How Did I Apply These Practices for 365 Days? Fasting: 20 Hours Daily, Every Day for a Year: This included only consuming food within a four-hour window, creating a disciplined routine that balanced energy intake and focus. 3-5 Consecutive Days at the Beginning of Each Month: A longer fast, pushing the body and mind to go deeper into the benefits of metabolic flexibility and mental clarity. Fasting, the deliberate abstinence from food for specific periods, is an ancient practice linked to both physical health and spiritual growth. Whether through intermittent fasting, water fasting, or dry fasting, the benefits range from weight loss to improved mental function and cellular repair. But take caution—ease into longer fasts gradually, and ensure you consume enough calories during eating periods to maintain balance. To learn more, Google: "Fasting how to guide NCBI" Microbiome: All Meals Prepared by Self, Single-Ingredient Foods Only: This approach gave full control over what entered my body, directly influencing my gut health and overall well-being. Your gut microbiome—comprising trillions of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms—plays a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and even mental health. By simplifying your diet to whole, single-ingredient foods, you support a balanced microbiome, optimizing not only physical health but also mental clarity. Remember, everything is energy being transformed—from the food you consume to the thoughts you think. To learn more, Google: "Depression and Gut Microbiome NCBI" Food: Refer back to the section on the microbiome. Food is more than just fuel—it's a complex influence on health, culture, and environment. Understanding how different foods impact your body, hormones, and mood is vital. For example, understanding your body's reaction to caffeine or the addictive nature of certain processed foods can unlock powerful changes in your health and behavior. To learn more, Google: "Dopamine and Food NCBI" Breathing: