![]() ![]() ![]() The results, published recently in a study in the journal NeuroImage, might at first sound more like mumbo jumbo than fact: Researchers found that Hof is able to use his mind to artificially induce a stress response in his body that helps him resist the effects of cold. Otto Musik, a pediatrician in Wayne State University’s School of Medicine and his coauthors recently put Hof into a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine while exposing him to cold water and analyzed what happened inside his body. Now doctors have put the Iceman’s brain-and body- on ice in an effort to better understand the mental and physical mechanisms that allow Hof to seemingly defy the laws of nature. He holds the Guinness World Record for longest swim under ice, and has also endured the extremes of dry heat, running a half marathon through the Namib Desert without drinking any water.Īthletes aren’t the only ones interested in these feats. “I’ve done about anything I can fantasize about in the cold,” Hof said in an interview. The 59-old Dutchman has climbed Mount Everest in Nepal and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania-Africa’s tallest peak-wearing shorts. But from the moment his bare toes hit the snow, he began to feel “surprisingly good.” “What did I get myself into?” he recalls thinking. Yet even he was understandably nervous the night before his 26-mile jaunt at -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Hof, better known as "The Iceman," has attained roughly two dozen world records by completing marvellous feats of physical endurance in conditions that would kill others. I learned from The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential that Hof once injected himself with endotoxin (under the supervision of medical professionals, of course) and was able to fend off infection on his own through breathwork and strength of mind.Finland’s Arctic circle might not seem like a great place to run a marathon barefoot and in shorts-unless you’re Wim Hof. Now, I’m only an enthusiast and not a medical expert, but it’s been proven that maintaining lower stress levels and taking care of your body and mind can help ward off common illnesses. Every morning after practicing three rounds of breathwork, I’ve experienced an increase in clarity that lasts all day. Hof’s deep breathing exercises help to improve blood flow, which in turn can boost focus. Practicing techniques from the Wim Hof Method helps build mental strength to deal with day-to-day challenges with ease. Putting yourself in situations with intentional stress trains your brain and body to handle it more effectively. When there’s a lot of cortisol surging through your bloodstream, it’s easy to feel out of control. By focusing on my breath, I’ve been able to access new levels of physical maneuverability that I’ve struggled to obtain my whole life. Practicing deep breathing during yoga or stretching is one of the best ways to boost mobility as it encourages a deeper connection to the body. I can confirm that holding tension in your body over time can reduce flexibility. Ending your shower with 30 seconds of icy water (while focusing on your breath!) is an easy way to manage stress. After all, cold exposure has been proven to raise adrenaline and lower cortisol levels. I’m no scientist, but if stress levels are impacting your quality of sleep, plunging into icy temperatures - whether an ice bath, frigid shower or frozen lake - could be the answer. While there are countless benefits to his method, here are the top 5 reasons to try living like “The Iceman” Wim Hof. The cold therapy combined with breathwork resulted in a happier, healthier me. It sounds counterintuitive, but trust me, I’ve tried it twice and the effects are undeniable. ![]() When I first completed Wim Hof’s 20-Day Cold Shower Challenge during a frigid month in 2021, I was amazed to learn I needed to embrace the cold rather than run from it. I hold a lot of tension in my body, which compounds tenfold when it’s cold outside. We may earn commission on items you choose to buy. All products featured on are independently selected by our editors. ![]()
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