21/09/2022
The Wim Hof Method has amazing benefits.
It relies on breathing exercises, cold exposure and yoga postures to create short term stress that lets you rebound to a more balanced state.
Here’s how the breathing part works:
- Stress -
Feelings of stress drive, and are driven, by your Autonomic Nervous System.
By using hyperventilation and breath holding, WHM creates “Hormetic” stress. This is short term stress that your body responds to positively.
Acute stress nudges your ANS from its current point (probably a little bit of chronic stress) and it rebounds back to a more balanced state.
This rebound can help calm your mind and still your thoughts.
Another aspect of WHM that helps with stress is the focus on your breathing and body.
Studies show that bringing your focus from your thoughts to your body helps to quieten your mind.
It’s not a coincidence that many meditations use the approach.
- Biochemistry -
WHM breathing alters the levels of gases in your body.
Hyperventilation strips carbon dioxide from your lungs and therefore blood. In doing so it reduces body oxygenation through something called the Haldon effect.
This swing in low to high co2 and o2 is another form of Hormetic stress. It teaches the body how to respond to, and sense, co2 levels which can lead to less breathlessness and more efficient breathing.
The breath holding step allows Nitric Oxide to build up in your nasal cavity (a natural bronchodilator which opens your airways and vasodilator which opens your circulation).
Nitric Oxide is also an antimicrobial which combats viruses and bacteria.
- Biomechanics -
From a mechanical point of view using deep breathing exercises followed by breath holding, strengthens and tones your diaphragm.
This improves breathing efficiency but also helps with posture. The diaphragm is a core stabiliser for your spine.
Wim Hof Method is a great introduction to breathwork. It gives immediate benefits.
Breathwork spans a huge range of exercises and benefits.
“The Humming Solution” is the other side of the same coin and focuses on relaxer exercises. WHM and THS are perfect partners!
