A water fasting retreat might sound like a vacation, but it is actually an intense detoxification and cleansing regimen. It’s not for everyone! But if you’re interested in the benefits of water fasting, then this post is for you. In it, we’ll discuss what to expect before and after your fast, as well as some tips to help make the process more manageable.
What will happen during your fast?
During your first few days of a water-only fast (also called abstinence), most people experience fatigue or weakness due to their bodies going into conservation mode because they are no longer getting any food energy from eating anything. You may also have headaches caused by withdrawal symptoms that occur when caffeine leaves the bloodstream quickly after giving up coffee.
After a few days, your body enters the cleansing stage and will start to release toxins. This can cause headaches, constipation, bad breath, or smelly sweat (which is actually really good news because that means you’re detoxing!), low energy levels for up to two weeks after the fast ends.
Experts say this may be one of those times when it’s okay to cheat on your diet in order to keep going strong with fasting. However, they recommend not doing anything more than having some tea as an occasional treat if you are experiencing these symptoms.
I’m feeling hungry! What should I do?
There are many ways people have found relief from hunger during their water-only fasts, including chewing gum or eating certain types of food. It’s important to remember not to break your fast if you’re feeling hungry; just try something like eating a cucumber or drinking some water with lemon in it as well as chewing gum.
What should you do after your fast?
Water fasting is intense detoxification, so there are certain things that need to be done afterward:
– Take time for yourself and don’t plan anything too taxing for the next few days – rest and relaxation will help your body recover from all of its hard work!
– Drink plenty of fluids (at least 64 ounces) throughout the day when you feel up to it because dehydration can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness, which could make driving unsafe; this also helps rehydrate your body and helps speed up the re-integration process.
Get plenty of exercises – walking, stretching, or yoga is great for this; it will help loosen your muscles that have been tight from conserving energy during the fast.
After a water fasting retreat? It’s important to take time off afterward in order to rest! Your body has just gone through intense detoxification so give yourself at least 12 hours before returning back to normal activities like working out or going on long car rides. You might also want to avoid alcohol because its dehydrating properties could cause problems with rehydration after you’re done fasting. Be sure not to push too hard, though, if you feel sluggish– it is very tempting but remember that pushing too hard could lead to feeling worse!
A typical day in life is much less busy than usual because they are only drinking water during their fast, so time doesn’t have as great a value. The benefits from doing this type of detoxification include more energy, weight loss (if needed), clearer skin, better sleep patterns, improved digestion system function… just name it!
We hope this post has been helpful for you and that we’ve answered many of your questions about what it’s like to be on a water fasting retreat. If not, feel free to get in touch with Andrea Cox.
