If you’re anything like me, you look forward to a nice, hot shower. It’s relaxing and comforting, especially in these cold winter months. I’m the type of person who likes to take showers as hot as they get, so you may be wondering what possessed me to turn the temperature down.
It all started with an introduction to the Ice Man, Wim Hof. I watched his VICE documentary and was intrigued. This man was able to raise his body height while sitting in the snow with barely any clothes on? And not only that, he claimed it reduced inflammation, improved the immune system and increased energy/focus. I was skeptical. Was this just some New Age woo woo? If you saw Wim Hof on an episode of the Goop Lab on Netflix, you may have already chalked it up to something weird Gwenyth Paltrow talks about.
Wim Hof Workshop
Serendipitously, a few months later, Wim Hof came to the gym I was teaching yoga at for a weekend workshop. My boyfriend read a book based on Hof’s teachings and my interest was piqued, so we signed up for the event. At the event, Hof taught us his breathing techniques and introduced us to cold therapy. We started the event by learning about his techniques and their benefits, and being guided through a breathing exercise and meditation. Through my yoga practice, I’ve tried many different breathing and meditation techniques, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Hof’s technique. I felt that I was able to tune out my thoughts very well and felt a deep sense of peace afterward.
After breath work, we went outside to large kid pools full of ice and water. As you can imagine or may have experienced for yourself, it’s not exactly an enjoyable sensation. But I was certainly surprised by how long I was able to withstand the piercing cold. And I felt pretty good afterwards? Weird. I wish I could tell you I stuck with it and learned more, but after a few weeks of cold showers, I fell off. It wasn’t until almost a year later that I returned to cold therapy.
What Doesn’t Kill Us
Almost a year later, I picked up the book my boyfriend owned about Hof, What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude, and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength by Scott Carney. I thought the book may be too science-based to hold my attention, but from chapter one, I was hooked on Carney’s writing. He’s an excellent journalist who studied Hof’s methods for years and has a great knack for story-telling.
Carney tells the stories of people who used the Wim Hof Method to decrease symptoms from autoimmune diseases, lose weight, improve mental health and increase mobility. Carney documents his quest to climb to the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro in record timing, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and sneakers. After reading these feats, I had to give it a try for myself.
Cold Water Benefits:
– Reduced inflammation (great for sore muscles and why so many professional athletes take ice baths)
– Improved quality of sleep
– Increased focus
– Higher energy levels
– Increased immune response
– Increased metabolism
How I Practice Cold Therapy
This led me to taking cold showers for the last two months! Each morning when I take a shower – my comfortable, lovely, warm shower – I turn the water as cold as possible for the last minute of my shower. I will warn you, it’s hard at first. It doesn’t feel natural when you’ve been accustomed to warm water for the first 26 years of your life. But, it does get easier. Since I began two months ago, I’ve noticed an increase in energy and improved mood. The cold really wakes me up and I feel ready to start the day. Plus knowing I survived one minute of freezing water, I feel like I can tackle whatever comes my way. I’ve actually started to look forward to it. Try out one minute of a cold shower, or if you’re feeling extra crazy, try an ice bath.
A large piece of Hof’s teaching is getting out of your comfort zone and tapping into your primal instincts. It’s kind of crazy to think that our ancestors didn’t have heat, warm water or any of the luxuries we have today, but our bodies are able to withstand the cold. If you know me well, you know that I am always cold, so if I can do it you can do it.
If you’re a true skeptic or interested in learning more, I highly recommend Carney’s book, or if you’re a science nerd, check out the resources below. If Netflix is more your vibe (no judgement here) the Goop Lab episode with Hof doesn’t have that much depth, but it provides a good introduction to cold therapy.
Thanks for reading!
Morgan
Sources:
https://www.wimhofmethod.com/science
https://www.wimhofmethod.com/cold-therapy
https://www.brownmed.com/blog/cryotherapy/4-health-benefits-of-cold-therapy/