Wim Hof Method reduces stress

This blog post is about how people can use the Wim Hof Method to reduce stress in very difficult circumstances.

I'm sitting here in a cosy room, looking out onto the Atlantic. The sky is still dark, the sun hasn't risen yet and the moon is just-about visible on the horizon. I witnessed something incredible yesterday and I want to tell you about it.

We all face difficulties. We all face stress. There is always something we're struggling with. In some ways, the problems just keep coming. We can't change that. But, we can change how we deal with them. How we react to them. How they affect us.

At our Conquer the Cliffs Retreat here in Clare, that is what people have been learning to do. And it all fell into place yesterday high on the Cliffs of Moher in the howling wind.

The first night of the retreat people faced the ice baths. It was difficult. Some people struggled. The next morning, again people faced their fears in the ice. The following evening, under the stars, things had changed. Everyone got into the ice again. But, this time, they all found a sense of control and peace by themselves. Michelle (an amazing Wim Hof instructor who is teaching with me) and I stepped back and let them find their own way. Then, I knew they were ready.

They were ready to conquer the cliffs. They were ready to reduce stress under very difficult circumstances.

So, their challenge was to strip down to as little clothes as possible and hike a long, arduous trail on the very top of the Cliffs of Moher. It was freezing. The wind was howling. Everyone used what they had learnt to deal with the pressure of the elements. Of course, we call this part of the retreat Conquer the Cliffs. But, what we really mean, is that we learn to conquer the cliffs within. We learn how to conquer the things that we struggle against. We learn to use our breath and our focus to conquer the pressure.

And they did. It was hard. They had to apply everything they had learnt and it was a privilege to witness.

Now, today, we have another challenge for them. It will be no problem. Why? Because they've learnt to conquer their cliffs.