While many will be cuddling up by a warm fire or sipping hot
cider on New Years Day, some choose to celebrate in a much chillier fashion.
January 1st is Polar Bear Plunge Day, and the holiday celebration is
just what it sounds like- an icy plunge in the middle of winter!
These human Polar Bears often take the plunge in the name of
a charity or fundraiser, and while plunges take place throughout the coldest
months of the year, New Year’s Day often draws some of the largest crowds!
Unlike their human plunging counterparts, Polar Bears have thick
layers of fur and blubber that contribute to their ability to stay warm in
freezing temperatures as low as -37 degrees Fahrenheit. They also produce high
levels of nitric oxide that allow them to utilize caloric intake for
thermoregulation.
Because polar bears are so well prepared for cold weather,
when they are overheated they often go for a swim to cool down. They are naturally
talented swimmers, and some have been recorded swimming over sixty miles!
It may seem dangerous for a person to expose themselves to
such a significant drop in temperature, but the polar bear plunge is generally
regarded as safe for those without pre-existing conditions. It is recommended
to have the event cleared with a doctor before deciding to take the plunge.
While humans most easily adapt to temperatures above freezing,
polar bears rely on consistently cold temperatures to survive. The icy
environments that polar bears thrive in are crucial to their ability to hunt
successfully, and the loss of sea ice due to climate change has negatively
affected both the weight and overall numbers of polar bears alive today.
Participants in Polar Bear Plunge Day might feel like a
human popsicle, but the results could create more than a body chill for those
willing to take on the cold!
Cold-water immersion and other hydrotherapy treatments have
been used for many years and originate in a variety of regions around the globe.
They are said to have both mental and physical benefits, and have even been
integrated into a number of spa treatments.