foot, gradually moving to the thigh. By adhering to this rule, you will improve the lymph flow and contribute to the best of the body.

5. If during wiping you use medicinal decoctions, solutions, then they should be applied with a brush with a hard bristle or with the help of hands (light massage movements). This is necessary in order for the medicinal elements of decoctions and solutions to better penetrate inside.

Types of rubbing and the order in which they are carried out:

Snow baths. Such wiping should naturally be carried out in the presence of a sufficient amount of clean snow and in the absence of strong winds. In order to start snow baths, you first need to undress to the waist. After that, take a handful of snow and wipe your face and neck with it.

The next parts of the body to be covered with snow will be rib cage and belly. The last in turn are the shoulders and arms. At the initial stage, 10-15 s will be enough ( total time procedure), for 12 days this time can be increased to 20-30 s.

Massage in the sauna. When visiting the sauna, wiping can be carried out both before visiting the steam room and after. Before visiting the steam room, apply a therapeutic mixture (honey, herbal infusions, etc.) to the previously cleansed skin. Then go to the steam room for 5-15 minutes. (Depending on your fitness level). During this time, the body will have time to absorb useful material and .

As a final procedure for visiting the sauna, you can use contrast rubdown. To do this, you will need a hard terry towel and a large bowl of ice water. Dampen a towel with water and dry yourself vigorously. During the rubdown, the towel will become warmer, and we will achieve a temperature contrast during the rubdown.

This wiping or washing is done once a day in the morning on rising from bed, when the whole body is still warm. This procedure, as well as refreshing, cooling, completely awakens from sleep, makes a person fresh, strong, cheerful from the very beginning of the day. There can be no question of wasting time here, because a complete wiping is done in one minute and you can immediately get to work.

Rubbing the body

It is best to wipe the body in the following way: take a rough towel, moisten it in cold water and start wiping from the chest and abdomen, then move to the back. It is impossible to give rules on how to wash your back, everyone knows for himself how it is more convenient for him. Finally, after that, they wipe their hands and feet. This should take at most 2 minutes. Any rubdown that lasts longer than this time may be harmful. It is necessary to ensure that there is no draft at this time. After that, dress quickly and make energetic movements until the whole body is warm.

Rubbing for the sick

Used in bed to harden the body of the patient. Start with tepid water at 27-29°C and each subsequent rubdown gradually lowers the temperature. In intense heat, it is the most gentle of all procedures, which is easily tolerated by weak patients. In this case, the water is immediately taken cold from 20 to 26 ° C. Add a little vinegar to the water. The patient rises, if he is weak, then he is lifted, a coarse towel is wetted in cold water, moderately squeezed, and with uniform movements they quickly wipe his back first, and then his chest, stomach and arms, and cover the wiped parts with a blanket. Many recommend doing.

Then they lift the blanket from the side of the legs, first they wipe one leg, and then the other, and cover it with a blanket. Rubdown is repeated until the body feels cool to the touch. With a strong elevated temperature, especially in typhoid, these rubdowns play a major role, they replace for debilitated patients full baths and rubdowns in wet sheets, which they cannot bear.

Trituration

Rubbing in its thermal effect is much stronger than wiping or washing, since in this case the entire surface of the body is immediately exposed to cold, which experiences a real concussion from such a cold irritation, which is transmitted with the speed of electricity to nerve centers head and spinal cord, stimulating especially the nerves that regulate respiratory and cardiac movements.

Under the influence of cold, the blood vessels constrict, and then, under the influence of vigorous rubbing, the vessels dilate again, and the blood is diverted from the depths of the body to the surface of the skin, which entails warming the skin, but, since it is surrounded by a cold wet sheet, it naturally gives part of its heat, which also begins to warm up and must be again immersed in cold water or poured over with water. This rubbing acts in strong heat and in a strengthening way in various diseases: diseases of the lungs (emphysema, tuberculosis), diseases of the heart, catarrh of the intestines (diarrhea) and anemia.

Rubbing at temperature

With these diseases, a strong removal of heat is not allowed, so water is taken at 17.2-27.5 degrees. Of course, with a strong temperature of the patient (40-41 gr.), Water is taken colder at 16-17 degrees.

Sometimes it is necessary to apply the coldest (icy) - this is with the most terrible of diseases - cholera, when in its last stage there is a breakdown, the patient's skin becomes pale, almost blue, and the body temperature drops below normal due to the fact that the blood has strongly rushed to the internal organs , from here and severe diarrhea. In general, not only when rubbing, but also with any other water procedures, with low temperature body must be preheated.

But with cholera, procedures with water are no longer dependent on body temperature. When trying to save the patient, you need to take the coldest water. After rubbing, the cholera patient should be wrapped in several woolen blankets and covered with a downy feather bed to make him sweat. If this succeeds, then the patient is saved. Since strong irritation of the nerves of the whole organism is associated with wet-cold rubbing in the sheet, this procedure is not applicable where the patient has increased painful irritability of the nerves, with severe neurasthenia, psychosis and atherosclerosis, in which an increase in blood pressure, with internal inflammation of various organs and bleeding.

I think it goes without saying that after this procedure, the patient goes back to bed, while the healthy get dressed and make vigorous movements in the air or at home. You can drink or. I want to add that we can regulate the amount of heat taken away by this procedure by weak or strong squeezing of the sheet.

A sheet that drips off water takes more heat away than a sheet that is well wrung out. A thin sheet takes away less heat than a coarse thick one. If the skin is too sensitive, tender and irritable, you need to take thinner sheets.

Rubbing techniques

To perform the reception, you must have: an assistant, a bucket of water with a certain temperature, a small rug or straw mat, two sheets of coarse thick linen of the largest sizes.

The procedure is as follows: the patient becomes in a large basin, at the bottom of which there is a litter, to him. cool the head by placing a wet towel on it, and pre-cool the neck and back with a wet hand. Can be received using

Then the assistant takes a slightly wrung out sheet and puts it in front, winding one end of the sheet on the right side of the armpit, the patient presses it right hand, draws it across the chest and through the left armpit, the patient presses it with his left hand, passing through his back, throws a sheet over his right shoulder and crossing the right shoulder, again puts it on his chest, then over the left shoulder again brings the sheet to his back and lays the tip under the sheet around the neck so that it holds well.

It is necessary to try to make the whole wrapping smooth and without folds, only in this case the body quickly and evenly heats up during rubbing. All this must be done very quickly. To do this, you should already practice on healthy people so as not to lose valuable time during the hours of danger and not to risk the trouble of improperly performing this technique, which will only lead the patient into a state of great excitement and negate the whole effect useful application water. At the end of the wrap, the helping person begins rubbing, making quick, vigorous up and down motions throughout the body, picking up the pace.

First, the chest, abdomen and back are treated, then the neck, shoulders and arms, and finally the legs. The duration of this entire procedure should not exceed 3-5 minutes. and should end immediately, as soon as the whole body becomes warm to the touch. They take off the wet sheet and throw a dry one over it and rub it again.