Many of us are excited to welcome and experience Ramadan and all its blessings again soon, InshaAllah. Since Ramadan coincides with “finals” season this year, it is inevitable that many of us may overlook prioritising our health amid juggling between revision and acts of worship. Here are five essential ways for you to stay healthy during Ramadan:
1. Don’t skip suhoor
An extra few minutes of sleep in the morning may seem like the world to us (especially for us sleep-deprived students), but try your best to resist the temptation of skipping suhoor! Think of it as your fuel for the day – hydrate yourself and eat foods that are healthy and filling to spur you on and give you energy!
Recommended suhoor foods for optimum energy: eggs, avocados, oats, dates.
2. Stay hydrated!
We all know how bad headaches can get when you’re fasting. While it could be due to a culmination of factors like sleep deprivation, stress, or tension – there’s a good chance that dehydration could be the root cause! Staying hydrated and remembering to drink at least eight glasses of water a day is something I struggle to fulfil on most days too, so it’s normal for many of us to struggle with staying hydrated during Ramadan.
Try your best to fill your body with liquid as much as possible during suhoor and after iftar (you can even set reminders on your phone if this is a struggle for you). While water is still the best beverage for hydration and to alleviate headaches or constipation, you can still treat yourself with your favourite drink after a long day of fasting.
3. Adopt a healthy diet and don’t overeat
It can be hard to resist your cravings when you’re hungry. You suddenly have an entire list of food and drinks you wish you could savour all at the same time. Cravings are normal – but it’s important to hold yourself back from indulging too much during iftar and possibly overeating. This could lead to weight gain and an increased feeling of fatigue the next day. Try to avoid consuming too much fried or sugary foods and instead feed yourself foods that are packed with nutrients for a well-balanced meal!
4. Exercise!
I know, exercise seems like the last thing on your to-do list when you’re thirsty, starving, and tired. I, for one, have never really prioritised exercise during Ramadan because I’d much rather use that time for a nap. But light aerobic workouts and perhaps even brisk walks could really bump up your energy and provide some much-needed stress relief. It’s paramount that you listen to your body though – so if you already feel depleted beyond measure, don’t push yourself to exercise! Alternatively, you can always opt to exercise a few hours after iftar or do some light stretching instead.
5. Dedicate time to acts of worship
Physical health is important, but so is your mental and emotional wellbeing. Amid the business that life demands out of you, remember to make time for acts of worship during this blessed month. Be it reading a few pages of the Qur’an or reciting more zikr, every little thing will InshaAllah help you attain solace and comfort despite the difficulties you are facing. Make it a priority to be more God-conscious and do whatever you can within your capacity to be closer to Allah SWT. Always remember that your spirituality is unique to everyone else’s – so don’t compare yourself with others and focus on your own beautiful journey with Allah SWT!
I hope you found these tips useful in helping you chart out your resolutions for Ramadan. Use them as guidelines instead of hard and fast rules – it’s okay to slip up once in a while or take a break. The most important thing is for you to listen to your body and attend to its needs!