Fitness & MMA Blog – BlackBeltWhiteHat.com

Fitness blogger Drew Griffiths claims that a daily cold shower and a weekly dip in the River Alyn in North Wales - has remarkable health benefits. Following the breathing and cold water immersion methods of scientific Dutch marvel - Wim Hof, Drew says that he has been able to stop using a range of medication including anti inflammatories thanks to the healing properties of the cold water. Cold water immersion has been a health promoting practice in many cultures for centuries, cold water baths were even prescribed to Van Gogh during his time in the asylum. Modern scientific research is beginning to back the practice, with a 2007 study showing the cold water showers are "a potential treatment for depression". Additional scientific literature suggests that repeated cold water immersion may reduce, but not completely abolish our response to stress, meaning that we, in theory, would get less aggravated by a slow internet connection or a delayed train, for example. Stress appears to be relative and because our daily lives are often absent of significant physical stress, we can over react when trivial things don't go our way. The body also adapts to the cold by producing more 'brown fat'. This is a metabolically active form of fat that actually burns calories at an amazing rate - keeping you warm and slim at the same time. This process of brown fat accumulation does take time however, so Drew warns that cold water exposure should gradually be increased week by week, starting with a 30 second blast of cold water at the end of a normal shower. Drew says that there are a range of traditional practices that have been lost due to the influence of the pharmaceutical industry; but have begun to make a comeback thanks to an increased body of research. For example, visiting the beach has proven health benefits thanks to the 'negative ions' that are found in the sea air, and the practice of 'grounding' or walking barefoot has also been studied extensively in recent years and has proven positive effects on the body & mind in terms of wellbeing and mental health. Diet also has a huge influence on mental health, yet remains an untapped resource in terms by many suffering from depression and anxiety. If an individual's diet is deficient in nutrients, or is high in pro-inflammatory foods such as sugar and other refined foods this can have a huge impact on gut health, which in turn influences both physical and mental wellbeing. In addition, for those of us working indoors all day, lack of sunlight can have a directly increase incidences of depression - this issue is estimated to impact 1 billion people worldwide. Vitamin D is not only a vitamin, it is a hormone that plays an important role in the immune system, calcium absorption and brain functioning. Drew concludes by saying that although many people do need the help of medical doctors and pharmacology, many people suffering from 'mild issues' would find huge benefits from improvements in diet, increases in physical activity, exposure to sunlight and meaningful social interactions which provide a sense of community. Links: Drew Griffiths - http://blackbeltwhitehat.com/about/authors/drew-griffiths/ Wim Hof - https://www.wimhofmethod.com/ 2007 study - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17993252 Studied extensively - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/

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Protected: Wild Swimming – a Miracle Cure or a Danger?

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Protected: Wild Swimming – a Miracle Cure or a Danger?

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