Resteem to accept challenge!!!
For thousands of years, fasting has been a ritualistic part of human life. Traditionally fasting is associated with religious practice, but before modern science, this was how wisdom on well being was passed on from generation to generation. In recent years, numerous scientific studies have shown the benefits of voluntary food restriction.
The benefits include (source):
- Improves Body Composition and Fitness
- Promotes Greater Satiety
- Boosts Your Metabolism
- Supports Fat Loss and Ketosis
- Encourages Better Insulin Sensitivity
- Improves Cardiovascular Health
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Decreases Blood Sugar
- Improves Blood Triglycerides
- Promotes Heart Health
- May Slow Aging and Enhance Longevity
- Decreases Inflammation
- Increases Resistance to Oxidative Stress
- Improves Cell Recycling
- Increases Growth Regulation
- Protects Your Brain
- Reduces Harmful Protein Production
- Promotes a Healthy Stress Response
- Enhances Recovery From Injury
- Supports Healthier Collagen in Skin
The reason I like to do 24 hour fasts is because I feel like it recalibrates my mind and body. Throughout the holidays I tend to eat a lot of sugar, drink a lot of alcohol, stay indoors, and occasionally smoke cigarets. I realize that these are not good things to do, but at the same time, I like to relax and enjoy the holidays. So after 24 hours of no food I feel a significant reduction in my cravings for these unhealthy indulgences. I also feel more mental clarity and productivity.
In addition to removing food for one day, I also recommend removing the following things for increased mental clarity:
Anything with a screen: When was the last time you went 24 hours without looking at one of your digital devices? When was the last time you went more than 12 hours? In this modern world it is very rare to go an extended amount of time without being distracted by technology. I think that being alone in your thoughts is very important for mental and spiritual growth.
Other people: If you're not looking at a screen, you're most likely hanging out with other people. Spending time with friends and loved ones is important, but you also need to spend time with yourself. Periods of solitude will force you to listen to your inner voice and deal with the issues that remain suppressed when you are constantly distracted. Whenever I spend more than 24 hours without technology or social interaction, all of my resentments against other people and my insecurities start bubbling to the surface. My inner voice is so loud that the only way to deal with these things that come up is to totally let them go.
Some activities I do recommend:
- Drinking lots of water
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Building something with your hands
- Cleaning
- Long walks in nature
- Journaling
So here is the challenge:
- Resteem this post if you intend to do it sometime in the next month
- Spend 24 hours without food, people, or technology
- Write a post on Steemit about your experience using onedayfastchallenge as the first tag