Another potential positive benefit of fasting is it deprives the body of the energy/nutrients it needs to physiologically repress unexpressed emotions. Certainly if you have any past major traumas buried deep it may be beneficial to have someone well-fed along for the ride who can guide your thinking, but there's nothing quite like an extended fast to force you to jettison old cargo and take that ride on the emotional rollercoaster you've been avoidng for years.