Ramadan is the ninth and holiest Islamic lunar calendar, where Muslims across the world stay chaste and have spiritual reflections while fasting for some specific hours of the day.
This year’s edition which started on the 11th of March gives Muslims the opportunity to cleanse their soul, focus on personal growth, and strengthen their relationship with God.
During the thirty days of Ramadan, numerous Muslims observe fasting, abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn until sunset daily. Fasting is obligatory only for adult Muslims, with exceptions granted to individuals who are ill, elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, menstruating, or travelling.
Ramadan provides the reward of self-growth and the opportunity to learn more about the Muslim religion and ourselves. These spiritual rewards require hard work and dedication to praying, a commitment to charity, and willpower when fasting.
Due to several activities embedded in the month, anyone can easily get stressed.
However, maintaining good health during the month is important amid these compulsory activities, hence we put together a list of simple tips you can follow to stay healthy during Ramadan.
Also Read: Ramadan: Niger Republic Struggles With Food Inflation
5 Simple Tips To Boost Your Health And Vitality During Ramadan
FinTech Telex understands the need to stay healthy during the month of Ramadan, then created a list of tips that would help achieve this. Below are five simple tips to boost your health and vitality.
1. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is an unspoken rule during Ramadan. Drinking water is one of the main tips for staying healthy and has other benefits. During the non-fast hours before dawn (Suhoor) and meal to break the fast (Iftar), ensure you drink a lot of water.
Drinking enough water helps prevent dehydration, which can occur due to the long hours of fasting.
Staying adequately hydrated is also beneficial for managing chronic health conditions and plays a role in preventing and treating various issues such as headaches, migraines, kidney stones, and constipation. It also contributes to maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
2. Never Miss Suhoor
Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, is an essential part of the fasting routine. To prepare the body for a long day of fasting ahead, Suhoor should be as balanced and nutritious as possible.
Some of the most preferred foods include oatmeal, pancakes, protein smoothies, smoothies with watermelon, Greek yoghurt (protein), apples (fibre), and bananas.
Some mistake Suhoor to be the heaviest food of the day to stay full for some hours, but that’s quite unhealthy. It’s meant to be nutritious yet light.
3. Go Easy On The Portions
Due to the excitement of breaking the fast (Iftar) or taking the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor), one might be tempted to eat quite heavily. This is unhealthy as it may lead to morning tiredness and weight gain over the month.
Commencing Iftar with dates and water, then proceeding to a light meal, is a customary and health-conscious approach to breaking the fast. This gradual intake of more substantial foods aids in preventing digestive discomfort.
4. Modify Your Exercise
Exercise routines don’t have to stop during Ramadan but they can be modified to fit into the season. It’s also advisable to reduce the intensity of the exercises, opting for more moderate routines instead of high-intensity workouts.
Planning workout routines ahead of time can help ease this transition and ensure there is sufficient energy and higher hydration levels for exercising. By resetting one’s routine, Ramadan can represent a period of health and happiness.
5. Stuck Up On Nutrition
Maintaining a balanced diet is essential during Ramadan. Ensure every meal consumed is composed of foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats, as well as a variety of fruits and vegetables.
These nutrients are vital for providing sustained energy levels throughout the fasting period and keeping you adequately nourished.