There’s something to be said for moments of abstinence and restraint. Part of Lent is appreciating what we have by deliberately not having it for a time. And this may not be the traditional rich food list – in our household we love baking and cooking and it feeds our wellbeing, meaning we don’t tend to give it up in a hurry. But holding back in other respects can be hugely beneficial in building gratitude and appreciation. Not binge-watching that box set, for example, but instead drawing it out, watching it slowly, enjoying the anticipation of the next episode.

Gorging in any sense can leave us feeling mentally or physically bloated, exhausted, strung out and yet hungry for more at the same time, while restraint can be the more balanced and centred pathway, leading to more stable days, less wobbly feelings and moods, an exercise of our gratitude and appreciation muscles, our will power and an expanded ability to savour, to really taste what we are experiencing in life. A fast of any kind, of social media, TV, food, drink, gaming, can be hard and abstinence is definitely challenging.

Deprive us human beings of something and suddenly we want it more than anything, even if we didn’t want it before. But you can build strength in seeing it out, pacing yourself, mindfully watching how you react to your deprivation. You can learn to take your time, even after your fast – let your restraint teach you appreciation, gratitude and slow, gentle patience.