The Benefits of the Wim Hof Method (WHM) in Addiction Treatment

September 25, 2018 | addiction treatment, Treatment options

What is The Wim Hof Method

As time progresses, so do techniques and holistic methods when it comes to health and wellness. Things that seemed scientifically impossible at one point have proven to be achievable, and the Wim Hof Method is one of them. The Wim Hof method is characterized by its simplicity, applicability and strong scientific underpinning. It is a practical way to become happier and healthier. Tap into your your true nature and discover the healing power of the breath, the cold, and foundational human movement.

Who is Wim Hof?

Wim Hof is an extreme athlete, notably recognized for his astonishing ability to withstand severely cold temperatures. When Hof was a young boy, age 17, he experienced a sudden desire to jump into a freezing cold canal, and some say that this instance was the beginning of his athletic career.

Also known as the Iceman, Hof has climbed several mountains, with heights and temperatures comparable to those of Mount Everest, in minimal clothing: his outfits consisted of nothing but shorts and a pair of shoes. He is the holder of several chilling records, one of them being the ice endurance record where he remained submerged in ice for a full hour and fifty-two minutes.

So, how does someone withstand such extreme measures? An affinity to adverse temperatures must be attributed to Hof’s abilities. But, the power of breathing and mental concentration that constitutes the Wim Hof Method plays a significant role in the ability to control bodily impulse and withstand severe conditions with ease.

The Method

The Wim Hof Method is rooted in exceeding limits, both mentally and physically. The three main pillars of this method consist of the following components:

Breathing exercises
Training concentration
Gradual exposure to the cold

Using the 3-pillar approach outlined by Wim Hof we are able to reawaken our inner power and get closer to our consciousness, eventually able to master our own body and mind. Before this method was studied and researched, many scientists believed it was impossible to voluntarily control our autonomic nervous system, which controls breathing, heartbeat regulation, and digestive processes.