Meet the Ice-Man! Breathe Your Way To A Healthier Life!

Wim Hoff is a Dutch daredevil, commonly known as "The Iceman".

He received the nickname for an ability to withstand extreme cold.

He attributes this to meditation and breathing techniques (the Wim Hoff method).

Why Is Wim Hoff interesting?

Sometimes we need a "eccentric" person to disprove a scientific theory long believed before...

Wim went from performing stunts with ice to support his family to re-writing an entire chapter of a biology book.

Wim Hoff is from the Netherlands.

Sadly, Wim Hoff's wife passed away and he became the single parent of 4 children. Wim entered a period of depression.

Wim found his comfort in one of the least comforting things for everyday people... The ice.

Plunging into frozen lakes caused a change. Wim became friends with the ice. 10 Years later and numerous celebrities are screaming "miracle" for the "Wim Hoff Method".

Gaining Popularity

Many people started employing the Wim Hoff method, posting pictures of themselves immersed in ice baths and swimming in frozen lakes.

But what everyone was so surprised with was the scientific evidence brought to the table from studies.

Control Your Immune System!

In 2011 Wim Hoff became the subject of a scientific study at Radbound Hospital.

He was capable of conciously influencing his immune system, something thought to be impossible.

Although this was amazing, a single study of one person does not make scientific proof.

The doctors in Radbound hospital studied two groups, one trained by Wim Hoff and an untrained group.

Wim Hoff's group were administered a dead bacteria (endotoxin) while practicing the Wim Hoff method and the control group breathed normally.

Normally you would be ill for several hours, curiously, the Wim Hoff group were not effected.

The control group: not trained by Wim Hoff, were feeling ill and shaking.

For the first time ever, there is conclusive proof that humans can voluntarily influence their autonomous nervous system and immune response. Every textbook says it's impossible.

My Personal Experience

I have been practising the Wim Hoff Method for 6 months, this is the original article I read which explains the method.

The basics of the excercise is to breathe deeply in through the mouth for 30-40 breathes, exhale comfortably, then hold your breathe for as long as you can. Hold your first inhale for 10-15 seconds (safety breathe).

There is also this video which has Wim Hoff himself guiding you (with music) through 3 rounds of breathing with 2 breathe holds in between.

Personal Benefits

I, myself have found Wim Hoff's exercise to be a good stress reliever, additionally when I have been sick or had a slight cold, conscious breathing allowed me to feel better and perhaps, influenced my immune system. I have also experimented with cold showers and am looking forward to the day I can plunge into a ice lake!

While I cannot promise anything if you performed the exercise, I would highly recommend it to stressed, sick or adventurous people.

If you want to learn more visit Wim Hoff's website.

Thank you for reading my article, I hope you've learnt something and appreciate that it sometimes takes a oddball (like Wim Hoff) to show us something new!

I'll join you in the comments :)

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Chron breathes his way to a better life!

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Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

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