Why Fasting Is the Biggest Boost You Can Add to Your Life
So, you finally want to do something radically good for your body? Perfect. Grab a coffee and read on.
Hi friends,
Hope you had a good time since my last newsletter.
Today I'm gonna share a magic treatment for you.
But first this:
I'm neither your doctor nor your health advisor. So, please do your own research!
I can only tell you what works for me. Thank you!
So, here we go!
Fasting as a therapy is as old as mankind as a whole. The first people fasted out of necessity. Not with choice.
It was more a question of whether the men were successful on the hunt or not. When the wild boar was hard to find, there was often an empty table (were there already tables??).
The important question for us today isn't how long we've been fasting. But whether if it helps, how it helps, and why.
Fasting as part of your wellness practice
Everyone is talking about detox, ridding the body of toxins, and regenerating. The magazines are full. Every wellness guru, no matter how unknown, is giving their opinion on the subject.
If you read my articles, you'll know I like the natural view.
Nature has also inspired me when it comes to fasting.
If you own a cat, you may be familiar with this.
The male cat comes home, completely disheveled, beaten up, and dead tired (happens especially in the season when they are constantly ... well, you know what I mean).
Anyway, he's injured. Probably also aching limbs, pulled muscles or even bite wounds.
And what does the cat do?
Exactly!
He hides and fasts. That's right. He eats nothing.
Depending on the severity of the injury, he does so for days.
This is “Benny”, the tomcat I’m talking about. Picture made by the author.
What happens in my body?
Wonderful things happen in our bodies while fasting. The full and true meaning of which we still don't know exactly.
In simple terms, the following happens. From the start of fasting, the body switches to minimum supply.
Survival mode, so to speak. The cells begin to regenerate.
Kidneys, liver, and skin remove toxins from the body.
In a state of autophagy, cell renewal accelerates.
The body starts to heal itself.
This effect is all the more impressive when we realize how many cells we are talking about in the human organism.
There are many.
To be more precise, around 100 trillion cells!
Quite a lot to repair here.
Anyone who has ever fasted for longer than 48 hours can confirm the effect.
You can literally feel how the body heals itself.
Without digressing into the esoteric, the effects are fascinating.
Clarity in life starts in the head
More and more people are complaining about brain fog.
This unpleasant feeling of being always in a fog leads to bad sleep. It also leads to lasting fatigue. It's also often the start of serious depression.
Not to mention the growing inability to make decisions or feel relaxed.
Fasting can be a helpful tool for getting back on track.
Most gurus agree on this.
It's difficult to explain to someone who has never fasted how it makes them feel.
Most people automatically think of hunger pangs and stomach cramps when they think of fasting. They also believe "I'd think about food all day long".
Which nips any concentration in the bud.
Interestingly, the exact opposite is the case.
Fasting practices in religions.
It's hardly a coincidence that most religions fast at certain times.
The benefits of clear thinking must have impressed our ancestors.
It ranges from short and restricted fasting in Christian religions to hardcore monks in Buddhism. Fasting is more than just a ritual.
Whether abstaining from certain foods or eating at certain times of the day can be considered fasting is up to you.
My cats don't just eat birds when fasting. They don't just do it from 7 pm to 11 pm...
For me and by definition, fasting means not eating!
Period. Simple. And clear.
That’s me! Photo credits and copyrights by author
How I do it.
Preparation is half the battle.
A bit prosaic but true. Those who prepare properly and well have much less difficulty coping with the first few hours of fasting.
Besides defining the duration of the fast, the location of the fast is also important for many.
I am now used to fasting. I fast at home without any problems.
Without neglecting my daily duties and tasks.
The first time I had fasted was six months after my heart attack.
That was in 2018.
It was a tough four days. Poorly prepared. Unsure whether it was okay.
And full of ignorance about what exactly happens in the body.
But I've got through it.
And not only without any damage - but amazingly regenerated.
That was the point where I intensively read everything I could find about fasting.
Well, I now practice fasting at least once a year.
Several days! (The record is 21 days!)
I only consume water, tea, and the occasional coffee (yeah, I'm an addict, I know!).
Each time it got easier.
Each time it passed faster.
Each time my head became clearer.
Each time I felt better afterward.
Now it's your turn
Discussing fasting practices also has a cynical component.
In the Western world, we ask ourselves whether fasting helps us.
In many other parts of the world, fasting is not a choice - it's just sad everyday life.
So, if you are in a privileged position and wonder about fasting's meaning, I recommend the following first steps:
Read books and articles about therapeutic fasting.
Find people and talk about their experiences.
Get used to the idea of short periods of fasting for less than three days.
A word at the end.
Therapeutic fasting has nothing to do with losing weight!
Of course, you will lose weight. If only because the body is in panic mode (without food).
As soon as your metabolism returns to normal, your body will start to build up reserves for emergencies.
And you have just proved to your body that these times of need are coming!
Happy fasting; best of health and good luck.
Thanks for reading. If you like my experiences or even find them helpful, please give the article a like, so others will find it too.
And if I can help you with your fasting journey, please send a message
Yours,
Daniel
Had Covid in 2021; did not take shot. Main symptoms were fatigue and coughing. Months later I was still experiencing fatigue. My sister sent info from a doctor naming pills to take. Then I saw he mentioned fasting. I went three days on water and a tablespoon of yogurt in am. Fatigue was gone. I’m no stranger to fasting, even on water alone.