What if I told you that science has proven an easy way to boost your happiness significantly? That it’s accessible to anyone. Would you try it? Would you even believe me? If so, fasting may be precisely what you’re looking for! Read on to learn more about fasting and depression and how fasting can boost happiness and reduce stress while improving mental focus and sharpening your mind. You may never look at your next fast in quite the same way again.
A bit of history
Throughout human evolution, food pauses have been a common practice. People have evolved over time to function without food for long periods. In fact, interval eating (from time to time) is more natural than constantly eating 4-5 or more times a day (including all the many snacks).
Another historical fact: interval nutrition is prevalent in Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian traditional medicine. Ayurvedic treatises recommend that every healthy person once a week completely refuse food to cleanse the body of accumulated waste and toxins. They do this twice a month, called “Ekadashi” in Ayurveda. Fasting and hunger these days are the most favourable and beneficial.
How fasting boosts happiness?
The following are some results of fasting that boost happiness and make you healthier:
Heals and repairs the body
Fasting is not the same as starving. When you fast, you give your body a break from its daily work of digesting food, releasing insulin, and excreting wastes. This rest gives your body a chance to focus on healing and repair, boosting happiness.
Fasting and Depression?
Fasting and happiness are often used interchangeably. There’s a widespread belief that one leads to the other. Fasting has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. Yes, you read that right.
Fasting is just like any other act of self-care. It provides space and time to take care of yourself healthily. As we fast, our body goes into starvation mode, where it burns off fat cells to provide energy. This change in metabolism can lead to an increase in serotonin levels, which helps us feel happier and more relaxed.
Provides space for mental clarity
Different religions have different reasons for fasting, but they all do it to purify the body and cleanse the mind. The idea is that physical hunger teaches us to appreciate our blessings, while emotional hunger can teach us patience and compassion
Rather than forcing yourself to eat at the exact times every day, fasting forces you to acknowledge hunger and signals your body when it needs nourishment. This allows you to avoid mindless eating and eliminate cravings (sometimes even food addiction). It also provides plenty of time for self-reflection and encourages mindfulness – which can be vital in today’s fast-paced society.
Sharpens your mind
When you eat healthily and after long breaks, your cognitive skills will be improved, which means that you will think clearer and be more productive with your time. You will also experience less emotional distress and be more in tune with your physical self. This is because hunger triggers the body to release hormones that make you feel happy.
Helps you to see life differently
Fasting can also give you a fresh perspective on life. For some, fasting helps them see life differently and think more about what’s important in their lives. It can lead to mindfulness and gratitude as they’re forced to reflect on their blessings. It might even make them more thoughtful before making quick decisions that could be detrimental to the quality of their life. Fasting is not always easy, but if done correctly, it can benefit your body and mind.
Remember: You don’t have to be religious to reap these benefits; some people have reported feeling significantly happier after just 24 hours of fasting. And it’s worth noting that there are many other ways to pursue well-being without fasting: exercise, therapy, volunteering time and skills, practising mindfulness and gratitude – all these activities require giving up something (time or energy) to gain something better for yourself.
Fasting and Depression: Seek Medical Advice
Firstly, we advise you to seek medical advice before starting a fasting regime.
Fasting and depression may work for you. If you decide to take it fast, then, in this case, you need to approach this issue seriously. To avoid undesirable consequences – a sharp decline in strength, fatigue, and irritability, you should not starve on strenuous days. This is a time of physical, mental and emotional stress. Naturally, the human body during this period needs the usual supply of energy and strength. If fasting is not for you, then why not change your diet and eat foods proven to boost happiness and fight depression? We have a handy guide, ’11 Foods that Helps with Anxiety and Depression’.
Experts categorically prohibit fasting during pregnancy, arrhythmia, hepatitis, kidney failure, and muscle atrophy. Once again, be sure to consult your doctor before starting fasting.
