15 JAN 2019: This is it, folks. We’re halfway through January, the weather is cold, grey and depressing. Our holiday debts are rolling in and thoughts of summer sun feel like a dream. This is not a drill, and you are not alone. In fact, this feeling is so widespread that health experts have coined the term “Blue Monday”. But, what if I told you there was a way to take back control of your energy, health, and motivation – even now in the most depressing time of the year.

Cue the Iceman.

Maybe you’ve heard of him? He ran a half marathon above the arctic circle barefoot. Barefoot! Oh, and he did it wearing only a pair of shorts.

The arctic marathon is just the beginning. He has also climbed Mount Everest (also in shorts), and he holds the record for time spent submerged in an ice bath (nearly two whole hours). Just for kicks, he also ran a marathon in the desert with no water, and on a separate occasion, was injected with an infectious endotoxin in a lab to prove he would not get sick.

The best part? He’s just a regular guy with no secret superpowers; just a method that he shares with everyone. A method that is allowing people like you and me to achieve great things by reclaiming control over our bodies.

I’ll be honest, I have very little desire to run a half marathon as it is, let alone barefoot and at sub-zero temperatures. But, better sleep, more energy, and better mood? Yes, please. And realistically this is just the tip of the iceberg. Many people are also using his techniques to reduce pain and support their immune function, even finding relief from various autoimmune conditions!

His name is Wim Hof. Born in the Netherlands, he found solace and power in the ice while grieving the tragic loss of his wife. Since then his accomplishments and unorthodox techniques have been drawing attention. Science and skeptics have been following him closely to try to understand just how all of this is possible. As the scientific evidence builds, so does his following.

So how is all of this possible?

The three pillars of the Wim Hof Method involve a breathing technique, cold exposure, and cultivating the right mindset. He wants to share his method with as many people as possible and welcomes groups at a time to experience the Winter Expedition. This is a wellness retreat taken to the next level. This retreat involves various activities and engaging exercises that train your nervous, immune and cardiovascular systems and optimize energy levels.

It works because cold exposure kickstarts a domino effect of health benefits that include a buildup of brown fat (which burns calories), less pain and inflammation (think of an ice pack), and boosts immune function, hormone balance, supports sleep and produces a whack of those feel-good endorphins.

As if that weren’t enough, the cold exposure is coupled with a particular breathing technique that involves taking in more oxygen than you release. Intentionally taking in more oxygen is key to improving energy levels and boosting immune system function as well as lighting the internal fire that keeps you warm out in the cold.

Finally, the bow that ties this whole method together: the mindset. Even with all of the benefits listed above, the cold is still dangerous and the risk of hypothermia is real. You cannot simply throw yourself into the snow in your bathing suit and expect to reap these rewards. There must be an intention and a focus to utilize the breath to harness the power of your survival techniques. Techniques, Wim argues, that have been atrophying with the modern comforts of Western society. When you take care to implement all of these pillars together you might be surprised at what you can achieve.

Thousands of people have already spent time with Wim Hof in the scenic hills of Poland’s countryside where the crisp air and snowy landscapes take you far from the comforts of home. This setting reconnects you to your inner power and pushes the boundaries of your physical and spiritual limits. The winter experience includes many activities and engaging exercises and concludes with a hike up Mount Åšnieżka.

Maybe you’re not about to jump feet first into the ice water. Or maybe you think this is a bunch of hogwash. Either way, you can’t argue with the science that demonstrates the benefits of cold exposure. Maybe you don’t ever hike Mount Everest in shorts, or run a marathon barefoot in the Arctic, but maybe you do start taking cold showers (or at least turn the water cold for a second before you get out). When people from all around the world are using this new approach to change their lives, it’s hard to ignore. So the next time someone asks your opinion on a cool new travel experience, perhaps an ice bath or a chilly mountain hike in swimwear is in order?