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I Tried Wim Hof Breathing How Cold Showers Help Anxiety Depression
00:00 we've all heard of him at some point or we've all heard of him at some point or another the Iceman the guy who can go another the Iceman the guy who can go another the Iceman the guy who can go out in the middle of a blizzard with no out in the middle of a blizzard with no out in the middle of a blizzard with no jacket the guy who can go underwater for jacket the guy who can go underwater for jacket the guy who can go underwater for way too long in below freezing way too long in below freezing way too long in below freezing temperatures I was first introduced to temperatures I was first introduced to temperatures I was first introduced to Wim Hof when I saw him on a yes Theory Wim Hof when I saw him on a yes Theory Wim Hof when I saw him on a yes Theory video everyone who is watching this video everyone who is watching this video everyone who is watching this with this group in particular with this group in particular with this group in particular they are all about discomfort ah seeking they are all about discomfort ah seeking they are all about discomfort ah seeking discomfort this is not for everybody [Music] [Music] recently I decided to pick up Wim Hof's recently I decided to pick up Wim Hof's recently I decided to pick up Wim Hof's book and I listened to the whole thing book and I listened to the whole thing book and I listened to the whole thing and really really enjoyed it lately I've and really really enjoyed it lately I've and really really enjoyed it lately I've been aware that I'm not getting full been aware that I'm not getting full been aware that I'm not getting full deep breaths so I decided that something deep breaths so I decided that something deep breaths so I decided that something had to be done and because of that had to be done and because of that had to be done and because of that yesterday video forever ago what popped yesterday video forever ago what popped yesterday video forever ago what popped into my mind was Wim Hof and doing his
01:00 into my mind was Wim Hof and doing his into my mind was Wim Hof and doing his breathing exercises because I had heard breathing exercises because I had heard breathing exercises because I had heard they were simpler than maybe other they were simpler than maybe other they were simpler than maybe other exercises I could learn to do and for me exercises I could learn to do and for me exercises I could learn to do and for me Simplicity is key it just has to be Simplicity is key it just has to be Simplicity is key it just has to be simple in order for me to make it into a simple in order for me to make it into a simple in order for me to make it into a habit so I've struggled with breathing habit so I've struggled with breathing habit so I've struggled with breathing for a variety of reasons throughout my for a variety of reasons throughout my for a variety of reasons throughout my life apparently life apparently life apparently um I made videos on my birth defect and um I made videos on my birth defect and um I made videos on my birth defect and you can watch them you can watch them you can watch them somewhere in one of these Corners I've somewhere in one of these Corners I've somewhere in one of these Corners I've also had trouble with clenching my jaw also had trouble with clenching my jaw also had trouble with clenching my jaw and I've been told that that is possibly and I've been told that that is possibly and I've been told that that is possibly a side effect of not breathing well a side effect of not breathing well a side effect of not breathing well because I clenched my jaw I get really because I clenched my jaw I get really because I clenched my jaw I get really bad headaches so overall it seems like bad headaches so overall it seems like bad headaches so overall it seems like doing some breathing exercises could doing some breathing exercises could doing some breathing exercises could really really help so I did I decided to really really help so I did I decided to really really help so I did I decided to start doing Wim Hof breathing exercises start doing Wim Hof breathing exercises start doing Wim Hof breathing exercises every morning when I woke up for a while every morning when I woke up for a while every morning when I woke up for a while every morning right when my alarm went every morning right when my alarm went every morning right when my alarm went off when I was waking up I'd sit up in off when I was waking up I'd sit up in off when I was waking up I'd sit up in bed and I would do Wim Hof's breathing bed and I would do Wim Hof's breathing bed and I would do Wim Hof's breathing exercises you can find tons of videos exercises you can find tons of videos exercises you can find tons of videos about it about exactly how to do it but about it about exactly how to do it but about it about exactly how to do it but I did those every single morning and I I did those every single morning and I I did those every single morning and I started to feel more energized and
02:00 started to feel more energized and started to feel more energized and getting out of bed was a lot easier now getting out of bed was a lot easier now getting out of bed was a lot easier now most people follow Wim Hof for the cold most people follow Wim Hof for the cold most people follow Wim Hof for the cold exposure part I mostly became interested exposure part I mostly became interested exposure part I mostly became interested for the breathing exercises part but I for the breathing exercises part but I for the breathing exercises part but I did try some cold exposure at my did try some cold exposure at my did try some cold exposure at my apartment which obviously I'm no longer apartment which obviously I'm no longer apartment which obviously I'm no longer in but at my apartment during the winter in but at my apartment during the winter in but at my apartment during the winter they close the pool down so it's not they close the pool down so it's not they close the pool down so it's not heated but they leave it completely heated but they leave it completely heated but they leave it completely uncovered and un roped off or anything uncovered and un roped off or anything uncovered and un roped off or anything so me and my friends like to sit in the so me and my friends like to sit in the so me and my friends like to sit in the hot tub and then go jump in the freezing hot tub and then go jump in the freezing hot tub and then go jump in the freezing pool I've also tried cold showers a cold pool I've also tried cold showers a cold pool I've also tried cold showers a cold shower a day keeps the doctor away a shower a day keeps the doctor away a shower a day keeps the doctor away a depression there is a lack of nor depression there is a lack of nor depression there is a lack of nor adrenaline and dopamine and going into a adrenaline and dopamine and going into a adrenaline and dopamine and going into a cold shower raises the level of cold shower raises the level of cold shower raises the level of noradrenaline with noradrenaline with noradrenaline with 530 percent dopamine with 250 percent 530 percent dopamine with 250 percent 530 percent dopamine with 250 percent it's a natural pill that has no side
03:00 it's a natural pill that has no side it's a natural pill that has no side effects people who do regular cold effects people who do regular cold effects people who do regular cold patting or showers cold showers the patting or showers cold showers the patting or showers cold showers the heart rate goes down with 20 to 30 beats heart rate goes down with 20 to 30 beats heart rate goes down with 20 to 30 beats a minute 24 hours a day that means no a minute 24 hours a day that means no a minute 24 hours a day that means no stress high levels of energy so what I stress high levels of energy so what I stress high levels of energy so what I like to do is take a normal shower and like to do is take a normal shower and like to do is take a normal shower and then turn the water to cold at the very then turn the water to cold at the very then turn the water to cold at the very end to get that bit of invigorating cold end to get that bit of invigorating cold end to get that bit of invigorating cold exposure but I never really understood exposure but I never really understood exposure but I never really understood why you would do that until I read one why you would do that until I read one why you would do that until I read one Huff's books after reading the book I Huff's books after reading the book I Huff's books after reading the book I kind of knew how to do it more kind of knew how to do it more kind of knew how to do it more intentionally so I would turn the water intentionally so I would turn the water intentionally so I would turn the water to cold and I'd sit there and see how to cold and I'd sit there and see how to cold and I'd sit there and see how long I could do it without panicking by long I could do it without panicking by long I could do it without panicking by going in a going in a going in a in a acute deep stressful exercise in a acute deep stressful exercise in a acute deep stressful exercise you activate the adrenal axis to spike you activate the adrenal axis to spike you activate the adrenal axis to spike and that resets the body to its natural and that resets the body to its natural and that resets the body to its natural depth by which the physiology suddenly
04:00 depth by which the physiology suddenly depth by which the physiology suddenly awakens in the depth and gets into awakens in the depth and gets into awakens in the depth and gets into control of our will and that's amazing control of our will and that's amazing control of our will and that's amazing so for me the utility of this is really so for me the utility of this is really so for me the utility of this is really the being in a stressful situation in the being in a stressful situation in the being in a stressful situation in this situation cold water this situation cold water this situation cold water and learning to stay calm and not panic and learning to stay calm and not panic and learning to stay calm and not panic because that's how normal everyday life because that's how normal everyday life because that's how normal everyday life is you get into situations on a regular is you get into situations on a regular is you get into situations on a regular basis that are stressful and you need to basis that are stressful and you need to basis that are stressful and you need to be able to keep your cool and be able to be able to keep your cool and be able to be able to keep your cool and be able to keep calm for me I struggle with keep calm for me I struggle with keep calm for me I struggle with attention issues so for me it's also attention issues so for me it's also attention issues so for me it's also being in a really long car ride or even being in a really long car ride or even being in a really long car ride or even just a 15 or 20 minute car ride and just a 15 or 20 minute car ride and just a 15 or 20 minute car ride and feeling antsy and learning to just feeling antsy and learning to just feeling antsy and learning to just relax and calm down relax and calm down relax and calm down so for me that was the really big so for me that was the really big so for me that was the really big takeaway from this was learning to be takeaway from this was learning to be takeaway from this was learning to be calm and stressful situations and the calm and stressful situations and the calm and stressful situations and the getting out of bed in the morning was so getting out of bed in the morning was so getting out of bed in the morning was so much easier after doing these breathing much easier after doing these breathing much easier after doing these breathing exercises in fact that is something I'm exercises in fact that is something I'm exercises in fact that is something I'm going to keep doing and re-implement going to keep doing and re-implement going to keep doing and re-implement into my life going forward this really
05:00 into my life going forward this really into my life going forward this really helps because we're about to go into helps because we're about to go into helps because we're about to go into winter and I hate the cold more than winter and I hate the cold more than winter and I hate the cold more than anything I hate going outside in it I anything I hate going outside in it I anything I hate going outside in it I hate being in it so I think this is hate being in it so I think this is hate being in it so I think this is really going to help me in the colder really going to help me in the colder really going to help me in the colder months I have more of a positive outlook months I have more of a positive outlook months I have more of a positive outlook and in turn help me be more positive in and in turn help me be more positive in and in turn help me be more positive in general which is something that I am general which is something that I am general which is something that I am always working on as you'll see in my always working on as you'll see in my always working on as you'll see in my other videos so that's it I tried cold other videos so that's it I tried cold other videos so that's it I tried cold showers and Wim Hof's breathing method showers and Wim Hof's breathing method showers and Wim Hof's breathing method and I I love it I'm hooked so I'm gonna and I I love it I'm hooked so I'm gonna and I I love it I'm hooked so I'm gonna keep doing that from now on especially keep doing that from now on especially keep doing that from now on especially to help combat Stress and Anxiety and to help combat Stress and Anxiety and to help combat Stress and Anxiety and increase overall positivity I hope you increase overall positivity I hope you increase overall positivity I hope you like this video like leave a comment like this video like leave a comment like this video like leave a comment comment if you've tried this or if comment if you've tried this or if comment if you've tried this or if you've read Wim Hof's book I'm very you've read Wim Hof's book I'm very you've read Wim Hof's book I'm very interested to see what you thought about interested to see what you thought about interested to see what you thought about it if you liked it and subscribe if you it if you liked it and subscribe if you it if you liked it and subscribe if you want to see more videos about being your want to see more videos about being your want to see more videos about being your best self and exploration of yourself best self and exploration of yourself best self and exploration of yourself and mental health and
06:00 and mental health and and mental health and self-help books I'm going to be doing a self-help books I'm going to be doing a self-help books I'm going to be doing a lot more so I hope to have you along for lot more so I hope to have you along for lot more so I hope to have you along for the ride the ride the ride bye bye bye [Music]
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Transcript auto-generated by YouTube. Verbatim — duplicates intentionally preserved.
In a world that often feels overwhelming, finding effective strategies for managing stress and enhancing well-being is essential. One approach that has gained attention is the combination of breathing techniques and cold exposure, popularized by Wim Hof, known as 'The Iceman.' This method not only promotes physical resilience but also fosters mental clarity and emotional stability.
Many individuals, like the speaker in this exploration, have turned to these practices to alleviate anxiety and improve their overall outlook on life. By integrating simple yet powerful rituals into their daily routines, they discover a pathway to greater equilibrium and vitality. This article delves into the speaker's personal journey with Wim Hof breathing and cold showers, highlighting the science behind these practices and their tangible benefits.
530 Percentage increase in noradrenaline from cold showers 250 Percentage increase in dopamine from cold showers 20 Decrease in heart rate (beats per minute) from regular cold exposure
"This really helps because we're about to go into winter and I hate the cold more than anything."
Introduction to Wim Hof
Wim Hof has become a symbol of resilience and strength, known for his extraordinary ability to withstand extreme cold. His methods combine controlled breathing and the science of cold exposure to enhance physical and mental performance. The science behind these techniques reveals that cold exposure can significantly increase levels of noradrenaline and dopamine, neurotransmitters that play a crucial role in mood regulation and stress response.
The speaker's introduction to Wim Hof came through a desire for simplicity in addressing breathing issues. By engaging with Hof's accessible breathing exercises, they found a method that resonated with their need for a manageable practice. This simplicity is a cornerstone of the Wim Hof method, allowing individuals to incorporate it into their daily lives without feeling overwhelmed.
"A cold shower a day keeps the doctor away from depression." — Speaker
Personal Breathing Journey
The speaker's journey began with a recognition of their struggles with deep breathing, a challenge that had persisted throughout their life. They turned to Wim Hof's breathing exercises as a potential solution, committing to practice them each morning. The results were immediate and profound.
As they engaged in these rituals, they reported feeling more energized and finding it easier to rise from bed. This newfound vitality is not merely anecdotal; it aligns with research indicating that controlled breathing can enhance oxygen flow and improve overall energy levels. The speaker noted, "A cold shower a day keeps the doctor away from depression," highlighting the mental health benefits associated with these practices.
Cold Showers and Their Benefits
Cold exposure is a key component of the Wim Hof method, with significant physiological effects. Cold showers have been shown to increase noradrenaline levels by an astounding 530% and dopamine levels by 250%. These neurotransmitters are essential for mood regulation and stress management, making cold exposure a powerful tool for enhancing mental health.
Moreover, regular cold exposure can lead to a decrease in heart rate by 20 to 30 beats per minute. This reduction promotes a state of calmness and resilience, allowing individuals to navigate stressors more effectively. The speaker reflected on this experience, stating, "By going into cold water, you activate the adrenal axis to spike, and that resets the body." This activation not only fosters physical resilience but also cultivates a sense of control in stressful situations.
Overall Impact and Future Plans
The cumulative effects of Wim Hof's breathing techniques and cold exposure have left a lasting impact on the speaker's life. They have found that these practices not only combat anxiety but also foster a more positive outlook, especially as they prepare for the colder months ahead.
The speaker's commitment to these rituals illustrates the potential for personal transformation through intentional practices. As they continue to integrate these methods into their daily life, they express a sense of empowerment and clarity. This journey underscores the importance of exploring simple yet effective strategies for enhancing well-being and resilience.
Words Worth Hearing
"By going into a cold water, you activate the adrenal axis to spike and that resets the body." — Speaker
Practical Takeaways
Incorporate Wim Hof breathing exercises into your morning routine to enhance energy and mental clarity. Consider adding cold showers to your daily ritual to boost mood and resilience against stress.