What do ice cold baths, breathing, and commitment have to do with mental health? Everything!! Anyone can go to a gym and exercise to increase physical strength and capacity, but how many ways do you know to directly exercise your mental/emotional strength? Enter the Wim Hof method. It is a system of consistent practice of a simple breathing technique and cold exposure that can help you unlock a host of benefits including;
- Increased energy
- Better sleep
- Reduced stress levels
- Heightened focus & determination
- Increased willpower
I’ve been practicing and sharing the Wim Hof method with my clients as an adjunct to individual therapy. The cold is a metaphor for what you fear. It’s an active way to learn how to reduce your anxiety, overcome your depression, increase your focus, and improve your overall physical health.
Mental health can’t be stressed enough, because it impacts how you feel about yourself and others. When you are in a good place mentally, you are able to better manage feelings and everyday difficulties. Everything is connected. There is such a high value placed on physical health but if we are not focusing on mental health to balance this equation, we are still missing the mark. When you have mental health issues you have less resilience and enjoyment in life. In many cases people need professional help to improve their mental health.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Most people don’t make mental health a priority until they find themselves plagued by it and most people will suffer from mental health issues at some point in their lives. Therefore, it is helpful to know that everyone can learn to do something active to improve their own mental health. There are a lot of natural ways to improve your mental health and I recommend a Bio/Psycho/Social/Spiritual approach to my clients.
- BIO:
Exercise. When you exercise, your body creates endorphin; a stress-reducing and mood-boosting hormone. That is why exercising is such a powerful tool to improve mental health. Start adding exercises in your daily routine.
Good meals. Try to eat foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, notably fatty fish.
Enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is conducive to a bad mood, and is terrible for your mental health. It is recommended to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per day. - PSYCHO:
Focus on one thing. Try not to multitask too much and focus on what is really important. When your mind starts to wander, try to get back to your main task. - Social:
Connect with others. Hang out with close friends and family that believe in you and provide emotional nourishment. Stay away or limit your connection to people that bring you down. - Spiritual:
Value yourself. Be proud of what you have accomplished and think positive. Having a positive image of yourself has a very powerful effect on how you feel.
Stay tuned for more information on the the Wim Hof Meth