How lifestyle affects the health of our mitochondria

Mitochondria The powerhouses of our cells Lifestyle has a major impact on mitochondrial health. An unhealthy lifestyle, damages mitochondria making them work less efficiently and disrupting the energy supply of the cell as a whole. Mitochondria are the power plants of our cells and thus essential for the body in its functioning. Chronic stress, lack of sleep and/or exercise, unhealthy diet, smoking, processed food, ... damage the health of our mitochondria. We take a closer look & learn more about them in the text below. What are mitochondria & how do we provide our body with the energy it needs to function properly? A mitochondrion is oval in shape & enclosed by two membranes. According to Professor Enzo Nisoli, an adult human possesses more than 10 trillion mitochondria, accounting for 10% of his total body weight. Mitochondria are responsible for making energy. They are our energy factories and determine the fate of a cell. Thus, they choose whether a cell will stay alive or die. It is important to think of mitochondria as much more than a simple cell component whose job is to convert fuel into energy. They literally dispose of life and death. What are mitochondria? Mitochondria are bacteria with which our bodies have formed a synergistic partnership in evolution. We give them nutrition and they give us energy. They are the power plants of our cells. They direct the genetic orchestra that determines the rate at which cells divide, age and die. They also signal which genes in a cell are switched on and provide fuel for the formation of new neural networks. In short; properly functioning mitochondria provide energy to trillions of cells and support a variety of essential functions in the body. DNA of mitochondria The DNA in mitochondria comes from the mother's birth line. This means that the source of energy that sustains your life comes exclusively from the women in your family tree. Boosting mitochondrial health through intermittent living interventions During our cold or heat workshop, we combine 6 acute stress stimuli that when combined, trigger a 'reset' of the mitochondria and the body. In both workshops, you are asked to stop eating and drinking the night before so that you do the entire workout sober. Periods of fasting improve function by reducing the production of free radicals. by adding Intermittent Living interventions to your lifestyle, you improve mitochondrial health AND your body's strength and resilience. Cold Training Follow Where are mitochondria located in a cell? Mitochondria resemble elongated granules, hence the name. Mitos & chondrin come from the Greek word for 'thread' and 'grain'. They are found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells (in other words, in all cells of our body). What fuels mitochondria Mitochondria can use oxygen, glucose, amino acids and free fatty acids as fuel and convert them into ATP (energy) through oxidative phosphorylation. This process releases water, heat carbon dioxide and 36 ATP. This process is also called oxidative metabolism because it requires oxygen, in the same way that oxygen is required for combustion. In the mitochondria, sugars and fatty acids are broken down step by step, releasing energy. Sugars are split by enzymes (proteins) into the smallest version of sugar, the fuel glucose. With the help of oxygen, energy is made from burning glucose. In disease, unhealthy lifestyle or malfunctioning mitochondria and oxygen supply, the mitochondrion switches to aerobic glucoslysis (warburg effect), where it can burn only glucose and glutamine without oxygen. This releases (only) 2 ATP, lactate and biomass. Briefly, this is not a problem but if this becomes chronic it leads to breakdown and destruction of mitochondria and cells. This is how we become ill. The energy or life force produced by the mitochondria is stored in a chemical 'battery', a unique molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The energy-rich ATP can be transported to all parts of the cell. With the help of certain enzymes, the energy can be released again. Besides providing fuel, mitochondria also create reactive oxygen species, better known as free radicals. Aimed at your continued personal growth and well-being Personal Growth Pathway This pathway teaches you to flow with change with gentleness and power in 2.5 months, through teachings, breathwork and a safe space for growth and self-discovery. More info Breathwork Sessions Experience deep peace and clarity as you use powerful breathing techniques to break through blockages and release energy. More info Follow-up Track This is the follow-up to the Personal Growth Track where we meet once a month for integration and adjustment in daily life. A journey to your essence, in which you become fully empowered. More info The functions of mitochondria Supplying energy Involved in Apoptosis Producing free radicals Maintaining health Producing heat Apoptosis Hippocrates was the first to use the term 'Apoptosis'. The literal meaning is 'the falling of the leaves from the tree'. Apoptosis is the process by which cells destroy themselves. The death of a cell is not just a negative, it is an essential function. This process allows an organism to grow and heal itself. Mitochondria determine whether a cell continues to live or will die. Explained in an example: Apoptosis already starts in the womb. During embryonic development, a human's hands primarily resemble the legs of a frog, with membranes between the fingers. The death of the cells of these membranes causes the limbs to change, creating individual fingers. After birth, apoptosis is the body's standard procedure to get rid of unnecessary cells and make room for new, healthier cells. Free Radicals Free radicals have important and beneficial effects on human physiology. They play a key role in regulating apoptosis. Although the suicide that

Intermittent Drinking

water fasting Intermittent Drinking We all know that it is important to drink enough, BUT not all day long. Intermittent drinking is about frequency and not quantity. Intermittent bulk drinking is defined as drinking until a feeling of satiety, regulated by a slight thirst. Besides reducing the number of times we drink, we go deeper into the effects of water fasting. When we water fast, we drink nothing for a period of time. This method has been used for thousands of years for various reasons. A water-fasting period usually lasts 1-3 days (24-72 hours). Longer is also possible, but we do not recommend this without guidance. The main reason why people water fast is to improve their overall health. We go into a bit more detail about it below ⇓. Drink when you are thirsty Do you know the feeling of real thirst? When is the last time you consciously experienced that feeling? The answer is quite simple when you were able to drink away half a litre or more in one sitting. If we go back in evolution, we see that sometimes people did not drink for days, simply because water was not available. If we didn't drink for three days, the brain withdrew fluid from other parts of the body to keep functioning. Our bodies are not made to drink without thirst. When we drink throughout the day by taking sips of water, tea or other drinks, we constantly activate our immune system to protect us from bacteria and other pathogens. Besides, by drinking a little bit each time, you disrupt the natural fluid and mineral balance and have to urinate a lot as a result. Why the following belief is a lie: "We should drink one and a half to two litres of water a day" Listen to your own body. Are you thirsty? Then drink! But beware, many people drink 2 to 3 litres a day "by default" just "because they have to". It is a belief we have been taught. Health authorities are currently still all too happy to advise it: "you should drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day". This is a rule they believe applies to every human being. If we think logically, this cannot be right. Being thirsty is not bad, just as being hungry is not bad either, as long as it is brief. When we drink all day long, we put our bodies under continuous stress. Our bodies are not made to drink all day long. How do I start Intermittent Drinking? Don't drink all day, limit the number of drinking occasions to 3 times a day. Exercise intensively for 40 to 60 minutes and finish with a sauna or hot yoga session. Wait to drink until after the session. Are you done? Then go bulk drinking until you are satiated. Water fasting Water fasting can be done by drinking NOTHING for 24 hours, for example. As with Intermittent fasting, build this up. For example, start by not drinking anything from 7pm to 7am and build up to 24 hours. NOTE: Ideally, you combine water and food fasting as food also contains moisture and thus breaks the water fast. Health Benefits Intermittent Drinking Mild momentary thirst is a super powerful stress trigger. It causes: Growth of the hippocampus Lowering blood pressure via vasopressin Removal of toxins from the body DNA repair Better learning to maintain fluid balance More efficient thermoregulation What substances are released in the body during water fasting? Vasopressin Thirst triggers the release of vasopressin, a hormone that lowers blood pressure. Vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus and then released by the posterior pituitary gland. Vasopressin plays an important role in regulating water balance in the body. Here are some of its main functions: Water retention: One of the main functions of vasopressin is to promote water retention in the body. The hormone regulates the reabsorption of water in the kidneys, reducing the amount of water excreted in the urine. Regulation of urine production: By increasing the reabsorption of water in the kidneys, vasopressin reduces the amount of urine produced. This reduces water loss through urine and helps preserve body fluids. Blood pressure regulation Regulation of thirst: Plays a role in regulating thirst response. The "Trust And Love" Hormone Oxytocin Recent research shows that "thirst response" not only regulates water and mineral balance, but also the "trust and love" hormone oxytocin, while decreasing the production of the typical stress hormone cortisol. A hot environment, dryness and increased sweating activate oxytocin production, just as breastfeeding does for mother and child. This hormone is also known as the "trust and love" hormone. Oxytocin has several positive effects on the immune system: Reduces the inflammatory response, making the body better able to fight infections and diseases Stimulates the production of antibodies, which strengthens the immune system and improves resistance to pathogens What is bulk drinking and how do you do it? Start the day by drinking a larger amount of water at once. Continue drinking until your body says stop and you feel you can't drink any more. Learn to listen to your body. Drink only when you are thirsty and then keep drinking until you are completely satiated. 1 drink takes about 10minutes. So that can also mean drinking more one day than the next; depending on weather conditions; how much you exercise and what you eat. Why do we go waterfasting? First and foremost, to improve our health. When we don't drink for an extended period, we purify our body and mind. Secondly, the metabolism is literally reset, so our body no longer runs on glucose, but rather on fat reserves. This causes a gradual decrease in body fat. Moreover, your body purifies itself

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting Intermittent fasting (IF) or 'intermittent fasting' Intermittent Fasting does not dictate what you eat but when and how long you eat and do not eat. Of all the options we can do to extend our lifespan, intermittent fasting is one of the most effective. Fasting means not eating calories. When you fast and stop eating then a superpower is released. When there is enough food, our body stores the extra energy in the form of fat, under the house and around internal organs. When food is scarce, that fat is sent to the liver where it is converted into ketone, an alternative energy source. These ketones provide energy in an emergency. Not only for our bodies, but also for our brains. You can fast in many ways, therefore there are countless protocols. They all have one thing in common. They reduce the number of calories we eat. In a world where so many people overeat, this is essential for how we can live longer and healthier lives. Symptoms of Insulin Resistance Do you experience the following feelings when you are hungry? Dry skin Acne Hair loss Energy dip after eating Excessive sweating Grumpy Emotional Grumpy Tired Then chances are you are insulin resistant.Intermittent fasting is a solution to address this! Walk the path of a healthy body and brain. In clinical Psychoneuroimmunology, we always ask the question; how did humans solve their problems in evolution? It is said that we have been genetically the same beings for about 250,000 years of which we have lived and survived as hunter gatherers for 240,000 years. There are still such tribes living in Africa among others, do you think these people choose not to eat for a certain time? Or would there be some other reason why we in the 21st century choose to do intermittent fasting for all sorts of reasons? Humans, like every other animal on this globe, have survived based on necessities such as; hunger but also thirst, cold, threat and other short-term stressors. Also called primal stressors, because our genes have developed programmes to deal with them. So, the hunter gatherers go looking for food when they are hungry, we call that sober movement. A new era but still the same genes, could that possibly be a cause of all the chronic diseases? WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? Intermittent fasting 16/8 The most well-known method of intermittent fasting is 16/8. In which you don't eat for 16 hours and eat for 8 hours. It is a very good way to start fasting because it gives you a clear distinction between eating and fasting. You make this decision consciously which makes you make a commitment, leading to good results. The unfortunate thing is that a lot of people repeat this ad nauseam, the same pattern every day; fast until 12pm and eat until 8pm and fast again. Is this bad? Not at all, it is obviously better than not fasting but the 'unexpected' is lost making life very predictable again, which makes us sick. Ideally, make pure chaos out of your eating schedule. Alternate daily between a 12am and 2am foodwindow. Already more advanced? Then go on a 24h fast and enjoy the clarity in your head and lightness in your body. Intermittent Fasting schedule With the intermittent fasting example schedule below, you can build up slowly and make sure your body adapts. If you go too fast, you may experience headaches, feeling dizzy/sluggish, shaky legs or other symptoms. Ideally, you should start moving intensively for a few minutes when you experience this. You feel this through an "energy deficit" that you can solve by moving. From science, we know that 18h of fasting and a foodwindow of 6h contains the most positive effect, namely the production of pre-prandial insulin. Freely translated, this means the insulin released BEFORE you eat. You can experience this when your mouth is watering. In this state, your body is completely ready to absorb food and then digest it as best it can. Week 1 3 days 14h fasting per day Week 2 5 days 14h fasting per day Week 3 2 days 16h fasting per day, the next 2 days 14h fasting + start exercising 1-2 times sober (e.g. walking, gentle jogging, yoga,...) Week 4 4 days 18h fasting and 2x sober exercise What to eat after fasting? What foods do you break intermittent fasting with? It's a question I often get. Avoid refined foods Avoid processed foods like bread, pasta, salads, vegetable oils, sugar, lactose and prepared meals as much as possible. Choose foods without an ingredient label (= fresh fruit and vegetables) supplemented should include poultry, meat, fish, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds and kernels. Divide your plate as follows The 1st meal, with which you break the fast, it is best to eat fewer carbohydrates. Keep those for the last meal, these raise your blood sugar levels and you prefer to disturb them as little as possible during the day. 1/3rd Carbs complex carbohydrates such as pumpkin, beetroot, parsnips, celeriac, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and fruit. 1/3rd Protein as indicated above best from poultry, meat, eggs, nuts like almonds, cashew, pistachio, chia seeds(as pudding) pumpkin and sunflower seeds. 1/3rd Fats Use real grass-fed butter, olive, coconut and avocado oil, olives, avocados, hemp and flax seeds, oily fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, oysters and other seafood. Dark chocolate is also part of this! Intermittent Fasting benefits Autophagy is triggered (our body cleverly recycles its own cellular waste into building blocks for new proteins and cells. It stimulates your body to tap into fat reserves as energy. It protects you against type 2 diabetes by making you more sensitive to insulin. It can be relieving for your digestion because you leave more space between your meals to, among other things, cleanse your bowels and push out food leftovers. It can have a positive impact on your blood pressure, cholesterol, concentration and clarity, among other things... Autophagy One of the reasons why intermittent fasting is so

Discover the secrets of Cold Therapy

Cold therapy Exposure to cold leads to hugely powerful health benefits Being cold is intense; for many people, this is way out of their comfort zone. We humans thrive when the going gets tough. At such times, you learn about your physiology and mindset. There is now plenty of scientific evidence available proving that extreme temperatures extend your lifespan. Not too hot, not too cold, we are happiest when we are somewhere in the middle. You would think that a pleasant temperature is the best way to stay healthy. However, new research shows that extreme cold and extreme heat force your body to upgrade its defences. The impact of cold on humans Cold, evolutionarily speaking, has always been a determinant of health. There have been ice ages when life was barely possible on Earth. In recent centuries, winter returned to the country every year. Several months a year, therefore, the temperature of the water and outdoor air dropped sharply. Survival and reproduction have always been the 2 necessities of homo sapiens. Cold is a form of Hormesis First of all, distinguish between acute stress (short, one-off stress) and chronic stress (ongoing, continuous stress due to work pressure, bad relationships, bad sleep or financial stress). The latter is disastrous for health. Hormetic stressors, on the other hand, are controlled, acute stressors that trigger a healthy response that is adaptive in nature, i.e. it allows you to come back stronger the next time you face that stressor. But it's more than just acute versus chronic, because the dose is also important. Think of something like oxygen: in the right amounts, it sustains life, but if it increases too much, it becomes harmful! In real life, hormesis is what things like intermittent fasting, exposure to cold, exposure to heat and exercise have in common. A prolonged dose of any of these things is detrimental (intermittent fasting for too long and you starve, for example!). But short bursts knock you out of your comfort zone of balance (homeostasis), activating signalling pathways that promote stress resistance, cell and DNA repair, reduced inflammation, enhanced detoxification and improved blood sugar regulation. In fact, research in 2020 suggests that the absence of acute stressors prevents your body's ability to slow ageing. Benefits of cold on our bodies Freeing up energy Feel more energetic, happier and cheerful Freeing up energy When exposed to cold, the body produces extra energy to maintain its core temperature. Firstly, extra energy is released via the sympathetic nervous system (an acute stress response) on top of the glucose and free fatty acids already present in the bloodstream. This energy can be converted into heat via mitochondria (energy factories that produce up to 60% of heat). This is also called non shivering thermogenesis. Adipose tissue has an important part to play here by producing watokines (=white fat) and batokines (=brown fat). When the heat produced is insufficient or the cold stimulus is too intense, the nervous system also appeals to the muscles to produce heat. This often causes you to tremble uncontrollably (=muscle contractions to produce heat). Feel more energetic, happy and cheerful The production of dopamine, endorphins and noradrenaline increases dramatically. This makes you feel instantly more energetic, happy and cheerful. Because the skin is brightly stimulated, attention is literally taken out of your head and drawn to your body. All this has an anti-depressant effect, which is strongly scientifically substantiated. Strong vasodilation (= dilation of blood vessels) will take place AFTER a cold stimulus has taken place. During a cold stimulus you will feel that your hands and feet in particular receive little warm blood (this is due to vasoconstriction = the constriction of blood vessels, in the limbs). How does this come about I hear you ask? Because all the warm blood is kept in the core of the body AND the brain. Create an anti inflammatory immune system The immune system undergoes adjustments to an anti inflammatory system, making the immune system less compelled to inflame. This is partly due to the production of immune cells (cytokines such as interleukin 4 and 10). These immune cells cause fat cells to divide so they do not inflame AND increase the insulin sensitivity of adipose tissue. Taking a cold bath yourself? Attend a workshop, step into your own power and experience the wonders of this stimulus! Immune system Exposure to cold forces the body to start up the microscopic repair systems, reducing the risk of disease and making us live years longer. Shock therapy We won't lie about it, your body will be shocked in cold water. Cold water triggers very powerful survival mechanisms. Our body initially experiences a gasp-reflex (kind of hyperventilation). It gasps for breath that way, which is normal. That is self-preservation. We keep that hyperventilation under control and don't let it get the better of us. Scientists confirm that if you can control your body's reaction to the cold, it is hugely beneficial to your health. As we get older, our in-built immune system fails more often than not. Through the blood vessels in the body, an unwanted flow of immune cells can cause collateral damage and do more harm than good. The resulting breakdown in tissues and organs is called "inflammaging". It fuels the two biggest killers in the modern world being heart disease and diabetes. Learning to reduce our response to the cold helps reset the detached immune system and reduce the risk of disease Where are the biggest benefits of cold? The greatest benefits lie in repeated exposure. This way, you train your own body to deal with cold more easily and efficiently. This decreases the intensity of the stimulus for your nervous system and increases your comfort zone. Your body's homeostasis (balance) is less violently disturbed, which will help you function better in stressful situations. Cold therapy benefits THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE Release of energy Increased production of dopamine, endorphins and noradrenaline Happier and more cheerful feeling Better mood Anti-depressant effect Adjustment to anti-inflammatory system Stronger immune system Increased alertness

The effect of heat exposure on our bodies

The effect of heat exposure on our bodies Intermittent heat interventions as a natural vaccine against the harmful effects of modern life. Regular saunas are good for your health. Something we often hear, but do you know why? During the adaptation process to higher temperatures, our bodies protect us by producing more special molecules called heat shock proteins. They are hugely effective in fighting disease. When exposed to scorching heat, the body sends out a "cleaning crew" aka heat shock proteins. These little heroes clean up the "mess" and sweep through cells. Heat shock proteins boost the immune system and promote longevity. They do this by protecting your cells and boosting whole-body recovery! Heat stress symptoms When you are too hot, you may not feel well. The body tries to cool down and works harder so that the heart can pump blood to the limbs. Possible feelings that occur are: Abdominal cramps while exercising Not being able to think properly Slack on the legs A head that is about to explode Your heart almost pounding out of your chest These are some symptoms that are strongly related to heat shock or overheating, among others. When the body cannot maintain its temperature, all kinds of symptoms occur that are potentially life-threatening. Possible reactions when it is too hot REDUCED SPIRIT CONTRACTION SPEED MORE FOUNDATION AT DIFFERENT TAKES LOSS OF RESPONSIBILITY INCREASE OF CORE TEMPERATURE REDUCTION OF EFFICIENCY OF MOVEMENT DURING INJURY REDUCTION OF WORK TEMPOR There is a difference between pleasant heat and heat. Before it is, the functioning of your body and brain is severely compromised. As a result, you can no longer perform properly. We also know heat as something very pleasant. Think of body heat, the sun, a fireplace, warm water, sauna, ... For many of us, these forms of heat just take away tension. As a result, heat is linked to deep relaxation, improved circulation and pain relief. We used to face different causes of death than today. For instance, starvation, dehydration, prolonged cold, heat and infections were at the forefront. Currently, we are used to living in a comfort zone. Living in comfort, however, has a downside. It makes your body less resistant and susceptible to chronic diseases.Heat interventions for better health Intermittent heat interventions make our body and brain more flexible and efficient.Intermittent living is a science-based concept where we administer acute stress stimuli. The more often you administer these acute stimuli to your body, the less stressful they become. Want to achieve the best results physiologically? Then combine the different stimuli with each other. For example, 3 stimuli or more on 1 day. The combination of the these acute stress stimuli creates antifragility or imperturbability of both the physical body and the brain's innovative problem-solving capacity. The results of integrating these principles have a profound impact on both physical and mental health. Heat Workshop The experience of others with Intermittent Heat Effects Prolonged heat has been one of the most devastating pressure factors in human evolution. Prolonged heat formed an adaptive system based on multiple heat shock proteins (HSP). Heat is therefore much more threatening to humans than cold. When you are cold, you can dress yourself, move, shiver, etc. All ways we can use to warm up the body. With heat, however, the situation is different. The only thing the body can do to cool down is to sweat. Exercising in extreme heat Our body temperature increases during exercise. From the moment you reach a certain threshold, the brain protects itself and further muscle contraction and heat production is no longer allowed. This has a disruptive effect on brain functioning and it disrupts the neurological control of muscles, increasing our susceptibility to injury. David Goffin experienced the effects of extreme heat during the Australian Open where temperatures of nearly 40 degrees put an early end to his campaign: "You don't see as clearly, you don't move as well and you feel a bit heavy. Then you start making mistakes." "While normothermia (comfort) seems harmful to humans, the use of mild intermittent heat stress may serve as a cure for obesity and related disorders. " It has long been known that higher temperatures reduce appetite and protect against obesity. This is controlled from the brain (hypothalamus), in combination with peripheral hormones, such as grhelin and leptin. How to deploy Intermittent Heat to prepare our bodies for extreme heat? By training our thermoregulation. We can do this by exercising with multiple garments, for example, or by a thorough sauna visit before or after we make a physical effort. Would you like to know more about the health-promoting effects of heat or learn how to use it better yourself? Learn and experience it for yourself at our Heat Workshop Heat Workshop UNDERgoing ACUTE INTENSE HEAT PRESSURE IS ONE OF THE MOST HEALTH STIMULATING LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS. benefits of short-lived heat stress Regain lactate metabolism Rebuild acidity/heat tolerance Rediscover thirst stimulus Decisiveness increases under difficult conditions Remedy against obesity and other affluence pathologies Increase in peripheral body temperature Medicine against obesity Treat depression Get and stay healthy A body that is reliable 100% independent of conditions AND performs strongly, both physically and mentally Heat is a part of Hormesis Ever heard of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"? The idea is that something that is bad for you in large amounts can actually be good for you in small amounts! In other words, a short, intermittent burst of something your body perceives as stress can actually trigger processes that improve your overall health, slow down ageing and make you more resilient to future stress! This concept is known as hormesis. The simplest example commonly used to explain this concept is exercise. When we exercise, microtears form in our muscle fibres. Your muscles are literally torn, inflamed, painful and damaged! But when

Intermittent Living Interventions

Intermittent Living Interventions "The use of ancestral challenges as a vaccine against the damaging effects of modern life" The Modern Medicine Why apply Intermittent Living interventions in everyday life? We no longer have to move to find food, drinks are plentiful, clothes are available, when we are cold we turn up the chauffage and when it is hot we turn on the air conditioning. In today's society, we no longer have to adapt as we used to. In addition, antibiotics and hygiene have greatly reduced bacterial risk. We all live in luxury, but there is a flip side to the coin. Our natural protective mechanisms are no longer activated. Modern diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, chronic fatigue, rheumatic diseases,... are daily occurrences. The less flexible you are metabolic, immunological, psychological and neurological, the more fragile you are to these risk factors. Fragility leads to chronic stress, which accelerates ageing and increases susceptibility to disease. The less flexible you are at metabolic, immunological, psychological and neurological levels, the more fragile you are to these risk factors. Fragility leads to chronic stress, which accelerates ageing and increases susceptibility to disease. Intermittent Living is a science-based strategy in which we start activating our natural protective mechanisms back through short stress triggers. We make our bodies stronger again by administering short, acute stress stimuli. The concept is based on the knowledge from scientific PsychoNeuroImmunology, PNI. Health equals flexibility Intermittent Living is a natural vaccine against modern risk factors for the development of disease. Our body is capable of resolving a disturbing factor as quickly as possible, returning to its former balance. Intermittent Living Interventions help us regain and maintain that state of flexibility. We make ourselves anti-fragile to the risk factors we can no longer avoid. The Intermittent Living Interventions Intermittent Cold Intermittent Heat Intermittent Drinking Intermittent Fasting Intermittent Hypoxia Intermittent Hypercapnia Intermittent Exercise Intermittent Cold Short-term exposure to cold stimulates the immune system and protects us from infections and oxidative stress. It stimulates the production of brown adipose tissue and converts white fat to beige fat. Beige and brown fat release energy as body heat and increases basal metabolism. The more brown adipose tissue, the better the fat burning and the faster you lose weight. Applying Intermittent Cold in your daily life? Start with cold showers and then move on to ice baths. We ourselves also offer Cold Therapy Workshops combining different intermittent stimuli. Cold Workshop Explore Intermittent Heat Short-term exposure to heat helps against depression, makes you get and stay healthy, is a cure for obesity and increases your decision-making skills in difficult circumstances. Prolonged heat formed an adaptive system based on multiple heat shock proteins (HSP). Heat is therefore much more threatening to humans than cold. When you are cold, you can dress yourself, move, shiver, etc. With heat, however, the situation is different. The only thing the body can do to cool down is to sweat. When you exercise, your body temperature increases. Once you reach a certain threshold, the brain protects itself and further muscle contraction and heat production is not allowed. Hyperthermia directly interferes with brain function and disrupts neurological control of muscles, increasing injury susceptibility. You can train thermoregulatory capacity by "overdressing", for example, or by a thorough sauna visit prior to loading. Want to experience Intermittent Heat? We organise workshops where we teach and let you experience all the effects. Heat Workshop discover Intermittent Drinking The evolutionarily strong thirst regulation centre of the average human is completely disrupted. Our contemporary drinking behaviour causes us to lose our sense of thirst. Most people no longer know when they are really thirsty. Thirst is a brain feeling and in most of us, that regulatory centre is completely disrupted. Society has told us to drink small amounts throughout the day to stay hydrated. Moisture is very important; for hydrating the skin, disposing of waste products and regulating body temperature. BUT just as it is not good for your body to process food all day, the body will also not be happy if you drink something all the time. Human beings never did this in their history, until recently. Actually, our body (and certainly our stomach) does not understand anything about drinking without thirst. So drink only when you are thirsty! Know more about intermittent drinking Intermittent Fasting Periodic fasting cleans up old damaged cells, increases sensitivity to the hormone insulin, inhibits cell growth (and thus ageing) stimulates fat metabolism and calms the immune system. Want to know more about Intermittent Fasting? Intermittent Hypoxia Creating brief exposure to oxygen deprivation. Prolonged or chronic oxygen deprivation cause damage and increased oxidation of tissues such as: The brain The heart The lungs The kidneys A sedentary lifestyle contributes to diseases related to chronic oxygen deprivation. We sit way too much every day. The number of sitting hours per day, is directly linked to arterial stiffness and obesity, both of which increase the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Intermittent hypoxia, or the provision of controlled oxygen deprivation, plays an important role in preventing and curing the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle. O Intermittent hypoxia improves blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. In addition, positive cardiovascular effects occur. Intermittent Hypercapnia The most unknown and unloved acute stimulus. It is the medical term for excessive levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. We induce hypercapnia by breathing in and out into a plastic bag, for example. Chronic hypercapnia causes various disorders such as dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, headache, tremors, shortness of breath and even cardiac arrhythmias. Controlled application of carbon dioxide provides: better regulation of the immune system improved lung functions counteracting brain damage better oxygen uptake anti-panic pro-inflammatory (pro-inflammatory due to acidification) protection against brain damage protection against damage due to a rise in CO2. rise in CO2 levels

What are the benefits of cold showering?

The benefits of cold showering What is cold showering good for and how does it affect our bodies? Cold workout books Is cold showering healthy? Oh yes! Cold showering has numerous health benefits. When we expose our body to cold water, it receives a natural stress stimulus, which activates various systems in our body. This makes us feel more cheerful, energetic, fitter and healthier. Your brain, metabolism and circulation are shaken up, so to speak, and even your entire biorhythm gets a boost. Cold showering stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the immune system, speeds up the recovery process, burns calories, promotes mental strength and improves skin health, among other things. Why don't more people shower cold? Since the 18th century, when the hot water system was invented, we have collectively become addicted to the hot shower. The comfortable hot shower has made us forget about the wonderful benefits cold showers can offer us. Cold showers boost your immune system One of the main benefits is that it gives your immune system a huge boost. A study by the Thrombosis Research Institute in England indicates that when you frequently expose your body to cold water, the amount of white blood cells increases. Thus, your immune system is briefly stimulated and is acutely (very briefly) under increased stress. The production of white blood cells that fight diseases as they enter your body is ramped up. Thus, your immune system becomes stronger. Cold shower schedule: how do you start? You might already start shivering at the idea of cold showers, but even occasional cold showers can have positive effects on your health. To get used to it, you can take hot showers first and then alternate with cold water. Start with a short moment under the cold jet and build up slowly. Cold shower schedule: Shower hot first, then finish with cold water. Start with 30 seconds and build up to 1 to 3 minutes. Building up cold showering can be done by slightly increasing the time daily. For an even more intense experience, you can eventually switch to an ice bath, which goes one step further than taking a cold shower. Book a cold workout Benefits of cold showering Cold showers have numerous benefits for the body and mind. One of the main benefits of cold showersis that it strengthens your immune system. Research shows that regular exposure to cold water leads to an increase in white blood cells, making your body better able to fight off disease. makes your immune system more efficient and stronger at fending off disease Improves your resistance to stress and makes you mentally stronger. stimulates your metabolism to produce heat triggers the hypothalamus, this releases certain hormones that boost your energy and increase your maximum strength promotes the production and quality of mitochondria and brown adipose tissue reduces inflammation in the body and it promotes recovery after physical strain Sarah Matthijs "I started cold showers a few months ago and it has really changed my life. Not only do I feel more energetic and alert after each cold shower, but it has also helped reduce my stress levels. It's like all the worries of the day just wash away with the cold water. I'm so grateful for it!" https://youtu.be/vR6lLnzvVkY You might start shivering at the mere idea, but ending your shower with a cold spray every now and then is already greatly promoting your health. The cold water takes your body physiologically out of its comfort zone because the balance is disturbed and because your body temperature drops drastically in a short period of time. Chances are, therefore, that the first few times you will not be able to think clearly for a while because all your body's energy and attention will go into repairing this 'disturbance'. The more you practise this, the more your body will know how best to deal with this changing environment and the more you will experience the benefits. It's almost magical what it does to your mindset and your breathing. Cold showering helps immensely for your flexibility and imperturbability. The cold workshop We live at an unsustainable pace. "Busy" is the new normal. We struggle to unwind, put our thoughts on "stop" for a while and feel the need for a balanced life. Surrender yourself to the newness, experience and space for growth within yourself. On the other side, the wisdom of expansion, evolution and change awaits. Challenge yourself to stretch yourself physically and mentally through cold training. Exposure to cold forces the body to start up the microscopic repair systems, reducing the risk of disease and making us live years longer. Desires greater balance Prefers experiential learning to pure theoretical models Enjoys connecting with a select group of like-minded people in an inspiring environment Constantly looking for ways to improve your quality of life. Learn more Changes in your body and mindset You are stronger than you think! You have to cross that threshold for a while because your body is obviously no longer used to that cold. But once you have made the click in your mind and you start to experience the changes in your body and in your mindset, you will soon ask yourself why you didn't start the same thing. And all because of a simple cold water spray and a minimal adjustment to your daily routine. Cold showers: 5 tips to get started Want to start cold showers? Then follow these tips for a smooth start: Pay attention to your breathing. Breathe in and out. As deeply, long and deliberately as you can. Control brings calm, breathing provides that control. In this way, you are telling your nervous system that everything is okay and it doesn't have to go into survival mode. Follow the pace that is feasible for you. Do you want to start cold right away but can't manage to get fully under it? Then start