Practice diving to get calm

Scientists from St Petersburg (Russia) have come up with a new way to reduce stress and boost the immune system, based on observing dive mammals that have been carried out for years.

They came to the conclusion that submerging in cold water helps reduce stress and initiate body protection forces.

The biological group of St Petersburg National University has conducted observations of otters, beavers, water rats and a range of mammals that can swim. Like humans, when immersed in cold water, animals also suffer from extreme impacts. Thanks to the long evolutionary period, they trained themselves to protect the cardiovascular system.

Photo: cesti.gov.vn

When diving into the water stream, the animals switch to oxygen-consuming consumption mode, the heartbeat slows and circulation also decreases. The body redistributes blood from the extremities of organs that cannot be oxygenated: the heart and the brain. The reverse process occurs when animals swim up to the surface of the water: blood drains from the brain and heart, evenly distributed throughout the body's organs.

Studies have found that this regulatory mechanism is also available in humans and they call it recessive reflex . However, in order to mobilize dive reflexes, it is not necessary to immerse the whole person, but just soak the face in cold water at a temperature no higher than 10-12 degrees in the room temperature. A breathing diagram made by St Petersburg scientists is an important factor in this method.

Doctors note that during the dive process, the heart rate will be halved. In addition, the dive reflex activates the anti-stress protection mechanism and restricts excessive secretion of adrenaline that weakens the body.

Soaking your face in cold water frees your heart rate, eliminates stress and boosts immunity. This method will support those with limited exercise. Of course, researchers warn that before diving, people should consult their doctor, especially in terms of setting the diving mode and frequency.