THE WIM HOF METHOD
By Lynton Moore
“When you own your breath, no one can steal your peace” -Author unknown
“Nature gave us the ability to heal ourselves. Conscious breathing and environmental conditioning are two tools that we all can use to control our immune system, better our moods, and increase our energy. I believe everyone can tap into these unconscious processes and eventually control their autonomic nervous systems.” -Wim Hof
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I sit with clients everyday who come into the office with an elevated level of chronic or circumstantial stress which ends up contributing to and affecting their breathing in a variety of ways—and vice versa. I notice their breath; sometimes shallow when depressed, sometimes rapid from an over stimulated neo-cortex and perpetuated by a state of panic or anxiety. And sometimes, their breath is simply held— in fear. In other words, fight, flight or freeze has taken over. Cortisol is up and burnout pending.
Awareness and conscious control of breath actually calms your brain and keeps you out of the doctor’s office. Reinforced by an article in Psychology Today (Dec. 31, 2017) which relays that the science of breathing stands on quite ancient foundations and only recently has science started uncovering how it works. There’s a neural circuit in the brainstem which can be adjusted by altering the breathing rhythm and in turn, influences emotional states. Breathing also regulates blood pressure, may lower risk of stroke and cerebral aneurysm and generally decreases stress on blood vessels. The rhythm of your breathing also affects memory.
Deep breathing may also boost the immune system and improve energy metabolism. Controlled breathing triggers a parasympathetic response increasing the possibility for immune system resiliency. Current scientific research is giving efficacy to the the Wim Hof Method and to the possibility that we have the ability to affect our autonomic nervous system. Therefore, when you own your breath, no one can steal your peace.
As a result of being incredibly inspired, I have been practicing the WHM daily for 6 months and studying to become a Wim Hof instructor to compliment and expand my counseling practice and to be able to accommodate healing for larger groups of people. One of my favorite take-aways is the Wim Hof motto: Get high on your own supply (of O2)—reducing the propensity towards requiring something outside of ourselves to feel good— thus releasing the hook from addictive and self-destructive coping patterns.
What is the Wim Hof Method? The 3 pillars of the WHM are breathing, mindset and the cold which work together allowing us to access the autonomic nervous system, circulatory system, lymphatic system, endocrine system and the muscular system. Learning how to influence these systems using the Wim Hof Method optimizes human performance. Through the breathing techniques— metabolic activity in the cells promote the flushing out of toxins in the body while energy is produced efficiently to respond to stress stimuli such as cold, heat or exercise demands, and the blood is alkalized to balance hormone levels and to increase neurotransmitter activity for better human performance or adaptation to what is happening in our changing global climate. It helps to have more energy, feel better, happier and to be more focused when overwhelm threatens to sabotage our wellbeing.
And then there is the cold piece. Taking cold showers in the morning, sitting in cold ice baths, lakes, rivers or snow for a few minutes a day speeds up the process of removing waste materials from the body. First, the blood vessels constrict, then when coming out of the cold, circulation resumes more actively The investigators declared that, by taking a cold shower, the metabolic rate during and after such a shower is increased to keep the body warm. At the same time, the immune system is activated, resulting in the release of more white blood cells. This study indicated that exposure to the cold boosts the immune system. The burst of energy that follows is a wonderful natural high!
Who can benefit from the WHM? All humans, but particularly athletes looking for quick recovery or more endurance, people with autoimmune disease, rheumatism, obesity, Lyme, Chron’s, MS, Type II Diabetes, inflammation, arthritis, mental health issues and fatigue—to name a few. I will also add, medical practitioners, healers, therapists and anyone else who could use a boost of, “Yes, I can” —positive self-talk to avoid compassion fatigue or burnout.
If you are curious and would like to be on a mailing list for future WHM events—send me an email at lyntonmoore@gmail.com. I practice every day and would love to create a local community of cold plungers. Currently— lots of cold water options to dip into. Peace!
For further information, go to www.psychologytoday.com or to schedule an appointment please contact Lynton Moore at Alison Palmer Physical Therapy and Wellness Center 970-729-0862 or lyntonmoore@gmail.com. We are located in the Cimarron Lodge at the bottom of lift 7. Wellness is the full integration of mind, body and spirit. We look forward to helping you towards a healthier life.