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Doctors are undecided about the medical<br />
benefi ts of dipping your body in icy water,<br />
but many accept the weight of anecdotal<br />
evidence that it makes you feel better.<br />
“There are no high-level scientifi c<br />
studies that say this is good for the body,<br />
but there is evidence from athletes,” says<br />
Dr Chris Bleakley, a physiotherapist at the<br />
University of Ulster. “The theory is... that<br />
cold causes a decrease in the size of blood<br />
vessels and heat causes an increase and this<br />
contrast creates a pumping mechanism,<br />
which increases blood fl ow to fl ush out the<br />
toxins in the area, a bit like massage. The<br />
other reason why athletes may do this is to<br />
stimulate the nerve endings.”<br />
Doctors generally advise, however,<br />
against swimming in very cold water if you<br />
suffer from heart disease or asthma (there<br />
easyJet flies to...<br />
The Berlin Seals build up<br />
to the big dip for months,<br />
acclimatising themselves to<br />
the near-freezing waters<br />
is, potentially, a risk of sudden death), plus<br />
you really shouldn’t stay in the water for<br />
more than fi ve minutes – after that, in very<br />
cold conditions, hypothermia and frostbite<br />
become a threat.<br />
Whatever the science, though, the fad<br />
for jumping into freezing water is growing<br />
in Berlin (new people join the Berlin Seals<br />
each year), as well as elsewhere in Europe.<br />
No wonder, when you hear its almost<br />
euphoric effect. “It cleanses the mind and<br />
helps me forget about work worries,” says<br />
Andrej Barth. “It really gets you hooked.”<br />
berliner-seehunde.de<br />
Berlin from 29 destinations.<br />
See our insider guide on page 120.<br />
Book online at easyJet.com<br />
WHERE<br />
TO STAY<br />
IN BERLIN<br />
UNDER €50<br />
A&O HOSTEL<br />
FRIEDRICHSHAIN<br />
Stay at this simple<br />
hostel and save your<br />
euros for the trendy<br />
local bars after your icy<br />
dip in Orankesee Lake.<br />
Doubles from €34, book<br />
at hotels.easyJet.com<br />
UNDER €100<br />
KU’DAMM 101<br />
Defrost in this stylish<br />
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UNDER €150<br />
ART’OTEL<br />
BERLIN MITTE<br />
A sub-zero dip in fancy<br />
dress will give you the<br />
energy to explore Mitte’s<br />
art galleries around this<br />
boutique hotel. Doubles<br />
from €125, book at<br />
hotels.easyJet.com
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