Whilst Ramadhan is a month filled with spiritual blessings and significance, it does not decrease the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Fasting in and of itself is highly beneficial for the body as it helps in removing toxins, fights inflammation, increases productivity, and improves cholesterol levels. However, it remains crucial to focus on your body when there is a rapid change in your eating habits.
Here are five ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay strong this Ramadhan.
Go For Walks
Abstaining from food or drink can impact your energy levels. But that doesn’t mean a walk is out of the question. Many fitness instructors recommend that if there’s one thing we should do in Ramadan to maintain our health, it is to go for a quick walk. Doing this helps pump blood around our body and keeps our organs awake and functional. This helps in keeping our minds uplifted and our bodies energetic. Walk either before the suhoor or after the Iftar for the best results. Walk to the mosque if you can. If the mosque is very close, take a longer route. Whatever the case, find a way to fit at least a 30-minute walk into your day.
Hydrate When You Can
With approximately eight hours between Futoor and Suhoor, getting the right amount of water into our systems is crucial. To prevent water depletion and tiredness, it’s important to drink as much water as possible from the moment you break your fast. Whilst there is no set limit, it’s recommended that one takes a few sips every thirty minutes. This will ensure that you are well hydrated for the day ahead. If you feel apprehensive about drinking too much water, try including water-rich foods in your diet such as watermelons, pineapples, and oranges.
Stretch That Body
Our bodies tend to tighten up when there’s a lack of movement and this is usually the case in Ramadhan. Stretching can do wonders and has also been found to benefit one’s mental health. With the many Youtube videos on stretching, you can stretch whilst standing, lying down or even whilst sitting in your office chair. In any case, stretching can help alleviate muscle tension and can give you the energy that you require to charge through the day.
Eat a Wholesome Breakfast (Suhoor)
As your body will not be getting any nutrients throughout the day, eating a nutritious and wholesome breakfast becomes even more important. Try to eat a breakfast that consists of complex carbohydrates, as this will release energy slowly and prevent you from becoming hungry earlier on in the day. Bananas, oats, lentils and vegetables are great options as these will provide you with the energy you need throughout the day.
Rest and Recover
Sleep deprivation is real and affects many of us in Ramadan. Finding a way to rest and recover in Ramadhan is as important as eating healthy. Therefore, one of the best ways to catch up with sleep is by finding time for naps. We usually have a few moments throughout the day or night when we can close our eyes and wake up re-energised. Be sure to eat well at Suhoor or Futoor as studies have shown that what you consume can highly affect the quality of your sleep. It’s probably a good idea to avoid caffeinated drinks as these can disrupt your sleeping routine.
The adventurous spirit behind the pages of British Muslim magazine. As the Editor-in-Chief, Natasha leads with a passion for exploration and a pen dipped in wanderlust. With a keen eye for halal travel experiences and an insatiable curiosity for new experiences, she brings readers along on captivating journeys to far-flung destinations. Through her vibrant storytelling, Natasha invites readers on enriching adventures, where every experience is a window into the muslim world.
