The Wim Hof Method (WHM) is a system of methods developed by Dutch athlete and extreme athlete Wim Hof that provide a way to optimize physical and mental wellbeing by combining habitual cold exposure with conscious breathing techniques, meditation and even exercise in some cases. The main tool of the method is cold therapy, and its effects are increasingly being studied by scientific research. Research indicates the WHM has several health benefits, such as improved immune system activity, improved circulation, increased fat burning, suppression of inflammation and more.
The cold provides both an external and internal stimulus, making it a powerful form of therapy. With the Wim Hof Method, cold exposure is combined with a specific set of breathing techniques and meditative practices to not just prepare for and endure the cold stimulus, but to also help people control their autonomic nervous system and influence their health and wellbeing. Let’s take a closer look at the key benefits of cold immersion, or cold therapy, as part of the WHM. Cold therapy has been used for centuries in forms of hydrotherapy, such as in steam rooms, saunas, and Turkish baths. Recent research shows that cold therapy increases tolerance to cold, increases energy levels, releases endorphins, increases the activity of the lymphatic system, and may even release growth hormones and testosterone. Additionally, research has shown that with regular use of cold therapy, decreased levels of depression and anxiety can be observed. Our bodies are amazing and the WHM works with it’s incredible abilities to help us unlock hidden potential and helps to open pathways of healing.