tl;dr Try Wim Hof Breathing, and feel incredible. Here’s an 11 minute guided session to get you started:
Wim Hof breathing is a breathing technique that helps one control their own physiology.
This technique has been clinically proven to reduce the ill-effects (literally) of pathogen exposure; regulate fear and anxiety responses and most famously as a way to endure extreme cold. (Wim of the Wim Hof method is a multi-time world record holder for cold water submersion.) For an overview of the science behind this, Google Wim Hof or check out the science page on his site for a list of academic studies.
The technique itself is incredibly simple – about 30-50 deep inhales, but only normal exhales. Repeated two to three times.
The Wim Hof Method does make some people light headed so make sure to do it while sitting or laying down.
I first tried the Wim Hof method by following a guided breathing session by Wim on the Joe Rogan podcast, episode 712, way back in 2015. I’ve been doing the Wim Hof method ever since, and attended an in person seminar in San Francisco in fall of 2016.
This breathing technique has been a huge asset for me to get through everyday anxiety, avoid colds, and to endure cold conditions. I’ve even used it as a method to cure hangover symptoms.
Please try it, and let me know what benefits you receive from your own practice of the Wim Hof Method.
– Nate
How did you come across Wim Hof?
The Joe Rogan Podcast, maybe 3 years ago. The rest is history.