When Going “Fast” May Be Exactly What You Need in the New Year

“What the eyes are for the outer world, fasts are for the inner.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

What’s been your experiene with fasting – from anything?  More than 2 decades ago I started to do a water-only fast for one day each week to enhance my physical, emotional, and spiritual health.  Over time, that pattern has evolved and in addition to weekly fasts I’ve added longer quarterly fasts of 3-5 days, usually done around the time of the solstices and equinoxes.  In fact, this morning I will be completing my now semi-annual PRx90 (90 hour) water-only fast, and the experience, as is consistently the case, has been a powerful and reinforcing one for me.

Though some form of fasting is common in many religious traditions and scientific data indicate that various forms of water-only fasting have the potential to provide many health benefits, when I share with people that I do this, the most common response is one of either amazement (“Wow, I could never do that!”) or caution (“Isn’t that dangerous?”).  I get it.  I used to think the same thing.  Fortunately, fasting has become more mainstream in the past 20 years, with articles and books being more commonplace in both the scientific literature and the popular press.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that going for any extended period without food or any caloric intake is not for everyone and may not be safe for some.  It is therefore encouraging to note that “fasting” from other activities or patterns of living can also have important physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits.  This commonly might include abstinence from social media, the news, television, an unhealthy relationship, alcohol, caffeine, or dessert – or even from complaining.  You imagination and honest self-assessment are the only limiting factors. 

What any form of fasting has the potential to do is provide a break from our usual routine and allow us to be more present and aware.  We “go without” in order to recalibrate ourselves and be reminded once again that much of what we think we “need” is not only unnecessary, but often harmful or at the least, a distraction.  That has certainly been the case for me, and since the impact often “wears off” over time, repeating at regular intervals has served as a necessary and essential “reminder” for me.      

As we enter the New Year, consider what “need” or distraction in your life could use a break or recalibration and whether “fasting” from it might be worth a try.  If you do, pay attention to what shows up in the space you’ve “emptied,” whether that space is in your stomach, your mind, or your schedule.  There may be an important message there for you.  You can thank me later …