Siberia has apparently found the secret to never getting sick: prancing in -15 degree weather in bathing suits and pouring freezing cold water over themselves!
This bizarre practice is regularly performed by the students and teachers in No. 317 kindergarten. Apparently, this ritual prevents the students from contracting the flu virus and winter colds.
The young students are given a cold shower before they run around in the early morning wintery weather, barefoot and clad only in their bathing suits or underwear and pour buckets of freezing cold water over their heads. They then immediately go into a steaming hot sauna for a short while, before returning outside for another round of freezing fun. What’s more, this is all done at 7:30 in the morning, before breakfast. This activity, apparently, increases the children’s appetite.
Now, don’t think that just because these kids are doing it that it makes it safe! These kids are only allowed to carry out the ritual after three years of meticulous training and medical examinations. If any of the parents aren’t on board, the child is not allowed to participate. Most parents seem to be totally on board, though, and agree that the treatment actually does prevent winter illnesses.
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(Photo by Anatoly Belonogov)