It’s probably happened to you: you’re enjoying a wonderfully warm shower. And then some scoundrel turns on the hot water tap in the kitchen. Suddenly, your shower is ice cold. You jump out screaming and stomp, dripping, to the kitchen. Darn it…
Admittedly, we used to curse in the shower too when someone else turned on the hot tap in the kitchen. But not anymore.
A Cold Trick
It started in 2016 with the book A Cold Trick, by and about Wim Hof. We knew Wim from TV and were initially just curious. But as we read, we became increasingly convinced that cold showers could be very healthy. And for a notorious cold-sensitive person (Annet), it seemed like the ideal preparation for a sailing expedition to Spitsbergen.
So we started finishing our showers with cold water every day. First a few seconds (eek). Then half a minute (just bearable). Now a minute or longer (wonderful).
The Wim Hof Method
After those cold showers, we were hooked. We took a cold training — with an ice bath! — with Don Richardson, a certified Wim Hof Method instructor, and we were sold. Don taught us the special breathing technique that comes with the method, told us everything about the necessary mindset, and had a whole range of exercises up his sleeve. All to turn us into convinced lovers of the cold. And it worked!
Enjoying the cold is, of course, ideal when you’re sailing your sailboat among ice floes, but even at home, we benefit daily from the skills we gained during cold training.
Moreover, scientific research from Erasmus University shows that cold training according to the Wim Hof Method provides:
- more energy
- a boost for your immune system
- easier relaxation and better sleep
- an improvement in your concentration and focus
- it’s good for your heart and blood vessels
- and for burning white fat (= weight loss)
But also for:
- better athletic performance and faster recovery
- detoxifying your body
- better connection with your body and your feelings
- inner peace and strength
- and you can tolerate the cold much better + enjoy it (really)
Sailing Expedition with Cold Training
Our Sailing Expeditions with Cold Training – Above the Arctic Circle are a unique opportunity to experience how much you too can benefit from the cold and the Wim Hof Method. With the right mindset and techniques, you’ll learn to safely push your boundaries. All while enjoying views of snow-capped peaks and glaciers in the Arctic! Join the expedition!
