Water healing, main types and principles. Types of therapeutic water procedures: shower, bath, sauna Intensive water procedures


For human life, water takes first place. Our body consists of 70% water, it takes part in most physiological processes in organism. Without it, digestion, metabolism, synthesis in cells, removal of toxins from the body and many biological processes are impossible.

Being the source of life, water has the most beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole.

Daily water treatments- rubbing, hardening, dousing, showers and baths help strengthen the body. Thanks to them, the speed of chemical reactions in the body increases, the activity of the central and vegetative nervous system, thermoregulation improves. Water speeds up thinking, the work of all organs becomes more coordinated, the body is charged with vigor and strength, the skin becomes fresh, beautiful and pleasant.

Water procedures enhance the protective reactions of the entire body and many organs, sometimes in different parts bodies. Thus, foot baths have a beneficial effect on the blood vessels of the brain, and hand baths have a beneficial effect on the blood vessels. chest.

The effect of various baths on the human body is primarily determined by the temperature of the water.

Hot baths and wraps

Baths with elevated temperature water (from 38 degrees) helps relieve liver and renal colic for diseases abdominal cavity, muscle tension and help recovery from colds.

However, hot baths for colds and flu can only be taken if there is no fever. If it does rise, it must first be normalized and then treatment continued. In such cases, it is effective to replace baths with wraps using hot towels. To begin with, the breasts should be wrapped in two cotton towels, not rolled very tightly. Place terry towels on top, folded as described above, soaked in hot water (60-65 degrees) and wrung out. Then continue wrapping using folded woolen cloth and finally cover the body with a warm blanket for 20 minutes. After the time has passed, put on a warm cotton shirt, preferably with sleeves, and cover yourself with a warm blanket. Keep warm in this way for at least an hour, and it is best to do the hot procedure before bed.

Hot baths should not be taken if you have heart disease or vascular systems, thrombophlebitis, active pulmonary tuberculosis, infectious diseases, during pregnancy.

Warm baths

Baths with water temperatures not exceeding body, approximately 36-37 degrees, have a relaxing effect on the body, taken to relieve tension, fatigue, muscle tone, improve mood, improve night sleep. They help reduce blood pressure, dilation of blood vessels and increased secretion of bile and improvement of gastric secretion. The gentle warmth of a bath is relaxing muscle tissue, increases the functions of hormonal regulators. Warm baths are recommended for diseases of the nervous system, internal organs and musculoskeletal system.

Indifferent baths

The water temperature drops by one degree from 35 to 33.

Cool and cold baths

The temperature of cool baths ranges from +21 to + 33 degrees.

The temperature of cold baths is from +20 degrees and below.

Such baths have a stimulating effect on the body and a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. They help harden the body, increase the tone of smooth muscles, increase heart contractions and increase blood pressure, and stimulate metabolism.

Cold and hot shower

The most effective water procedure, without a doubt, is cold and hot shower– alternating hot and cold water. Hot water is usually used at a temperature of +39-40 degrees, and cold water is +18-20 degrees. To ensure the effect on the body is effective, alternations must be repeated at least five times.

A contrast shower is an excellent way to train blood vessels. It helps strengthen of cardio-vascular system, activation metabolic processes in the body, increased blood circulation, protective properties, healing and rejuvenation.

Most people's living conditions allow them to take baths and showers in a pleasant home environment. However, it is important to remember that you can stay in hot baths for no more than 5 minutes, warm baths are recommended from 10 to 20 minutes, indifferent – ​​from 15 to 40 minutes, cool – no more than 10, and cold – from 2 to 5 minutes.

Water treatments have amazing life-giving powers.

Be healthy, beautiful, strong physically and spiritually!

With sincere respect, Tatyana

Hydrotherapy or hydrotherapy is the use of water in general and local procedures carried out for therapeutic and preventive purposes. Therapeutic effect due to the temperature, mechanical and chemical influence of water and depends on the methodology.

Water procedures are not recommended for hypothermia and fatigue. In this case, you should warm up and rest.The degree of thermal effect of water depends on its temperature. According to this indicator, cold procedures are distinguished (below 20 °C), cool (20–33 °C), indifferent (34–36 °C) and hot (over 40 °C).

The use of water procedures should be strictly individual, i.e., determined by the patient’s underlying disease, as well as concomitant diseases. The water procedure must be carried out quickly, for this you also need to have appropriate clothing with you.

For weakened and elderly patients, it is better to limit themselves to a warm bath and shower.Water procedures must be coordinated and discussed with your doctor!

Medicinal recipes

Arthritis

Cold compress: soak a towel in cold water and wring it out. Apply to the sore joint. The duration of the procedure is 15–20 minutes.

Hot compress: soak a towel in hot water and wring it out. Apply to the sore joint. The duration of the procedure is 15–20 minutes.

Epsom salt bath: Add 2 handfuls of Epsom salts to your bath hot water, carry out the procedure for 15–20 minutes. Such baths are contraindicated for elderly people or those suffering from hypertension.

Asthma

Baths with increasing water temperature: immerse your arms up to your elbows in the bath. The initial temperature is 36–37 °C. Add hot water every 2 minutes so that the temperature rises by 0.5 °C. Complete the procedure after 20 minutes, pour cold water first right, then left hand starting from your fingertips to your shoulders. Dry your hands and lie down for 30–40 minutes.

Such baths have a relaxing effect on the muscles of the bronchi, preventing and relieving an asthmatic attack.

Insomnia

Sitz cold bath: pour water into the bath so that it reaches the lower abdomen. The duration of the procedure is 1–2 minutes.

Baths with a gradual increase in water temperature for the lower body: fill the bath with water (water temperature – 36–37 °C). After 2 minutes, gradually add hot water. Raise the temperature of the bath water until it reaches 39–42 °C. The water temperature must be increased so slowly that you do not feel any burning or chills. After 20 minutes, it is recommended to douse yourself with cold water or take a cold shower, then rest.

A sore throat

Wrapping the neck: wipe the neck with a damp towel, then wrap it with a dry, rough bandage in 3-4 turns so that there is no access to air. The duration of the procedure is 1 hour.

Neck wrap: Wrap a soft towel soaked in cold water around your neck. Wrap a dry towel over it, and then a woolen bandage. The duration of the procedure is no more than 1 hour.

Backache

Hot compress: To relieve pain from muscle strains and sciatica, you can apply a towel soaked in hot water and wrung out.

Alternating hot and cold compresses: apply a towel soaked in hot water and wrung out to the sore spot for 2 minutes, then replace it with a towel soaked in cold water for 1 minute. Alternate compresses for 15 minutes.

Warm baths: place a mattress made of porous material or a terry towel at the bottom of the bath. Fill the bath 10 cm with water (water temperature – 36–37 °C). Lie down on the mattress with a rubber pillow under your head. Add hot water at intervals of 2-3 minutes, increasing the temperature by 0.5 °C each time. Carry out the procedure for 10–15 minutes, when finished, take a cold shower and lie down for 30 minutes.

Pain in the neck

Hot compress: soak a towel in hot water, fold and squeeze well. Unfold the towel and place it on top part back, neck and shoulders. Cover with a dry towel. Keep the compress for 10 minutes. This procedure is primarily useful for pain caused by muscle stiffness.

Phlebeurysm

Alternating hot and cold compresses: Apply compresses to affected areas for 30 seconds. Repeat the sequence 3 times. The last compress should be cold. It is recommended to carry out the procedure once a day.

Bloating

Compress on the body: moisten the blanket with water, cover it so that the body is covered, then wrap it in a woolen blanket on top. Carry out the procedure for 30–40 minutes.

Compress on the torso and back: place the soaked blanket on a bed covered with oilcloth. Lie down on it, apply another compress to your torso and cover yourself with a woolen blanket. The duration of the procedure is 30–40 minutes.

Alternating hot and cold compresses: place a towel soaked in hot water on your stomach, then put a towel soaked in cold water for 1 minute. Repeat the procedure several times.

Haemorrhoids

Alternate hot and cold baths: each bath should last approximately 1–2 minutes.

Hypertension

Cold foot bath: pour cold water into a basin (in some cases you can start with cool water), lower your feet into the basin. The duration of the procedure is 5–7 minutes.

Warm foot bath: pour warm water, add 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water. Place your feet in the water. The duration of the procedure is 10–15 minutes.

Alternating hot and cold foot baths: pour hot water into one container and cold water into the other. Soak your feet in hot water for 3 minutes and then in cold water for 1 minute. Repeat this procedure 3–4 times.

Headache

Alternating hot and cold compresses: wring out a towel soaked in hot water and apply to the back of the head for 2 minutes. Then replace it with a towel soaked in cold water for 1 minute. Alternate for 10–15 minutes.

Spinal diseases

Pouring the back: first, pour from the heels to the back of the head, then from the neck down to the lower edge of the sacrum and on the other side from the right to the left shoulder blade. Pouring the back should always be accompanied or ended with a quick wash of the chest, abdomen and arms.

Constipation

Alternating hot and cold compresses: soak a towel in hot water, wring it out, apply it to the stomach for 3 minutes, then replace it with a towel soaked in cold water, which should be held for 1 minute. Alternate compresses for 10-15 minutes.

Stones in the kidneys

Hot baths with oat straw decoction: boil the straw for 30 minutes, use the decoction to prepare a warm bath with a water temperature of about 30 °C. It is recommended to take this bath no longer than 25 minutes. After completing the procedure, you should wash your body with cold water and wipe dry with a towel.

Intestinal colic

Compress on the stomach: soaked in warm water thick fabric Place on the lower abdomen and cover with a warm blanket on top. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.

Alternating hot and cold compresses: hold a hot compress (towel soaked in hot water, wrapped over a dry towel) for 3 minutes, then replace it with a cold compress for 1 minute. Alternate cold and hot compresses for 20 minutes. Finish with a hot compress.

Calluses

Steam foot bath: fill a basin with boiling water, place your feet on the edge of the basin and cover with a thick blanket. The duration of the procedure is 10–15 minutes. It is not recommended to do such baths more than once a week.

Muscle tension

Cold compress: To reduce pain, it is recommended to apply a bandage soaked in cold water to the affected area every 30 minutes. Keep the compress for 5 minutes.

Hot compress: to reduce pain syndrome It is recommended to apply a bandage soaked in hot water to the affected area every 30 minutes. Keep the compress for 5 minutes.

Osteochondrosis

Compress on the back: place a blanket soaked in warm water on a bed previously covered with oilcloth, lie on your back and cover yourself with a wool blanket. The procedure takes 45 minutes. This compress has a beneficial effect on back pain and osteochondrosis.

Rheumatism

Pouring hands: Pouring should begin with the hands, moving up to the shoulders. Usually a similar procedure is carried out for both hands. To pour each hand you will need approximately 15 liters of water.

Fatigue

Leg wraps: wrap your legs in a wet linen bandage to the knees, and wrap tightly on top with a dry piece of woolen material. Go to bed for 2–3 hours.

A warm bath helps with fatigue caused by stress.

Alternating cold and hot showers improves blood circulation and restores strength, increases muscle tone, gives strength, and improves immunity.

Tired legs

Alternating hot and cold compresses: apply a hot compress to your feet for 2 minutes, then a cold compress for 1 minute.

Cold foot baths: keep your feet in a basin of cold water for 1-2 minutes.

Alternating hot and cold foot baths: pour hot water into one basin, cold water into the other. Soak your feet in hot water for 2 minutes and then in cold water for 1 minute. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times.

In which water is used as a therapeutic and prophylactic factor.

History of hydrotherapy

The healing properties of fresh and mineral water have been known since ancient times and are mentioned in the Indian Vedas. Pythagoras, Hippocrates, Asclepiades, Avicenna, Antony Musa (Octavian's physician) used this knowledge to treat many diseases.

The Middle Ages brought oblivion to physiotherapy, and only in the 18th century did Europe remember hydrotherapy. Over the centuries, the knowledge of ancient peoples was supplemented with new data, techniques were improved, their use in medicine expanded, but the approach to the study of hydrotherapy was only empirical.

Scientific research into this type of physiotherapy began in the 19th century thanks to Russian and European scientists. Alexander Nikitin, a general physician, in 1825 described the law of antagonism, which talks about the opposite interaction between the vessels of the skin and the abdominal cavity: when taking cold baths, the vessels of the skin narrow and the abdominal cavity expands; when treated with hot baths, the vessels of the skin expand and the abdominal the cavities, on the contrary, narrow.

Dr. Kneipp promoted cold water treatment at the end of the 19th century, and the scientist Wilhelm Winternitz became the first teacher of hydrotherapy and founder of the department of hydrotherapy at the University of Vienna in 1899.

Mudrov, Pirogov, Botkin and other domestic doctors actively and successfully used balneotherapy (from the Latin balneum - bath, bathing) in the treatment of many diseases.

Speaking about physiotherapy, one cannot fail to mention the Zakharyin-Ged zones, named after the names of two great scientists who led scientific works completely apart from each other, but coming to general opening– comparison of individual areas of the skin to certain internal organs. Impact on certain areas of the skin with wraps or compresses has a therapeutic effect on the corresponding organs.

Mechanisms of action on the body

According to the area of ​​influence, hydrotherapy techniques can be general (on the entire surface of the body) and local (half baths, on the limbs, certain zones and areas, projection of internal organs, washing).

Due to its high heat capacity and thermal conductivity, as well as its pronounced ability to dissolve gases and salts, water has the following types of effects on the body: temperature, chemical and mechanical.

Temperature effect

Depending on the water temperature, there are cold procedures (less than 20 °C), cool (from 20 to 25 °C), warm (up to 33 °C), hot (about 40 °C) and contrast.

Cold exposure causes a spasm of the blood vessels in the skin, followed by their expansion and an increase in the speed of blood flow. In addition, the production of adrenaline (adrenal glands) and thyroxine ( thyroid), which enhances tissue metabolism and the function of internal organs.

Thermal influence stimulates metabolism, tissue trophism, blood supply and lymph circulation, increases secretory function stomach and pancreas, inhibits intestinal motility, anesthetizes, soothes, relieves muscle spasm, stimulates the immune system and the function of the endocrine system.

Contrast procedures have a pronounced stimulating effect, centralize blood circulation, train blood vessels, improve myocardial contractility, as well as feedback between muscles and the central nervous system, and stimulate metabolic processes.

Chemical exposure

Reflex action on skin receptors and respiratory system temperature or chemical factors provoke a certain response from the nervous system. The impulse is then sent to the internal organs, causing a vascular reaction corresponding to the resulting change in the skin vessels.

In addition to the above, while taking mineral baths on the skin and Airways substances dissolved in water are affected, then they are absorbed into the blood and cause corresponding changes in the internal organs.


Physical impact

The most significant intensity of physical impact (compression and massage) is felt when taking showers and baths with water movement (jacuzzi, hydromassage). During this procedure, the skin vessels dilate, increasing with increasing pressure of the water jet.

Hydrostatic pressure affects the body when taking baths, swimming in natural or artificial reservoirs. It is difficult to name specific values ​​of pressure on the human body - it depends on the degree of immersion in water. In the bath at full immersion On average, the body experiences pressure on the limbs of 50 cm of water column, and about 10 cm of water column on the chest. This pressure affects the vessels and causes a compressive narrowing of their lumen, resulting in the distribution of blood from the saphenous veins and abdominal cavity to the heart, and the preload increases. Therefore, for diseases of the cardiovascular system, baths with immersion to a maximum of chest level in a sitting position are prescribed.

Directions of hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy includes two broad areas: hydrotherapy and balneotherapy.

Hydrotherapy

This is used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. fresh water(lake, river, water, rain). Hydrotherapy techniques are listed below.

  • circular;
  • rain;
  • dusty;
  • cascade;
  • Charcot (simultaneously exposed to hot and cold water);
  • contrasting;
  • Vichy;
  • ascending;
  • fan;

2. Underwater shower-massage;

  • hydromassage baths - jacuzzi - massage is carried out with gas bubbles or water jets. Depending on the equipment, whirlpools, music, light, geysers, and magnetic fields can be added to the design.
  • pearl;
  • vortex;

4. ;
5. ;
6. Wraps;
7. Compresses;
8. Steam procedures;
9. Exercise therapy in water - hydrokinesiotherapy.

Balneotherapy

This is used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. mineral waters natural or artificial origin. Balneotherapy techniques are listed below.

  1. Hydrogen sulfide;
  2. Iodine-bromine;
  3. Radon;
  4. Conifers;
  5. Bishofite;
  6. Turpentine;
  7. Nitrogen thermal;
  8. Carbon dioxide;
  9. Siliceous thermal;
  10. Chloride;
  11. Arsenic;
  12. Rapa – highly concentrated mineral waters;
  13. With sea salt;
  14. With essential oils;
  15. Contrast - to improve blood circulation ( obliterating endarteritis, varicose veins, hypotension, skin diseases);
  16. Mineral pools - for physical therapy.

Radon or sulfide water is used.

  1. Local;
  2. Are common;
  3. Rising;
  4. Irrigation;
  5. Massage;
  6. Underwater shower-massage.

Inhalations:

Hydrocarbonate, iodine-bromine, chloride, sulfide and radon waters are used. The technique is similar medicinal inhalations. A course of 10-15 procedures is carried out for about 10 minutes.

Drinking mineral waters

As a rule, this technique uses sodium chloride, ferruginous, nitrogen-siliceous waters. The dosage regimen, temperature, quantity, composition of the medicinal drink and course time are prescribed by the doctor.


Therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy has a number of effects on the human body positive effects. As a result of these procedures, the following changes occur in organs and tissues:

  • blood circulation improves;
  • metabolic processes are activated;
  • relaxation occurs;
  • the walls of blood vessels are trained;
  • tissue repair and regeneration, skin turgor and elasticity improves;
  • pain relief occurs;
  • there is a psychological effect: improved sleep, well-being, development of stress resistance;
  • immunity is stimulated.

General indications

For each hydrotherapy method, there are special indications that must be taken into account when a doctor prescribes hydrotherapy. Below are general indications for hydrotherapy.

  • Disease prevention;
  • Depressive states, fatigue, sleep disturbances;
  • Diseases of the nervous system, including the consequences of strokes;
  • Cellulite, obesity;
  • Skin diseases;
  • Damages of the cardiovascular system;
  • Consequences of injuries, diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
  • Pathologies gastrointestinal tract, metabolic disease;
  • Diseases of the endocrine system;
  • Violations menstrual cycle, diseases of the genitourinary system;
  • Respiratory diseases;
  • Some diseases of the blood and hematopoietic organs;
  • Eye diseases.

General contraindications

You need to know that for each specific method of hydrotherapy there are special contraindications that must be taken into account when choosing a particular method of hydrotherapy. The following are diseases, the presence of which is a contraindication for any type of hydrotherapy until they are eliminated.

  • Acute diseases;
  • Neoplastic processes;
  • Glaucoma;
  • Thrombophlebitis;
  • Tendency to bleeding;
  • Transient cerebrovascular accidents;
  • Insufficiency of blood supply above stage Ib, renal failure;
  • Severe vascular atherosclerosis;
  • Hypertension above stage III;
  • Less than 1 year after a heart attack or stroke;
  • Decompensation of coronary artery disease;
  • Cachexia;
  • Epilepsy;
  • Mental illnesses that do not allow the patient to control their behavior;
  • Procedures are temporarily contraindicated during menstruation;
  • Individual intolerance.

Purpose

Baths or showers are used 1 hour before meals and 2 hours after.

Hydrotherapy is prescribed in courses of 10-20 procedures daily or every other day. It is recommended to repeat the treatment cycle after six months.

The procedures have an aftereffect - the results of the treatment last for the next 4-6 months.

TV channel “Moscow-24”, “Lifestyle” program on the topic “Hydrotherapy”:

To traditional types of water cosmetic procedures include contrast showers, baths, baths and saunas. They help shape your figure, remove toxins, improve skin condition and normalize the nervous system.

Rational use of water procedures in combination with physical activity And proper nutrition able to keep the body in good shape. It’s not for nothing that contrast douches and baths are often included in the list of recommendations for losing weight.
How does water affect the body? Cold water reflexively causes a temporary narrowing of the skin peripheral vessels (they contain 30% of human blood), which entails the distillation of blood into internal organs and the brain, which receive additional nutrition and oxygen during this time. Therefore, it is recommended to wash your face and hands with cold water 3-4 times during the day. When we talk about hot water, we mean a temperature higher than body temperature, and when we talk about cold water, we mean lower.

Cold water is not always good for the body. Scientists have proven that if you drink
food with ice water, then its residence time in the stomach is reduced from 4-5 hours
up to 20 minutes. In this case, the body simply does not have time to get enough
and the feeling of hunger worsens again, which threatens to become overweight.

What are the types of water procedures?

Hydrotherapy procedures are divided into general and local. General ones have an effect on the entire surface of the body. These include baths, all types of showers (circular, contrast, regular, Charcot shower), rubdowns, swimming in the pool and natural reservoirs.
Local water procedures have a direct effect on a limited area of ​​the body. These can be local medicinal baths for individual parts body (arms, legs), ascending shower, wet compresses, vaporization and lotions. At home, the most acceptable are general and local baths, contrast and regular showers, as well as a variety of compresses and lotions.

Losing weight with water

The most available methods losing weight with water - contrast showers, saunas and general baths. Cool moisture has a tonic effect on the body, which increases energy consumption for heat production, and therefore accelerates the burning of subcutaneous fat. There is also an excellent cosmetic effect - prevention of wrinkles. Hot water opens the pores, allowing them to be cleansed of impurities and the body of toxins. Metabolism is normalized, processes of lipid tissue breakdown are activated.
When applied locally, water acts exactly where it is needed, activating the breakdown of fats in problem areas. For these purposes, hydromassage and local baths are successfully used.

A diet on ice water is also dangerous because putrefactive processes can begin.
in the intestines, since food is not completely digested. To avoid unpleasant
consequences, it is necessary to avoid cold drinks before and after meals.
Their optimal temperature- room

Hot or cold?

Rapid changes in water temperature cause microstress, which helps to activate all functions, improve blood circulation, metabolic processes, strengthen tissues and, in particular, skin. Short-term action of alternately cold and hot water increases the tone of the body: relieves fatigue, lethargy, drowsiness, clears memory.
To cheer up, a short (2-5 seconds) cold shower is recommended, which can be used to complete the bathing procedure. However, for people with increased nervous excitability, as well as those suffering from rheumatism and radiculitis, cold water can be harmful. Most often these procedures are done in the morning. In the evening, take a warm shower so as not to provoke insomnia.

Expert: Galina Filippova, general practitioner, candidate medical sciences
Natalia Karpova

Photos used in this material belong to shutterstock.com

Rubbing. It is carried out with a terry mitten or a terry towel dipped in water, in the following sequence: arms, legs, chest, stomach, back. The direction of movements when wiping is from the periphery to the center (from the hand to the shoulder, from the foot to the thigh, etc.). Each part of the body is wiped separately and then wiped dry. The duration of the entire procedure is 1 – 2 minutes.

The water temperature decreases by 1 - 2 degrees every 10 days. For younger schoolchildren, the initial temperature in winter is 32 - 30 degrees, in summer - 28 - 26 degrees; the final temperature is 22 - 20 and 18 - 16 degrees Celsius, respectively. For middle and older schoolchildren in winter it is 30 - 28, in summer - 26 - 24 degrees Celsius; the final value is 20 – 18 and 16 – 14 degrees Celsius, respectively. Rubbing is recommended to be done in the morning after exercise or after exercise after sleep: in winter - indoors, in summer - outdoors (with open windows).

Pouring. It is made from a jug, watering can, shower, holding them at a distance of 20 - 25 cm from the body to avoid the strong mechanical impact of the water flow, in the following order: back, chest, stomach, left, right hand, left, right leg. You don't have to wet your head. The initial water temperature for primary schoolchildren in winter is not lower than 30 degrees Celsius, in summer – not lower than 28 degrees Celsius, and the final water temperature is 20 and 18 degrees Celsius, respectively. Its reduction is carried out gradually every 10 days. For middle and junior schoolchildren, the initial water temperature in winter is 28, and in summer - 24 °C, the final water temperature is 20 and 15 °C, respectively. The total duration of the procedure is 1 – 1.5 minutes. After dousing, you need to wipe the body dry. For children who are weakened or have suffered a serious illness, for adolescents during puberty, it is recommended to replace dousing with rubbing. It is better to start these procedures in the second half of summer, when, as a result of even passive hardening, the body’s resistance to cold will increase somewhat. You should not rub your body very vigorously after the procedures. This is explained by the following reasons. The purpose of hardening is to train the physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation, and vigorous rubbing until the skin turns red causes an influx of warm blood from the deep parts of the body. In this way, the time of cold exposure is stopped and limited, and the physiological mechanism of thermoregulation is weaned from independently combating cooling. The effect of hardening procedures is reduced.

Rubbing can be used at the beginning of the course when hardening children, people with poor health, and with an insufficient level of physical development. But there is no need to abuse it and use it after each hardening procedure.

Swimming in open water– one of the most potent forms of hardening. After all, it includes sun and air baths, as well as the effects of all the above water procedures. The body is affected by a whole complex of natural factors - sun, air and water.

Summer swimming has a beneficial effect on the body: the functioning of the circulatory, respiratory, and excretory systems (kidneys, skin) improves, and muscle tone increases. Positive emotions create a feeling of cheerfulness, lightness, and increase performance. Already in the first 3–4 weeks of systematic bathing, sleep improves and appetite increases.

Swimming in indoor pools. Swimming and bathing in kindergartens with indoor pools are one of the most powerful water hardening methods used year-round. The hardening factors in this case are water, which has a mechanical, cooling effect, and air, which ensures the evaporation of moisture from skin. This type of hardening is carried out under the supervision of a swimming instructor and the supervision of a nursery school doctor. You can start it from the age of 3. In this case, the temperature of the air in the room should be at least +25 degrees and water at least +23 degrees. The duration of bathing is from 3 to 8(?) minutes no more than once a day.

Physical exercises and hardening.

It is advisable to use healthy running in the open air in lightweight (!) clothes as part of your daily routine all year round. It is recommended to carry it out during outdoor physical education or morning exercises.