Introduction to Short-Term Fasting

This article is an introduction to short-term fasting, including a description of how to properly conduct its practice and an assessment of its relative health benefits. The most common type of short-term fasting is the 24-hour fast. It is recommended that you initiate this type of fast immediately after breakfast and continue uninterrupted until breakfast of the following day. This is preferred to fasting from supper until supper of the following day, as eating heavily right before sleep interferes with the natural biorhythms associated with the body's digestive processes.

A somewhat longer type of short-term fasting is the 36-hour fast. This fast should be initiated after supper, continue uninterrupted for the duration of the following day, and then finish at breakfast of the second day. In addition, there is the 42-hour fast which is initiated in the same manner as the 36-hour fast, but continues until lunch, rather than breakfast, of the second day.

In general, fasting implies that there is no intake of food or beverages, with the exception of water, which may be drank as often as your body requires. There is also a category of fasting known as "dry fasting" where water is disallowed as well. However, such fasting should only be undertaken in particular situations by individuals who possess an extensive understanding of the fasting process and under the supervision of a qualified physician.

During fasting, it is not uncommon to experience impatience and anxiety alongside intermittent feelings of extreme hunger. In order to counteract these feelings, it is important to maintain a positive internal setting. When you feel yourself overcome with feelings of hunger and associated negative emotions, make a concerted effort to think positively. This will help you to develop internal discipline and effectively train your will power.

In the course of the fast, try to focus on the fact that you are only fasting for a single day and, in doing so, you are cleansing your body and activating your natural immunity. The thought of reversing the body's aging and decomposition process should reinforce your commitment to the fast. Eliminate feelings of self-pity and other destructive emotions, as allowing them to ferment will only wear you down.

Throughout the fasting process, repeat to yourself the following words: "Each minute that I fast, I eliminate poisons from my physical body. Each hour that I fast, I cleanse my mind. Hour by hour, I am strengthening myself. During the fast, I am in full control of my emotions. Feelings of hunger, self-pity, or discomfort are powerless to stop me. I will successfully complete the fast, as I believe in the life energy which flows from my natural body processes."

By repeating these words, you are effectively controlling your body. Remain committed to your goals and focused on the benefits of cleansing associated with the fast. Allow yourself to enjoy this natural and wonderfully healing process. In the midst of the fast, when it becomes difficult to continue and you feel alone and depressed, repeat these words: "I am feeling poorly because my body is struggling as it cleanses and revitalizes every organ and each cell."

Upon completing the fast, your first meal should be a salad of fresh vegetables mixed with lemon juice. After the salad, you should eat a dish of broiled or cooked vegetables. Do your best to avoid eating bread at this time.

For several meals after the fast, try to avoid eating meat, fish, dairy products, and nuts or seeds. Optimally, the period of the exit from the fast should last as long as the fast itself. So if the fast lasted for 24 hours, the exit should also last 24 hours. Over that time period, you should monitor your diet and, to the extent possible, avoid eating the products described above.

If you fast several times a month, you will begin to feel a marked improvement in your health and energy level. The key is to avoid cutting corners and perform the fast, as well as the exit, with full commitment and will power.