Wim Hof's breathwork method for anxiety relief

This isn’t something that many TMS experts necessarily recommend, but I sometimes add it to my morning ritual after finding out how effective it was for anxiety, a huge part of many TMS sufferers’ bags of symptoms. I practice many calming yogic breathwork techniques, pranayama, alternate nostril breathing, Kapalbhati etc, as part of my Yoga for TMS classes and in my own practice. But if you're after something a little stronger, that has more of an energising effect then give this a go. But go easy...it's quite intense if you go too hard too fast.

Wim Hof’s daily breathwork technique

This is my breathwork practice of choice if I'm feeling in a depressed or anxious funk. If I need bringing up not bringing down if that makes sense. At first, it can feel a bit weird as it can make you a bit tingly and lightheaded, but the more you steadily grow your practice the more you will get out of it. It's one of the only things that can literally blast my anxiety into oblivion, within about 10 minutes, I’m not exaggerating, it's THAT good. I've heard of people that have come off antidepressant medication just by using this technique... 

I wouldn't recommend doing this every day, as it's quite easy to overdo it. Just take it really slowly and build up gradually as you feel comfortable at your own pace. By practising these breathing exercises, you are releasing more energy into your body through the circulatory system, positively influencing your nervous system and changing your physiological responses.

Benefits include immediate and long-term stress reduction, better sleep, improved physical performance and faster recovery after exercise, enhanced creativity, improved focus and overall mental clarity. You feel alive, awake and fully switched on, like a reboot for the SOUL.

His cold water therapy is pretty crazy cool too (and I HATE cold water with a passion), which has even more positive benefits to your immune system and wellbeing. It makes you feel utterly invincible and powerful, be sure to check out his resources. His story and his physical/mental capabilities will blow your mind, plus he’s such a funny eccentric character, he regularly climbs mount Kilimajaro in one day in just his shorts!

Check out his interview with Russel Brand here, for an introduction to his work. Then this is the beginner's video I follow to practice the daily breathing exercises...remember to take it slowly at first.

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