Changchun, Harbin: Tips?

Right on point Minghei. Khabzela and Sabrina, you guys ever figured out how FDR contracted polio? 

I've been vaccinated, thank you very much.

You know what, I was against jumping in freezing waters but now that you guys are such wet blankets about it, I'll probably jump in with Khabz.

Youtube, here I come...

The thing about taking a cold shower is that it completely gets u alert and ready for the day. The nasty stuff happens only on the first few seconds when the water initially hits ur body. After that, wierd as it might seem,.. ur body actually warms up. Honestly i dont remember the last time i got sick since i started my winter morning showers.

Oh and another thing,...hangovers are terrified like hell of cold showers.

below are some of the benefits :

In an article from http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/showers.html the following benefits of cold water were noted


Brings blood to the capillaries, therefore increasing circulation throughout the body.

Cleans the circulatory system.

Reduces blood pressure on internal organs.

Provides flushing for the organs and provides a new supply of blood.

Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

Contracts the muscles to eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes.

Strengthens the mucous membranes, which help resist hay fever, allergies, colds, coughs


Look i aint one of them tofu eating, incense burning, ying and yang types, but i tell u this stuff works.

Anyways here's a few sites u might wanna check out on winter swimming:

http://www.timeout.com/london/sport/features/4189/Open-air_swimming.html


http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/428670/good_for_what_ails_you_finns_go_ice_swimming/index.html?source=r_health

I don't think you can compare cold showers indoors with winter swimming in a lake.

Water from the tap may not be that pure but it'll definitely freeze solid somewhere around 0°C.  Water from the lake is salty, so it's got a lower freezing point & is most likely below 0°C during winter.  Worse, as soon as you get out of the water, you'll have to face the freezing cold wind (even colder than the water) against your wet skin.

Good luck!

I wouldn't do it for the health benefits (I do ok with a glass of orange juice every morning).  I'd do it for the sake of adding one more thing to my list of "crazy things you've done in your life".