You may have heard of Wim Hof, the incredible Iceman, and his bewildering acts. He engages in barefoot marathons running barefoot over vast ice fields and spends extended hours immersed in frozen lakes. So, why does he do it? Readout below to know about the WimHof method that improves immunity.
The Wim Hof Method encourages one to expose their body to cold temperatures to become stronger, happier, and healthier. Although this sounds like one of those circus acts, this crazy concept works. You can boost your immunity while improving blood circulation, losing weight, and reducing muscle inflammation.
But how does immersing yourself in a tank full of ice cubes enhance your immunity? How exactly does this keep diseases at bay? And is there scientific evidence backing these theories? These might be the questions racing through your mind. But worry not. We will look at each of these benefits of cold therapy in detail. Read on to understand what you will be getting yourself into should you choose to begin practicing the Wim Hof Method or are contemplating buying a CoolCube.
But First, What is The Wim Hof Method?
It is a new-age practice that aims to help people realize their full physical and mental potential. The Wim Hof Method incorporates cold therapy as one of the three collars besides breathing and commitment.
If you have never heard of this regimen, you’re in luck. In this article, we delve into understanding why you should try cold therapy today.
So, How Does The Wim Hof Method Influence Your Immunity?
In recent years, we have seen the increasing popularity of cold water treatments and therapeutic practices developing focus on boost of immune and the wim hof method. A significant dilemma is whether it really boosts your immunity or treats autoimmune diseases.
Medical experts are constantly looking for better ways to improve immune responses. Then comes along this outlandish spectacle of a man who ascends the Kilimanjaro in shorts. He further claims an ability to control his autonomic nervous system with self-taught techniques. This left the scientific world in awe.
Taking Wim as a case study, scientists have carried out several tests to understand how his methods impact immunity. Why does he remain healthy even when he exposes himself to sub-zero temperatures?
These endotoxemia experiments indicate an elevation in the amounts of epinephrine, a hormone that suppresses the immune response. That’s why Wim remains healthy in cold environments that cause flu-like symptoms.
Practitioners of cold therapy (and the Wim Hof Method in general) can voluntarily activate their sympathetic nervous systems, giving their bodies the ability to suppress immune responses to triggers of certain diseases.
As more studies are being done to support this hypothesis, patients with overactive immune systems who must take immuno-suppressive medication can benefit from a regimen of cold therapy and breathing techniques.
Tip for Thought
There are numerous resources you can utilize if you are interested in trying out cold therapy. Start by watching tutorials to learn the Wim Hof Method and get started at home. Also, download apps to help you take your practice deeper or hire a personal coach. And if you have the time and budget, take part in a group retreat.
Get to experience how committing to a few breathing techniques and exposing your body to controlled cold environments can activate your complete physical and mental well-being.
