Since June 2020, I have become a student of the Wim Hof Method. This system teaches you techniques to become the master of your autonomic system – to control your body’s reaction to stress. And in doing so, you become more resilient, healthier, stronger, happier and more at peace.
The main areas of teaching in this system includes breathing exercises, concentration, strength and flexibility, and the gradual exposure to cold, The goal is to help you become master of your mind and ultimitely of your physiology.
I have a personal interest in these methods, which appear to ultimately result in controlling our own innate immune response. The result leads to our gaining control over our body’s release of adrenaline and to learn to tame an overactive immune response that can result in a cytokine storm. This is the mechanism that took my sister’s life a year ago following a short Covid-like sickness. And this is what leads to the deaths of many people as Covid-19 infections continue to spread today. Is this the panacea for Covid? I doubt it. But can it give us some sense of control if not actual control over how our bodies may respond to such an infection? After reviewing the science behind it, I think with a lot of practice, quite possibly!
Try this simple Wim Hof technique to help control your stress response:
- Count how many breaths you take in a minute. If 10-15 then you are in a stressed state. Set a timer for one minute and consciously slow down your breathing.
- Next, take a deep breath in, and this time try quietly humming out your breath over a minute timer, taking a breath when necessary. This will bring down your breaths per minute and help calm your mind.
The App is excellent. It is well organized and very supportive to your individual process and goals. The core teachings are at no cost, with various inexpensive add-ons for further immersion. This includes a 30-Day audio challenge with 15 minute lectures each morning, and a 10-week program with weekly new teachings and exercises. And it’s all run through the App. You can also track your progress on the App as well.
- Click HERE for an informative and entertaining video about Wim Hof and his method
- Click HERE for direction to further scientific studies of Wim Hof
- Click HERE for a specific NIH study with Wim Hof concerning control of the cytokine storm
Please check with your physician if you have any health concerns before exploring these techniques. And once cleared, please join me and have fun exploring!