The Wim Hof Breathing Exercises are one of the three pillars that constitute the Wim Hof method. When combined, the three pillars give optimum physical and mental health benefits.
The Wim Hof breathing exercises have their roots in ancient practice. But they have been transformed to suit the modern condition of neurology.
How Stress Affects our Brain
In modern times, our brains process so much more stimuli than they did back during the middle ages. We are living in a stressful era. The stress and negative emotions leave behind biochemical residue in the lymphatic system. Our biochemistry becomes more acidic. This biochemical imbalance causes inflammation. Uncontrolled inflammation deregulates the endocrine, immune and hormonal system and causes diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, and Parkinson's disease. The brain requires different biochemistry to function optimally.
Wim Hof Breathing Releases Body Stress
Body Becomes Alkaline and Oxygenated
The Wim Hof breathing technique helps clean up the biochemical residue and suppress inflammation. It regulates our biochemistry which changes from acidic to alkaline and eliminates the primary causes of diseases and wards them off. We become alkaline and oxygenated. We become more able to regulate our nervous system, which helps in regulating our emotions, mood, body temperature, and much more.
Increases Body's Capacity to Absorb More Vitamins
Alkalizing your body with the breath reduces the inflammation that brings you pain. Breathing also regulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This is an integral part of overall health and well-being. When we breathe deeply, air goes deeply into our lungs. With that, air enters deeper into our tissues. Our body chemistry is invigorated by good oxygen and good nutrients. Good vitamins get absorbed into our cells. Our body chemistry begins to transform, and that creates more energy. We become more happy and healthy.
Increases Pain Tolerance
When we do deep conscious breathing first before going into the cold, it generates heat through the intercostal muscles, and it also increases your pain tolerance.
The energy of the cold's impact meets the energy generated by deep breathing, and the effect is transformative. One could stay in cold water for a long. You can regulate your energy through your breath.
The breathing technique, along with cold showers, works wonders. They provide numerous physical and mental benefits.
Improves Mental Strength
These practices allow us to access the power of the mind.
The process of systematic and deep inhaling and exhaling increases the pH value in the blood, thus, increasing alkalinity in the blood. You become oxygenated and become more able to regulate your nervous system and change various physiological responses. You induce a stress response which will lead to more resilience towards everyday stress.
When you add breathing exercises to your regular routine, you can feel results immediately in the form of more energy. And a sense of well-being. Some more benefits of Wim Hof's method of breathing exercises include:
- Increased focus, concentration, and determination.
- Better sleep
- Workout recovery
- Improved creativity
- Increased will power
- Increased sports performance
Regulates Blood Pressure
Wim Hof's method of breathing folds benefits your cardiovascular system. Your blood pressure can be reduced by practicing the Wim Hof method of breathing. The impact of breathing exercises, along with the exposure to cold, strains the little muscles in your veins. When these little muscles in the veins function properly, there is not much pressure on the heart, and it does not have to pump that hard, and your blood pressure stays normal. Moreover, Wim Hof method exercises also help lower your heart rate.
Takeaway
Wim Hof Method takes time to purify yourself of your emotions. It feels like as if you're losing a piece of yourself in the process, but this is only a transitory feeling. That emotion will eventually give way to clarity.
People who have gone through this transformation have never been sorry for what they did. They can now see the possibilities in their lives, whereas before, they could only see the limitations. It's an absolutely spectacular transition. You can get some pointers from Omidlife's Wim Hof breathing course.
