You’ve heard all the terms used over the years. Vacation, unplugging, digital detox, etc., are all headed in the right direction to help us reset our mind, body, and spirit. Placing ourselves in a situation where we only have a few, critical priorities is what I call a mental fast. Typically when we physically fast, we are not eating for a long time. This can be anywhere from the standard 12, 16, 20, and 24-hour fasts, all the way to multiple days. Some will think you are crazy, but the information and science are out there to showcase the results and how beneficial fasting can be on your body. Eliminating toxins, and inflammation, and giving your body a reset are just a few major advantages; but can we receive similar benefits mentally or spiritually if we fast from some of the largest stressors in our lives? The answer is yes.

STEPS FOR A MENTAL FAST 

#1 - Reflect.

Find what stresses you out the most. It is important to recognize what spins us up into a frenzy. Recently for me, it was the feeling of running from place to place on a specific schedule that is overwhelming and fatiguing my system. This stressor was clouding my receptors and holding me back from seeing, much less making the best choices in multiple situations.  

#2 - Eliminate. 

Plan a short but specific time to exit your scenario or situation and clear your mental “cache,” essentially deleting your worries. For me, having no meetings, lessons, or classes, gave my mind and body the reboot they needed; which ricocheted and boosted my spirit.

#3 - No Timelines. 

Start with two dates; your departure date and your return date. What happens in the middle of these is the most important, and it’s better to be fluid with your timelines so that you aren’t concerned with arriving or being anywhere at a specific time. We set up our base camp at Balmorhea State Park near six hours away from home. We knew our arrival and check-out dates. The rest was literally just chill.

#4 - Hit The Road. 

There is nothing like the open road to allow you to gather your thoughts. If you are with others, share these thoughts, feelings, and dreams with them. Discuss your goals, past or present, and then look to the future and how you will create a new direction. Best of all, you aren’t depending on other forms of transportation that require you to be at a certain place or certain time. One of our favorite things to do during our time away is to plan our next adventure. When you are home you have far too many responsibilities and can’t think as creatively or clearly about your options. Plan your next time away while you are enjoying your current mental detox. It will add fuel to your fire and help you push even harder once you are back at home.  

#5 - Prioritize.

Place yourself into Mother Nature and let her do what she does best. When you open yourself up to primal living or even surviving, you restructure your priorities. When working with nature your preferences change dramatically. You stop worrying about outside influences and focus on shelter, water, food, and staying cool, warm, and/or dry depending on what the weather and climate are like in the area. For us, we hit the low 30’s multiple nights. The temperature wasn’t as bad with the gear we brought, but the wind made it a challenge. We improvised and hung up tarps as wind blockers to help us huddle up before bed and stay warm. 

#6 - Explore. 

Plan time to move around and look for detours to get lost on. We saw some amazing things when we were driving through the town of Fort Davis with a few hours to kill before the Star Party at the McDonald Observatory. We went down some back roads towards the mountains to check out how people live in the area.  Then, to our surprise, we rolled up on what looked to be a whole tribe of rams on the cliffs, tons of deer right next to us, and a baby javelina just strolling through people’s yards.

#7- Freedom.

Less contact with your digital self will dust your bookshelves of stressors and responsibilities. It will also reset your dopamine and nervous system, allowing you to feel less inclined to look at your phone. We noticed other than using our phones to message friends and family happy Thanksgiving, and taking photos along our journey; our phones lasted two days at minimum while being unplugged and less connected to the world.  

Benefits of Awareness

As you exit this mental fast, it is important to look for new ways to challenge yourself. New goals and directions should seem clearer and your level of excitement towards them should be calcified. Use the rearview mirror to reflect on your previous adventure and then look to the horizon as you return with encouragement towards what you will conquer next. Then set things into motion, pushing harder than ever with your next adventure and detox in sight. 

#ComingForYou2024
#YearOfTheDragon
#FightTheGoodFight

——

Check out other instructional videos on our YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/martialwaylegacy. 

If you aren’t already and would like to stay in touch, then Subscribe Today to receive news, updates, events, training ideas, and motivation to help you crush your goals!!! 

Guro Larry, Sonja, Lauren & Tori St. Clair
Martial Way Legacy
"A Compass to the Preservation of Bruce Lee’s Philosophy and Legacy"
http://www.martialwaylegacy.com
512-821-3637