How to observe Lent and boost your health

Whether we drink too much or eat too much sugar or meat, most of us overindulge in some way. The fasting season of Lent is the ideal time to rethink your eating habits and exercise some restraint.
18.02.2026 | 2 minutes reading time
Author:
Content-Team SWICA

In the Christian tradition, the period of fasting traditionally begins on Ash Wednesday. But fasting is much more than a religious ritual and tradition. These days many people fast for the good of their health. Sweets, cigarettes and alcohol top the list of things to give up. Doing without is a way of allowing your body to regenerate and being more aware of when you're hungry or full. We've come up with a few tips on how to achieve your own fasting targets.

Giving up alcohol

If you drink regularly, a period of abstinence can do you a lot of good, with benefits ranging from potential loss of weight and fewer hunger pangs to better sleep and a stronger immune system. You'll find it easier to abstain if you don't keep alcoholic drinks at home; or if you do, keep them out of easy reach. If you don't want to give up drinking at parties, there is a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks you can fall back on, and if you're out on the town you can order a delicious mocktail (a cocktail without the alcohol). And last but not least, don't drink and drive. Volunteer to drive, then you won't even be tempted.

Giving up sweets

The fasting period is an ideal opportunity to give up chocolate and biscuits and reduce your consumption of sugar in the long term. The same applies as to alcohol: if you don't have sweets at home, you won't be led into temptation. To avoid having to rush to the nearest kiosk the first time a snack attack strikes, it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet and get enough sleep. A lack of nutrients and sleep can result in hunger pangs, which you want to avoid during this period. One of the reasons people resort to chocolate is boredom. So next time you're tempted, ask yourself why you're yearning for sugar, and in cases of doubt forget the sweets and do something else!

Lifestyle (change) programme for SWICA customers

With the lifestyle (change) programme, santé24 has created a range of comprehensive services for SWICA customers who want to make their daily lives healthier and invest in their quality of life. The coaching is aimed at those who have a predisposition to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or lipid metabolism disorders, or who have already been diagnosed with one of these conditions. People who are overweight or obese can also register for the programme because they have a higher risk of these diseases. More information about the programme.

Giving up meat

The average person in Switzerland consumes 780 grams of meat and sausage products a week, versus only 240 grams recommended by the Federal Office of Public Health. So it's high time to reconsider your meat-eating habits. A vegetarian phase is a great opportunity to get to know and enjoy the many and varied meatless options. Italian, Indian and Asian cuisine have a wide range of traditional vegetarian dishes and are by no means boring. These days there are also many meat-free substitutes for everything from sausage to mince that make it easier to do without.

Fasting cures

If you want to completely stop eating during Lent you shouldn't do so for more than a week, and you should spend a few days beforehand preparing. You'll find the basic rules of thumb for fasting here.

Giving up smoking

Planning to use the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter to give up smoking? You'll find tips on becoming a non-smoker here. SWICA will also support your efforts financially, with the Praevita and Optima.

For your health: santé24 and SWICA Benecura

Do you have a health question? Our physicians and healthcare professionals at santé24 are available 24/7 on +41 44 404 86 86 for SWICA customers. In addition to telephone health advice, patients whose conditions are appropriate for telemedicine can receive medical services such as diagnostics, treatment, and even e-prescriptions for prescription medications.

Do you feel ill? The SWICA Benecura medical app makes it easy to carry out a digital SymptomCheck. You will receive a personal recommendation about what to do next. Send your information in encrypted form to the santé24 online practice for your telephone consultation to significantly shorten the assessment.

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