The past two years have been difficult for many of us. The lockdowns, isolation, endless debates and ever-changing rules all contributed to feelings of being overwhelmed and losing control of our lives. Reality itself seemed uncertain. People handled this in various ways, not all of them healthy (yes, my alcohol consumption increased noticeably). 

Most of us know that escapism is not the way to go; facing your fears and worries head-on is the only way to overcome them. But that's a difficult step to take, or at least it was for me. I managed to do it, though it left me wondering what else I could do to take back control of my life.

Making Changes

Last weekend I attended a workshop which accomplished exactly that. And I must say, it left me in awe. Over the course of just a few hours with a small group of people, I learned, step by step, how to regain control. The experience left me prepared to address and override fear, stress and anxiety.

Wim Hof Fundamentals

The workshop was called Wim Hof Fundamentals, and it was held in a yoga studio near Old Town Square. My friend Max Munson was running it and invited me to participate. I had heard of Wim Hof, and seen him occasionally on YouTube and Instagram, but never given any thought to his philosophy and accomplishments. It turns out that Hof, otherwise known as "The Iceman," holds 26 world records, including one for the longest amount of time submerged in ice (one hour, 53 minutes). Countless articles have been written about him in magazines and medical journals. He created a system called the Wim Hof Method that teaches people how to tap into their autonomic nervous system. It employs breathing exercises, mental focus and cold exposure to improve your physiology. Simply put, the Wim Hof Method is a way to keep your body and mind functioning in their optimal natural state.