Wim Hof Method

[kathy775]

Hello,

For anyone interested, I came across the Wim Hof method (had heard about it a long time ago). It is said to train the autonomic nervous system. People have said it has helped with stress/depression/immune system/pain/inflammatory conditions, as it brings down inflammation. It is very easy breathwork and also taking cold showers. The breathwork can be a standalone, as can be the showers. The protocol is said to help one cope better with physical/mental adversity as well. I myself don't have PD (family member does; they are not so open to alternative therapies). But I've started the Classic 10-week course for my general health and it does something. It seems it can help with PD too.

livingflow.net/reversing-pa...

Here's a free tutorial from Wim Hof on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=nzCaZQq...(Not working as expected?)

And a breath timer (a copy of Wim Hof's app): youtube.com/watch?v=_q9MSWk...(Not working as expected?)

Best wishes to all.

[Dap1948]

I’ve been doing this for six months. I do the breathing first then follow it with a three minute cold shower every day. I don’t know if it’s doing any good but I enjoy telling people I do it because they’re always surprised!

[kathy775 in reply to Dap1948]

Nice! Using the Wim Hof breathing technique definitely helps in the cold showers. Three minutes? That's amazing!

[Fumaniron]

I’ve done it a few years now. Definitely helps. I think it’s much easier to activate parasympathetic nervous system and tremors improved

[kathy775 in reply to Fumaniron]

I'm glad to hear it has helped with tremors! You sound disciplined, and it is a great mind/body challenge too.

[Stillstandingstill]

Hi. Been turning the shower to cold for a couple of months now. My breathing control has improved as at first I couldn't catch my breath with the shock. I can now slow my breathing and stay fairly relaxed with it. I think he (Wim Hof) is very interesting.

[kathy775 in reply to Stillstandingstill]

Yes, relaxing through it all is what it's about ... I'm amazed the breathing helps in what one otherwise could not withstand (the cold)!

[JAS9]

It's free, takes about 10 minutes, is fairly simple to do, AND relaxing? Plus it might help with going back into parasympathetic mode? Might help with PD? Done! Sold! Well, I'll give it a month or two trial anyway.

[kathy775 in reply to JAS9]

For me, following Wim Hof's voice in the breath/retention timer is motivating and super easy to track. Good luck, I hope you have fun with it!

[Propertytyphoon]

Just reading the book now and starting to turn that shower down!Will see how it goes

This was posted by the ever-helpful Dr Simon Stott

scienceofparkinsons.com/202...

[kathy775 in reply to Propertytyphoon]

That's an excellent article, thanks for sharing! It's awesome to see other "Hoffers" on this board

[Smokeypurple]

For anyone in the UK there's a Wim series on BBC iplayer called Freeze the Fear. It's really not erudite - I'm watching it with my teenage son as it spans what we each like watching... I am finding it surprisingly engaging. It's a cross between a celebrity programme 😬 and a mind body health programme but as they face their fear and deal with extreme cold, the celebs go surprisingly deep in their emotional journeys - and it's interesting watching Wim himself.

[kathy775 in reply to Smokeypurple]

That sounds like a really engaging program! Thank you, very cool to hear ... oh, I found the series on YouTube, I will try watching some of it!