Fasting: The Overlooked Self Care Practice
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yin and Yang symbolize the dynamic balance of two opposing energies that we see everywhere in nature. For instance, Yin predominates in the winter season, while Yang surges in the summer. Yin is strongest at night, while Yang is strongest during the daytime. Yang represents activity, while Yin represents stillness and reflection.
To maintain good health, we need a balance of both Yin and Yang. These opposing energies ebb and flow in daily, monthly and yearly cycles, from our circadian rhythms to our eating and fasting cycles.
However, our Western culture tends to focus on Yang, prioritizing action over stillness. And this bias extends to health, where we often focus on what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat, neglecting the essentiality of NOT eating - fasting.
Guided by our inner senses and recognizing how much is enough - knowing when to stop - is an overlooked but critical part of self care.
Guided by our inner senses and recognizing how much is enough - knowing when to stop - is an overlooked but critical part of self care.
Just as deep sleep at night drives vibrant energy during the day, optimal fasting leads to better digestion of food. In fact, fasting stimulates the body's natural ability to heal the gut, brain and immune system leading to better digestion, nutrient absorption, energy levels and resilience.
Contrary to the belief of our work-centric culture, we often gain more, by doing less.
Studies show that fasting signals to the cell that there’s an increased demand for energy. This triggers changes in several metabolic pathways and promotes cellular “cleanup” (called autophagy), lower inflammation, lower oxidative stress, lower cell proliferation (lower cancer risk) and increases mitochondrial function. These processes then lead to lower insulin, leptin, body fat, blood pressure and increased longevity!
In other words, much like movement, fasting communicates to our cells and our DNA is designed to respond to fasting!
Fasting has been practiced for thousands of years for religious, ethical & health reasons & has been observed across species from humans & animals to cellular organisms.
Recently many of you have expressed curiosity about fasting - and have questions:
Is it good for women?
Should I do intermittent fasting?
Are there other kinds of fasts?
What if I get low blood sugar?
No matter what type of fasting you're doing, it's important to be prepared and informed on safe and effective ways to approach it. Like exercise, it's best to introduce fasting gradually working with your body at every phase to avoid unnecessary discomfort or injury.
Whether you're new to fasting or considering longer fasts to gain more benefits, this is the perfect time to explore these questions, reconnect with your body's natural ability to heal and take your energy to the next level.
If you've been curious about fasting and/or FMD, now is the perfect time to learn more!
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Fasting Benefits
No matter what type of fasting you're doing, it's important to be prepared and informed on safe and effective ways to approach it. Like exercise, it's best to introduce fasting gradually working with your body at every phase.
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