"I don't look at it as too far different from any other kind of extreme challenge where conventional wisdom will tell you that this doesn't make a whole lot of sense," Siddiqi said. "The process of actually achieving it I think can have significant physical and mental impact and can reshape your view of yourself or your view of your capabilities or your understanding of your body and its limitations," he added."
"The annual ritual is an achievement that could boost your mood and motivation - similar to finishing a long hike or race, according to Dr. Asad Siddiqi, a rehabilitation medicine specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine. The Coney Island plunge is a social ritual, and participating in it can give you a sense of community, he noted. "There's so much more that's happening beyond the physiologic response to the cold," he said."
Participation in the Polar Bear Plunge can provide a strong mental benefit, offering a sense of achievement, motivation, and improved mood similar to completing a long hike or race. The event functions as a social ritual that fosters community and shared experience. Extreme cold exposure carries physical risks including hypothermia from prolonged immersion. Sudden cold exposure can stress the cardiovascular system and may affect the heart in people with pre-existing medical conditions. Limiting time in cold water reduces hypothermia risk. Individuals with chronic health issues should exercise caution or seek medical guidance before participating.
Read at Gothamist
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