It's all over on Ash Wednesday - of course that applies to the carnival. But traditionally this is the beginning of Lent, when you should do without again. It used to be more about meat, but now also about driving or screen time, for example.
After the hot carnival phase, the traditional Lent is just around the corner. According to custom, some people stay away from alcohol or sweets from Ash Wednesday to Easter, while others do without their smartphones or cars, at least temporarily. Many also opt for a classic fasting cure. Fasting Questions and Answers.
What is Lent?
The tradition of fasting occurs in most major world religions. The traditional Lent in Christianity lasts from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday before Easter, so this year until April 8th. It is sometimes also called Passiontide and is intended to commemorate the passion of Jesus up to his crucifixion, which is commemorated on Good Friday.
During this time, Christians fast for 40 days to reflect on their faith. However, Sundays are not counted, so Lent lasts 46 days. Traditionally, fasting means not eating certain foods or reducing food intake. Similar traditions exist in Judaism before Yom Kippur and in Islam during Ramadan.
What other options are there besides not eating?
Today, for many, Lent is more of a time of general contemplation and reflection. The range available to interested parties is large. In the evangelical church there is the campaign "Seven weeks without". This year's motto is "Shining! Seven weeks without despondency" and wants to encourage people to encourage themselves and others.
On the other hand, the "Climate Fasting" campaign of the churches wants to give suggestions for climate justice and environmental protection, which this year wants to raise awareness for a different topic in each fasting week. The motto of the first week is "Valuing energy", in the last week the topic is "Happiness".
Media experts also recommend a "digital break", i.e. deliberately avoiding television, computers and smartphones. In view of the increasing media consumption and its consequences, this resonates with many people, even if they are not religious. In order to encourage children and young people to media fast, families should decide together which devices should have a break on which days and at what times.
How common is fasting?
According to a recent survey by the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit, 61 percent or a little less than two-thirds of people have deliberately avoided a certain luxury food or consumer product for several weeks. Alcohol was at the top of the list of abstinence, followed by sweets and meat. For many, it is primarily about health aspects.
According to the representative survey, the desire to smoke less and consume less media also played a major role for the people. At the same time, the DAK found regional differences: The proportion of those willing to fast was particularly high in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
What does classic fasting bring?
In classic fasting, which does not necessarily have to have a religious background, food is completely or partially abstained for a certain period of time. Proponents promise well-being, "cleansing of body and mind" - but also weight reduction and relaxation.
If the body receives little or no food energy, it switches to the so-called starvation metabolism: The metabolism then burns on the back burner. The organism attacks its energy reserves, especially the body's own carbohydrate reserves in the liver and muscles, body protein and body fat. A classic fasting cure usually lasts seven to ten days.
What should be considered - and does it help with weight loss?
Basically, drink a lot. Exercise is also important during a fasting cure to prevent muscle breakdown. Anyone who wants to strictly fast, in particular, should first speak to a doctor. This is especially true for pre-existing conditions. Fasting is generally discouraged for children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women.
However, if you want to lose weight, fasting only helps to a limited extent. If you want to lose weight permanently, you have to change your diet and get enough exercise. However, a fasting period can be a starting point.
