If I had a dime for every time I heard the word 'Unprecedented' so far this year, I'd be a very rich lady. Then I'd be happy, and that would be that...But would it?....
The mystery, the suspense... Just get to the point Bella...AND that my friends is my metaphor for 2020. The year of unambiguity.
As I sat planning my 'content' (insert American accent) for future blogs...eg. 'My Half Marathon' nope, 'Adventures of Barcelona' no-can do, 'My holiday to Menorca' sorry not this year, 'My birthday party with more than 6 people' not this time soz. I soon discovered... drumroll please; non of the prior events actually existed. For this is the year of the NOW, with a ver vague planned future. As an individual who loves organisation and neat agends, 2020 has left my calendar resembling a hyperactive Childs colouring book. I don't know about you, but all this wishy washy, what- if's, unprecedentedness mess, got me feeling a lil stress. She should become a poet, and she doesn't even know it...
I've had many epiphanies this year. (Cue eye roll). So if, unlike me, you don't read deeply into life on the daily, I am about to enlighten you with my take-away from this 'unprecedented' year so far...
"Let's not spoil good weather whilst worrying about the storm." (Jey Lopez)
'I'll be happy when..."
As summarised beautifully by Jay Lopez's quote above (perhaps Jennifer Lopez cousin I dunno), this year has taught me (forced me) to sit comfortably in the present moment. Belonging to a culture of ‘Ill be happy when….’ 2020 has quite literally gone “shut up you spoiled twat, look at what you have right now, and put a mask on while you’re at it”.
Staying in the now can be quite challenging at times. However, when we're forced to sit on the naughty step we can either get bored or discover wondrous things…
Dopamine Hit
In-fact imma hit you with some science. Dr. Andrew Huberman confirms we can get more of a dopamine hit in the pursuit of #goals. Interestingly, dopamine naturally increases our neuroplasticity (=our brain is more maliabe for new neural networks etc.). To put it simply, we have the power to attach reward to uncomfortable effort intrinsically, as opposed to extrinsic rewards.... Alas, I bring you my latest free, fun, freaky method to ensure ya'll embracing the present moment, whilst conditioning the body to deal with the unknown 2.0...
Yeah but no but.
Yeah But... Before this next chapter, I strongly recommend you dry your tears about your year not going the way you planned it. We are all on the same sinking Titanic ship, some of us are on Kate's level, some of us Leonardo's, some of us are the band playing sweet sweet music as we decent for the ice cold sea. On that note, with the greatest compassion and respect I must remind you... A pity party is a shitty party. LET'S GET STARTED:
"Just be happy, healthy, strong and the rest Is all bullshit."(Wim Hof)
A CULTURE OF COMFORT
Hoff, the man the myth the legend is a "Dutch extreme athlete noted for his ability to withstand freezing temperatures". (Wiki) Not to forget an absolute legend. Hoff argues that through our modern lifestyle, we are far too comfy and numbed by the culture we live in, thus disease is ripe and often misdiagnosed. Allegedly, the cure for this, requires us to go back to our primatial state, the way miss Mother Nature made us. How? Getting uncomfortable. Ffffs. Here she goes again.
Talking of being uncomfortable...When I was a wee las, I used to cry and tantrum, and generally be a stroppy little hoe, so much so that I used to be in such a tiz-woz I would hold my breath, turning blue da da dee die and passing out on occasions. Much to my parents dismay, I can confirm this type of riot gets you no-where. DUH starving your brain of oxygen is stupid, I hear you exclaim. AND what relevance does this have to the blog- ah hah, then I discovered a safe way to hold ones breath, minus the tears and blue lips.
•BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER I AM NO DOCTOR, PLEASE EXPERIMENT AT YOUR OWN RISK. HOWEVER IF IT GOES WELL, YOU CAN CREDIT ME.
THE METHOD
"GET HIGH ON YOUR OWN SUPPLY" (Wim Hof)
Through the 'Hormetic Stress effect' eg. positive and conscious controlled stress, the theory is you are forced to focus on the FEELS and adapt accordingly, eventually you let go of all the shite you hold onto on the daily. WE have the power to influence our ANS (autonomic nervous system). This is achieved in 2 marvellous ways...
1-BREATHING EXERCISES 'Fully in, let it go'
Quite literally through controlled breathe work "we got the power to be the alchemist within our body" YAS. Through this special breathing we are capable of getting deep into different brain states; alpha, beta, gama, theta. BEFORE you call me out on my bullshit, watch the delightful video at the end of the blog so you can witness the wizardry for yourself. Most peoples response would be, "U just holding your breathe until you pass out dumb-ass", in theory yes. But let me elaborate...
It's called Controlled Hypoxia 'actually'.
From this controlled Jackass type stunt, the body is deprived of oxygen supply, fight or flight kicks in, ye hah, adrenaline is activated, the body hits reset. Comfort zone is thrown out the window along with your consciousness as your body quite literally feels high and we shed our mediocre state of vascular conditioning. Through this deep meditative state, the blood flows to deeper parts of the brain and the euphoric feelings rise. Trust me when I tell yah it's the craziest, most amazing feeling ever. A brain orgasm at its finest.
FYI - I am not going to explain the exact steps, you can try this breathing exercise for yourself with Wim via You Tube or the free Mobile App!
2- COLD WATER EXPOSURE 'A cold shower a day keeps the doctor away'
The less whack method of the two is cold water therapy. This can be achieved through ice baths, sea dips, cold showers etc. whatever takes yah fancy. I myself prefer the occasional sea dip, or the implementation of cold showers into my daily routine. Feels shite at first but then you learn to love it as you jump around your shower like an excited child. Buzzin.
To tolerate and learn to enjoy the cold water I strongly recommend working on the breath work as well. (I personally have it nice and warm, do my shower thang, then turn it cold for 30-40 seconds then jump out). Through torturing oneself like this, the metabolic rate during and after is boosted (to keep the body warm), thus the immune system is activated and the increase of white blood cells and brown fat (a fat able to release energy as oppose to storing energy). Mind blown.
"This shit works" (Wim Hof)
Yes it does Wim....
Since implementing these bad boys into my routine I have felt less like a moo cow, less stressed, more awareness of when I feely aggy, more energised, healthier, slept better, trimmer. Transformed my perceptions of what's possible. The list is endless. YAWN. The best part, this method if FREE.
FINALLY, the bit you've all been waiting for. An un-edited, uggerz, real-life video of yours truly. Luckily for you I recorded my out-of-body experience doing the Wim Hoff Breathe work. THANK ME LATER...
ANDDD on that note.
Stay present, enjoy the journey, question everything.
Love and Light
Until next time
Bella
Xx
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