The Wim Hof Method

The Wim Hof Method can be practiced by every healthy individual. If you are dealing with a serious medical condition, we advise to counsel a healthcare professional before attempting any of the WHM techniques. We advise against practicing the WHM if you are dealing with any of the following: • Epilepsy • High blood pressure (in case of prescription medication) • Coronary heart disease (e.g. Angina Pectoris; Stable Angina) • A history of serious health issues like heart failure or stroke If you suffer from migraines, we urge you to be cautious about taking ice baths. What will the WHM do for me? The effects of the WHM techniques differ from person to person. Everybody's experience is slightly different, and is partially determined by your goals and expectations. A professional tennis player for example, will likely seek improved athletic performance, whereas someone suffering from rheumatoid arthritis will sooner see benefit from lower inflammatory markers. Reported general benefits of the Method include: increased energy, improved sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, heightened focus, accelerated recovery, and a general improvement in quality of life. The potential benefits are numerous and diverse. Ultimately, the only way to find out what the Method does for you is to try it for yourself! Does the WHM help with [insert health condition] ? Although the Wim Hof Method has been known to bring symptoms into complete remission in some cases , WHM practice should be seen as a tool to help manage your health, rather than a cure. Since the Wim Hof Method moderates the immune response, it is most effective with conditions that follow from an underlying disturbance to the immune system. However, positive results are seen with a wide variety of conditions, and in addition the WHM affords many other benefits. There has been considerable scientific research into the Wim Hof Method and its effects on various health conditions, and the results are very promising. However, there are hundreds of thousands of conditions and diseases. For the majority of ailments, we do not have the requisite knowledge to be able to speak with authority on the potential of the WHM as an effective treatment. Note also that results vary greatly from person to person, as there are numerous interpersonal physiological differences. Ultimately, the best -and really the only- way to find out what the Wim Hof Method does for you personally is to give it a try. If you are dealing with a specific health condition, you may want to do a custom search on the to see what you can take away from personal stories that have been shared by other members. If nothing comes up, feel free to share experiences or ask questions of your own. This community is very welcoming, and eager to help and offer meaningful insights, and your contributions may in turn help others down the road. Some conditions may be negatively impacted by WHM practice. If you have any deviations to physiological processes that are directly modulated by WHM practice -notably involving oxygen influx, blood pressure and/or (cardio)vascular complications- we strongly advise that you consult a medical professional. Out of precaution, we also advise against WHM practice if you are pregnant. Is the WHM suitable for children? The breathing techniques can cause lightheadedness and even loss of consciousness. Children often have not matured to the point where they can adequately assess these risks. Moreover, their brains are also physically still developing. Thus, we advise that children under the age of 16 are supervised by a parent or legal guardian. Please be careful with regard to cold exposure, and build this up gradually. What is the best time of the day to start the exercises? Start your day right and do them in the morning. Jump-starting your body right from the get-go will help you spend the day both energized and relaxed. For best results, do the exercises on an empty stomach. Click on the video below to hear Wim give you his answer to this question. I'm pregnant- is it safe for me to practice the WHM? If you are pregnant, we advise against practicing the Method. We do not know if the increased adrenaline levels associated with the WHM techniques adversely affect the health of the baby. This is of course a tremendously delicate matter, and we want to be as careful as possible. When the baby is born, you are safe to resume practicing the Method. How much time do I need to invest to see results from this method? The average daily investment is 20 minutes to start your day. During the day focus on deeper more conscious breathing. Once you have unlocked how to do the Wim Hof Method, you can access it indefinitely, and move through the stages at your own pace. The Wim Hof Method does not finish after our courses. The method should be implemented in your life daily to reap the full benefits. How can I become a WHM Instructor? In order to become a certified WHM Instructor you must successfully complete the Wim Hof Academy. All the application requirements and course details can be found on our Academy page.