Breathwork Before Bed: My Nightly Journey to Better Health

Curious about the last thing I do before I drift off each night? Well, it's not what you might think. Regardless of the day I've had or the occasional alcohol beverage consumed, I've dedicated the past five years to a nightly routine of 3-6 rounds of Wim Hof breathing. It's my non-negotiable wind-down ritual - 'haven't skipped a day since- and let me tell you, it's been a game-changer.

The Flu That Started It All

Six years ago, a brutal flu knocked me off my feet, and I was determined never to feel that vulnerable again. My quest to boost my immune system led me to the Wim Hof Method, highlighted by a 2011 Radboud University study that showed potential for controlling the autonomic nervous system and immune response through breathwork, cold exposure, and intention setting.

First Steps and Frigid Dips

Initially, I thought it was all about cold exposure. It seemed the most straightforward path to benefits—just turn down the thermostat and brave the chill. But a transformative trip to a Wim Hof expedition in Poland with my partner, Nils Maes , expanded my horizons. There, immersed in intense daily breathing exercises, I discovered the true power of breathwork.

Struggles and Breakthroughs

Initially, the breathwork exercises felt challenging. I struggled to keep pace with the group and was frustrated seeing others easily reach profound states of awareness, expressing intense reactions like spacing out, crying or laughter, while I felt out of place. However, persistence paid off, and by the end of the week, I had found my rhythm. The 45-minute guided meditation led by Wim Hof was a profound experience. Although I didn't experience visions or out-of-body phenomena, I tapped into a deep emotional release. During a period of significant personal difficulties, the breathwork emerged as a powerful tool. It allowed me to move beyond my usual patterns of over-thinking and rationalizing, helping me to dive deep into emotional healing without getting stuck in my head.

The Transformation

Since embracing breathwork fully, I've seen remarkable changes:

• Improved Lung Capacity: My breathing sessions have evolved. They're more intense, with shorter rest periods, pushing my lung capacity and enhancing the emotional depth of each session.
• Boosted Immune System: I used to catch every cold going around, but now my daily breathwork seems to have fortified my immune defenses.
• Visions of light: Almost every session now includes a burst of light between my eyes that happens at the moment of the retention of the inhale. First time it happened, I opened my eyes to check if Nils had turned the light on. It's a purely physical phenomenon that you also might get when you put some light pressure on your eyes, but it when it happens, it feels really calming as well. It's the perfect way to fall asleep for me.

Join Us

• In the next linkedin Live, Nils will be guiding a Wim Hof breathing session for you! Find a quiet place to breath, and start your day off with some high-quality breathing.
• Interested in experiencing this for yourself? Keep an eye out for SkillsGym Health experience days, where Nils leads breathwork sessions that might just change your life. Breathwork isn't just a practice; it's a journey to the depths of your soul and a tool for profound personal transformation. Find more info and register here.

Recommended Resources

If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of breathwork, here are a few resources that I've found invaluable along my journey:

• Guided breathing: Guided breathing session by Wim Hof on youtube
• Wim Hof's Official Website: Learn directly from the source about the Wim Hof Method.
• ‘Breath’ by James Nestor, A great introduction to the power of Breathwork, explaining the science of impact on the physiology 
• "The Way of The Iceman" by Wim Hof: A book that details techniques and the science behind them.
• Radboud University Study on Wim Hof Method: For the science buffs who want a deeper understanding of the physiological impacts.
• Heart Coherence Breath: I talked about a simple timer for this great technique for resetting the nervous system to calm throughout the day during the Linkedin Live

Breathwork has not only been a remedy but a revelation. It's a testament to the power of turning inward and genuinely listening to what your body and mind need. Why not give it a try tonight? You might just breathe your way to better health and a deeper connection with yourself.

Or better yet, join us for our LinkedIn Live session on May 8th at 9am. Start your day with a guided Wim Hof Breathing Session by Nils - Register here.

Hope to see you there, you don't want to miss it!