What you should know before participating in a polar plunge this New Year
Polar plunges have become extremely popular ways to ring in the New Year, but they can have both benefits and risks for your health.
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00:00 As we head to the new year, you know it can be a milestone for one unique way to start the calendar year.
00:06 We're talking about polar plunges. You know those polar bear plunges where people take a short dip into icy waters.
00:13 You've probably heard of them and maybe you've even done one.
00:15 I've never done one myself, but I've most certainly been thinking about it a lot here.
00:19 And here, with more on the benefits and possible risks, is Dr. Chris Bozzoli.
00:24 He's an ER doctor with a specialty in wilderness and environmental medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.
00:29 First of all, what a cool specialty. And second of all, thanks for joining us.
00:34 Good morning. Thanks so much for having me.
00:36 Absolutely. Let's dig in, Dr. Bozzoli. From your experience,
00:39 what is the origin and motivation for people who want to do those polar bear plunges?
00:45 So from what I can tell, kind of the early 1900s, groups started to ring in the new years with these polar plunges across Canada and the UK especially.
00:58 And they've kind of evolved over the years and oftentimes now are charity events or group challenge events, as you can see with your video right there.
01:13 Yeah, it looks like a lot of people taking part in the one right there.
01:15 And I feel like that's certainly the case, as you see it for a lot of big groups.
01:19 Now, here's the thing. Jumping into icy waters, it's that shock to the system, right?
01:23 But let's talk about it in terms of your own health. And we were just chatting behind the scenes.
01:27 I've even seen a lot of people doing backyard cold plunges lately that have kind of a similar effect.
01:32 Is there anything that people need to think about in terms of their health before taking that leap?
01:38 Absolutely. Jumping into freezing or near freezing water certainly can pose a health risk.
01:44 So it's important if you have any cardiac conditions or significant health conditions or even a strong family history of heart conditions,
01:54 irregular heartbeats or sudden death, to talk with your doctor first to make sure that this is something that is safe.
02:03 Plunging into cold water is a big shock to the system. And we can have effects like skipping heartbeats, irregular heartbeats.
02:13 It changes your circulation pretty rapidly and so can shift fluid and kind of flood the pump, so to speak, as well as cause a reflex to gas for air.
02:24 So there are some some reason for caution.
02:29 And if you if you have medical conditions or strong family history, you should you should talk with your doctor.
02:35 This should also be done in a safe manner.
02:36 And so most of the sponsored events are going to be done in a safe manner where there's an AED on site.
02:43 If somebody did go into an irregular heart rhythm, there's going to be things like lifeguards or safety guards who can fish you out of the water because hypothermia can set in in just a matter of minutes.
02:55 Oh, wow. OK, definitely scary to think about. But let's talk about a positive side, perhaps as well.
03:01 Are there benefits to doing a polar plunge or to doing some cold plunges?
03:06 Certainly there are benefits. You know, it brings people together and it's a shared challenge, which we know psychologically is really important.
03:13 And it's oftentimes done around the New Year or to celebrate the New Year.
03:17 And so kind of turning a leaf, you know, I come from a subspecialty of wilderness and environmental medicine.
03:26 And so I really like this quote out of the American Journal of Sociology by Stephen Ling.
03:34 So it is even more startling to realize that these people value risk taking because it's the only means they have for achieving a sense of self-determination, authenticity.
03:42 The same society that offers so much in the way of material quality of life also propels many of us to the limits of our existence in search of ourselves and our humanity.
03:51 So it's that shared experience, that shared challenge that can release a lot of endorphins, not to mention the cold water shock.
04:00 Changes in your circulation and a general feeling of being alive, which is important.
04:06 Absolutely love it. I mean, nothing like that good feeling of, well, that rush of adrenaline.
04:10 We'll just call it that. We only have another 45 seconds or so, doctor, but I'd love to ask for the folks who for the folks who decide a polar plunge is not for them.
04:18 Any thoughts on alternative ways to begin the new year in a healthy fashion?
04:23 Absolutely. And so I think I think a lot of the same keys that are brought together in a polar plunge.
04:28 So be with people that you care about. Get some exercise.
04:32 Try to get some sunshine. And if you can do all of that for some greater purpose or a shared sense of belonging,
04:40 those are all really great foundations on a really fun and meaningful time with people you care about.
04:48 Absolutely love it. Dr. Chris Pizzoli, ER doctor with a specialty in wilderness and environmental medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.
04:54 Thank you so much for joining us. And hey, happy early new year.
04:58 Thank you so much to you as well. All right. Thanks for being here.