Ramadan is usually considered as the month fasting and feasting among the Muslims around the globe. It is the month of celebration and anticipation of the awaited religious festival, Eid-ul-Fitr for the believers of Islam. However, at the recent captive state of the growing Covid 19 pandemic, anxiety, fatigue and indolence are bound to kick in. Hence, to rejuvenate the true essence of Ramadan and to perform thawab (good deeds rewarded by Allah), it’s time we change the customary dietary routine, nurture our minds, and adjust our lifestyles into a healthy and sanguine mode.
Dose of Dopamine
To ensure the daily dose of ‘feel good’ organic chemical, Dopamine, physical exertion and exercise are quintessential parts of one’s daily routine. Instead of walks in the park and sessions at the gym, adapt and ease through freehand exercises and yoga at the comfort of our home. Working out in the morning — especially on an empty stomach — is the best way to burn stored fat, making it ideal for weight loss largely because the body’s hormonal composition in the morning is set up to support that goal. Use your rooftop or balconies to work out, and soak Vitamin D from the morning sun as you start off your day with a positive note.
Eat as One Should
In the context of Islam, As-Siyam or fasting means to abstain from extravagance and indulge in minimal lifestyle. Keeping the true essence of fasting alive, divert from the norm of eating rich oily food, switch to lighter and healthier food this Ramadan to fuel our body with the essentials of a balanced diet.
Fasting overhauls the body during the holy month. When you can eat and drink, consuming plenty of high fibre foods, such as whole grains, high fibre cereals, bran, fruits and vegetables, beans, lentils, dried fruit and nuts alongside plenty of fluids which will regulate the digestive system to stay hale and hearty. Stay hydrated to withstand the heat of the summer and grab a portion of citrus fruit to ensure the intake of Vitamin C to improve your immune system even while fasting.
Detox and Drain
During Ramadan, the rich food, bad cholesterol and toxins that are absorbed into our system need to be drained out from our body as soon as possible. Drinking a lot of fluid with detoxifying agents such as mint, lemon, honey, Dandelion root tea or cucumber along with proper sleep and meditation can detoxify your body and maximize the efficiency of all the organs in action. Cleansing the impurities and feeding the healthy nutrients to your body can better equip your systems to fight diseases and minimize the harm done.
Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises
Ramadan in the state of quarantine can be overwhelming for the people sitting about and panicking about the world they surround. Take time to focus on the present, being intentional and thoughtful about where you are and how you are feeling. As these feelings are clouded by negativities around you, disconnect from those feelings, and one of the best methods to let go of worry is through breathwork.
Several studies have shown that breathwork, particularly deep breathing, significantly reduces the stress response in the body. One of the ways it does this is by stimulating the vagus nerve — the longest cranial nerve in the body, which helps regulate many important functions, including heart rate, blood pressure and digestion. Once stimulated, this nerve helps soothe the alarm and regulates your body back to a state of relaxation.
Praying at Home
Invest your time in praying at home and seeking comfort and spiritual guidance by reading and reciting the Qur’an to mould and reshape yourselves as Muslims this Ramadan. Praying five times a day is in fact the prerequisite to fasting in the context of Islam. This Ramadan, the Muslims will truly cherish the benefits of performing wudu in keeping themselves neat and tidy and in dealing with the stress and confinement through prayers.
Chip into Charity
Charity towards the needy during Ramadan is highly encouraged in the light of Islam. In the upcoming days, with daily necessities skyrocketing, the charity would benefit people of marginal income greatly at this brink of inflation. While distancing socially, stay connected with your community and display compassion and empathy through meaningful contributions to receive a sense of self-belonging and satisfaction.
Have a Vision
Many young Muslims are clueless about how to observe Ramadan receive unlimited bounties. It is therefore important to have a vision, not only for the month of Ramadan but after that as well. Goals should be set and a routine that will help you achieve those desired goals. Be it feeding 10 people, volunteering for charity work or reading the Holy Quran, list it on paper and start doing it. Give yourself a deadline or a time restrain to help achieve those goals without getting strayed amid all this chaos.