Hello. I’m not particularly new to this group. I’ve been hanging around for awhile. I’m not new to fasting either but just realised that I haven’t done one since before the pandemic, so unsurprisingly I feel a bit daunted. I’m doing it primarily for health benefits and to kick my system back into shape after a rough year last year.
I’m hoping it will help with the anxiety I started experiencing over the pandemic and after my father had an episode in ICU last year. I have also been feeling unhappy with my body and have a reoccurring tooth issue that I’m hoping can be helped a little.
Once I’ve passed the two day mark I often get a sense of peacefulness that I don’t get otherwise. I’m hoping to take that inner slowness / quiet into the world after I’ve finished.
Has anyone else got any positive stories where they’ve taken the healthy mindset from the fast and kickstarted a healthier way of being?
Any experiences with knocking anxiety doom thoughts on the head with water fasting?
I think in general it’s made me a calmer and more contemplative person, definitely. I think initially I was drawn to longer fasts for many of the same reasons you are now. I’ll say it can be challenging to get past your previous “record” initially, but this is mostly psychological. I’ve found that by the third day I’ll want to take a multivitamin or supplement with potassium, magnesium, and sodium somehow. Personally I find black coffee or plain tea very helpful with this as well, and there’s no shame in having soda water with some fresh lime or lemon in it either. 🤙🏼
Unsolicited advice? Jumping into the deep end is hard after a long hiatus. Just take it easy and listen to your body. It’ll come back to you. And if you break early, don’t kick yourself. Listening to your body is wise - forcing yourself through situations without proper prior planning is risky at best and dangerous at worst. Just take it a day at a time. Then when the dust settles, pick yourself up and have another go! You got this!