Cleaning the Mess

Cleaning the mess

First posted 05:44am (Mla time) June 25, 2005
By Katrina Holigores
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page C2 of the June 25, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


IT'S NOT often that people can spark a revolution. There are many non-conformists but they do not necessarily inspire a people into action. Some try to make a statement through scandal or intrigue, because it's easier. There is "shock therapy" conveyed via jolting (often gory) images, inappropriate words or phrases in order to create an impact. These are heavily ingrained in media, as most viewers and readers have shorter and shorter attention spans, so the theme of the subject must give as much information as possible in the quickest possible time.

This weekend let's shift our attention away from the outside world and focus on an internal revolution that could take place within minutes. When was the last time you were moved to do something that was for change? Not necessarily for the rest of mankind but for yourself? What I am going to explain is certainly not an original thought and it has been practiced by many civilizations before me. It has the power to rid one of excess...and we have all heard that too much of a good thing... is, well, not really good at all.

It's called fasting, and no, fasting is not necessarily starving. I remember a rather cruel (but funny joke) a colleague once shared with me in the past. "How do you scare a group of models?" "Offer them dessert:" (ha ha) Ok, my apologies for the generalization. I guess I'm proud (and a bit ashamed) of my tremendous appetite, and for that, someone like me has to resort to fasting every once in a while. Why fasting? Some may call it a purge, or a cleanse. Call it what you will but one to two days of no taking in of solids or impure liquids (alcoholic or softdrink beverages) will give your digestive system a rest.

Look under the hood

There are days that you feel sluggish, in a bad mood, unmotivated and uninspired. You call to your inner muses to help you out and they don't seem to be listening. Of course there may be other factors and there may be too many to list down here, but always bear in mind that whatever you put INSIDE your body sooner or later is going to affect what goes on outside. If you love your car you would never put the wrong kind of petrol in it, you take it for tune-ups, oil changes, get its tires checked... what about your body? When was the last time you looked under your hood? (I can bet it's in a bit of a mess.)

It's not going to affect your muscle mass or weight maintenance if you decide to stop exercising for two days. If you fast properly you can continue to be active during the fast; but again, not excessively. Cut your gym or cardio workout to half of what you normally do, that way the body is still moving and burning what it needs but is not getting too tired. And remember, the body was made to move, but at the same time, it needs to recharge. When the body is at rest, the mind is allowed rest too. There is less stress involved since (in my opinion) the hardest working system that we 24/7 food loving Filipinos possess is the digestive one.

We often want to take breaks from work, from people and that's why we do something to just "get" away. So now and then, if you want an internal overhaul then the best way to do it is to give your stomach a rest. This is not easy to do, and you have to possess the proper mindset to see it through. Looking at the bigger picture, for one day of no junk food, no animal products, and no sweets, you may get a clearer mind, deeper sleep and rejuvenation. Your body doesn't have to work as hard during a fast, and your mind is at ease because instead of thinking of where the next meal is coming from (aside from the millions of other things it has to think of) it has one less task to be responsible for.

No limit

All you need is a steady supply of mineral water (not distilled, mineral, so read your labels) and a bunch of American lemons (look, there are no substitutes here so calamansi is not going to cut it). Take your room temperature glass of water with a squeeze of lemon. There is no limit, take as much as you can from the minute you wake up to the minute you sleep, and remember, don't gulp, sip or drink in a relaxed state. Be aware of what you're doing and you will feel more relaxed and less anxious.

Fasting gives one more time for contemplation. Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims often fast because they say a clean body gives one a clean mind and a heightened sense and stronger connection to the divine. Need inspiration? Experience the absolute high of a body that has rid itself of some internal garbage.

If we don't start with our bodies, then the very vehicle that houses our creative minds, our passionate hearts and our enlightened spirits will not take us to where we want to go next. Time to clean up.