I Tried Wim Hof’s Breathing Technique for a Week Straight. Here’s What Happened
Is it truly life-changing?
This week, I’ve decided to switch things up a little and try something new. I always try to find new resources to help you on your spiritual journey, and this week we’ll be exploring a pretty popular breathing technique that many people claim is “life-changing.”
In my opinion, breathwork is severely underrated, and I hope this article encourages you to explore different breathing exercises and give them a try.
In this article, we will cover:
The structure of the technique
The benefits
Who should not practice this technique
A day-by-day breakdown of my experience
My final thoughts
Are the benefits accurate?
Who could benefit most from this technique?
Is it truly life-changing?
Let’s get into it!
The Structure
Rapid Breathing: Breathe 30 rapid, deep breaths through either the mouth or nose. When you breathe in, your belly should expand and should deflate when exhaling.
Retention: On your last breath, breathe out completely and hold your breath for as long as you can.
Recovery: Inhale deeply, hold your breath for 15 seconds, then exhale.
It is advised to complete multiple cycles of this technique.
***Important Note: Multiple cycles of this breathing technique can lead to loss of consciousness in some cases. Only attempt this while sitting or lying down. Do not attempt before driving or engaging in any activities where losing consciousness could put you or others at risk.
According to the official Wim Hof website, there are three pillars to his technique: breathing, cold therapy, and commitment.
I will be practicing the breathing technique for a week straight. Would I be open to taking cold showers for a week? Uh…maybe with a lot of convincing from you guys.
The Benefits
All information is taken directly from Wim Hof’s official website.
Reduced stress level
Greater cold tolerance
Enhanced creativity
Stronger immune system
Increased energy
Better sleep
Heightened focus and determination
Improved sports performance
Increased willpower
Who Should Not Practice This Technique
Wim Hof’s official website states that individuals with the following conditions should not practice the Wim Hof Method:
Coronary heart disease (e.g. Angina Pectoris; Stable Angina)
Cold urticaria
Epilepsy
Kidney failure
Raynaud’s Syndrome (Type II)
High blood pressure (in case of prescription medication)
A history of serious health issues like heart failure or stroke
Shortly after an operation
Pregnant
Daily Check-In
Three cycles of this breathing exercise were done back-to-back every day for a week straight, using only mouth breathing.
Day 1
Started off great. About halfway through the first cycle, I felt extremely dizzy and kind of like I was having an out-of-body experience. I also found myself smiling and had a very strong urge to giggle, but that’s probably because laughter is my coping mechanism for practically everything.
During the second cycle, I felt like my lungs were on fire, but I pushed through. By the third cycle, I genuinely thought I was going to pass out, but I continued to focus on my breathing and completed the exercise.
Immediately after, I felt so at ease. It’s like my nervous system had a complete reset. For once, my mind felt clear, and I was truly present. It felt like my mind, body, and spirit were aligned and at peace.
Day 2
I had to attend an event that made me feel a bit nervous and did this breathing technique in the car. Let me just say, the feeling of a car moving while intentionally hyperventilating in the backseat, then getting lightheaded and having a borderline out-of-body experience is…unique, to say the least.
I immediately felt better and more grounded afterward.
However, these effects didn’t last very long, and when the nerves came back, my energy once again went haywire and the ungrounded feeling kicked back in. I didn’t expect the calm to last long because it was only my second day trying this, but I think deep down I was hoping the effects would last for a bit longer.
Day 3
Instead of using this method primarily for grounding and anxiety, I decided to apply it to chakra healing. I did a root chakra meditation and shifted my awareness to the base of my spine, where the root chakra lies, while doing the breathing technique. This was difficult to do because I had to focus on keeping up the rhythm of my breathing while also maintaining awareness on my root chakra.
I didn’t feel much in terms of chakra activation or clearing. It did quiet my mind a great deal, so that when I began my actual meditation session, I was more centered and open.
I would say it enhanced my meditation quite a bit, which was a great discovery for me!
Day 4
I had an awful day and started crying in the middle of the second cycle of breaths. It was honestly a great release that I wasn’t expecting, but definitely needed. I found peace during the breath retention portion of the exercise because I was able to find stillness in the chaos of my mind and energy.
By the end of the third cycle, I felt rejuvenated and instantly fell asleep.
Day 5
I did the technique right before journaling, and unsurprisingly, it helped me streamline my thoughts and share them in an organized manner.
Normally, when I journal, I just write whatever comes to mind, and when reading the entry back, I always notice that my thoughts are all over the place—but word vomiting into my journal works for me, so I’m not complaining! However, it was nice to be able to actually process my thoughts one at a time instead of being bombarded by them like how I usually am.
As usual, calmness swept over my being by the end of the third cycle, and I felt ready for a good night’s rest.
Day 6
Today, I decided to give manifesting a shot. I used the rapid breath portion to clear my mind, the retention portion to set an intention in my head of what I’d like to manifest, which I kept repeating for as long as I held my breath, and on the recovery breath, I visualized energy building within me and breathed it out, sending my manifestation out into the universe.
Did it work? Who knows? But I am glad I tried because it felt good to incorporate visualization with this technique. I felt like I was able to create some vivid imagery in my head and actually feel the effects of my visualization, which can sometimes be an issue for me.
Day 7
Today, I felt extremely low on energy and was stuck in a functional freeze state. I mustered up whatever energy I could to complete this exercise, and I’m glad I did. By the end of the first cycle, I felt fully present in my body. By the end of the third cycle, I felt energized enough to complete my work.
Would I say I was back to my usual bubbly, active state? No, but I was able to focus enough to do what I had to do, which was a win for me!
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed this breathing technique and will continue using it for a while longer, just to see if anything changes—specifically the duration of its effects and applying it in different ways to enhance my meditations.
I normally use a variety of breathing techniques partnered with visualization to intensify my meditation or achieve whatever result I want out of my breathwork session.
This technique really reminded me of Bhastrika pranayama, which involves rapid breathing through the nose and happens to be one of my all-time favorite breathing techniques.
It’s also worth mentioning that my breath retention increased from one minute and twenty seconds, to two minutes and four seconds in just one week.
Are the Benefits Accurate?
As far as I can tell, this technique did everything it promised. It reduced my stress and anxiety, helped me focus better, and increased my will-power and determination—even if it was only for a short while. Regarding enhanced creativity, I did come up with some new ideas to write about, so I would say that one’s true. I was also sleeping pretty well throughout the week.
I can’t really test if it had any effects on my immune system, but studies have shown that the Wim Hof Method can improve immune function.
We’re also going to ignore the improved sports performance claim because I don’t have a single athletic bone in my body and don’t play sports. But, I could see this technique improving endurance.
Who Could Benefit Most From This Technique?
Any healthy individual could benefit from this technique, as long as it’s practiced safely.
I would especially recommend it to people with anxiety. It felt a lot like having a panic attack—minus the feeling of impending doom.
As someone who used to have frequent panic attacks, I always noticed that I would feel so much better after I hyperventilated. It was like most of the anxiety would leave my body, and I could go on about my day without the God of Dread following me around.
I found myself almost forcing panic attacks because I knew they would help get me back on track.
This breathing technique helped me achieve that same feeling of relief I used to get after having panic attacks, while also helping me find inner alignment.
Also, if you have ADHD or struggle to complete one task at a time, I would highly recommend trying out this breathing technique.
All in all, I think this is a great method to increase focus, encouraging grounding, and calm the mind. It also helps with mind-body-spirit alignment, which is something that everyone could use.
Is It Truly Life-Changing?
I believe it can be life-changing with continued practice. I only tried it for a week, yet the results were immediate and impactful. Doing the full Wim Hof Method, including cold therapy, could be a true game-changer and further enhance the results.
If you don’t usually practice breathing exercises, then I’m sure Wim Hof’s technique will feel transformative in a short period of time by boosting your focus and mental clarity, while reducing anxiety.
From a spiritual standpoint, it’s great for aligning the mind, body, and spirit and helping you reach deeper levels of consciousness through meditation.
If you’re able to try out the Wim Hof Method, let me know how it goes for you!
Sending love, light, and healing energy your way! Don’t forget to subscribe to join the Ethereal Entries Club!
Thank you for sharing. I’m considering giving it a go.