I woke up feeling awful. Nausea. Fatigue. My stomach in knots.

It was a sunny Sunday in Marbella, and I had been looking forward to lunch with friends at Chiringuito Café Victor - dancing, laughing, and enjoying the sea breeze.

But now? I just wanted to crawl back into bed and cancel everything.

Then, I remembered Wim Hof.

Months earlier, my friend Maria had introduced me to Wim Hof’s breathing method. Maria, now in her 70s, radiates health and energy—proof that aging and vitality can go hand in hand.

Let your body do what it's capable of doing

She told me his method could reduce inflammation, boost energy, and sharpen the mind. I nodded, intrigued but unconvinced. Another wellness trend? I filed it away under "things to try later.”

But that morning, with nothing to lose, I gave it a shot.

I found a guided video on YouTube, lay down, and started breathing. Deep, rhythmic inhales. Exhales. A pause.

My body tingled. My mind cleared.

Within 10 minutes, everything changed.

The nausea and fatigue melted away. In their place, I felt an unexpected surge of energy and clarity that made me feel alive again.

I made it to lunch. And I danced, laughed, and felt completely present under the sun

Why I keep coming back

I now practice Wim Hof breathing at least three times a week. Sometimes I forget, but I always return. The benefits pull me back, again and again:

• A deep sense of calm

• An energy boost

• A flow of new ideas, giving me fresh perspectives on current thoughts

• Relief from inflammation - whether it's muscle soreness or minor aches, this method often helps it fade away faster. Maybe it's placebo, maybe it's real, but if I keep practicing, it works.

For those unfamiliar, Wim Hof breathing involves deep, rhythmic breath cycles followed by short breath holds. The effects? More oxygen, less inflammation, and a stronger stress response - training your body to handle challenges with resilience.

Try it - see what happens

If you’re wondering whether to try it, take this as your sign.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to commit forever. Just try it once and see what happens.

Who knows? Like me, you might find it becomes more than a practice - a tool for feeling stronger, clearer, and more alive.

As I write this, I think of Maria - her wisdom, her glow, her effortless belief in small but powerful changes.

Her example reminds me that taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is a breath.

So, have you tried Wim Hof breathing? I’d love to hear your story.