March 30 2020
By combining the Wim Hof Method with the exercises I do I feel that my routine is far more balanced. I began working out and practising Wim Hof techniques on alternating days, doing physical exercise one day and the Wim Hof exercises the next. Occasionally I will overlap, for example with the Cold Shower exercise. Because I work out in the morning, I shower directly afterwards, allowing me to take a cold shower as the app teaches. What this entails is slowly turning the water colder and colder, which gives your body time to begin adapting to the temperature, before eventually showering in freezing cold water which you must undergo for 30 seconds. While cold showers are in and of themselves good for your body, they can still be fairly unpleasant for beginners. To control this I practice Hof’s breathing technique. While I started this exercise in the mornings of the days I didn’t exercise, I quickly translated these skills to the Cold Shower.
I begin the mornings sitting with my legs crossed, breathing with the specific technique of inhaling deeply until my lungs are full and then exhaling normally. I do this for 35 breaths and after the final exhale I hold my breath for 1 minute. Immediately afterwards I take another deep breath and hold it for about 10 to 15 seconds. I practice this whole routine 3 or 4 times, depending on how light-headed I get.
I’m practising the Wim Hof Method mainly to gain better control of my body. These activities are physical and strenuous, but they rely on mastery of your mind to be able to adapt to extreme conditions. The Method’s three pillars (Breathing, Cold Therapy, Commitment) also each have their own benefits, such as reduced stress, increased energy, more tolerance for cold environments, improved sleep, better focus and commitment, and patience. I feel that these things would be good to have in my day to day life, especially now that we are in lockdown.
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