On January 1, some hardy souls will greet the new year not by nursing a champagne hangover in bed, but by plunging into frigid water. In New York City, thousands of people participate in a seaside “polar plunge” held annually since 1903. Similarly bone-chilling swims take place across the country and overseas on New Year’s Day.
These brave revelers may be on to something. Icy immersion isn’t without risk, and there’s no single temperature range used to study dunking or swimming. But a growing body of science suggests cold water may hold benefits for mental and physical health alike.
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