6 Tips For Staying Motivated During Ramadan
Do you want to begin preparing for Ramadan in the best way possible? Fasting every day for a month from dawn to sunset is no easy feat, even if your will is strong. Even those who are used to fasting may experience headaches, nausea, and more in the first few weeks.
However, it’s possible to get through the month with only a mild amount of discomfort. This is all through careful preparation, knowing your limits, and using motivation and inspiration to keep you going.
With this in mind, read on to learn our top six tips to stay motivated and energized during Ramadan fasting!
- Start With Small Meals
If you’re ready to abstain from all food and water from dawn to sunset, you’ll notice quickly that you’ll become ravenous as the evening draws closer. However, it’s important to remember to break your fast with a light snack or breakfast instead of a full meal. Doing your prayers on a full stomach and cause indigestion and discomfort.
Even worse, your stomach may not be able to handle the sudden influx of food after a full day of fasting. Once the prayers are over and you’ve digested your snack, this is a good time to eat a fuller meal.
- Let Your Friends Know
One of the hardest parts about Ramadan is trying to explain it to your non-Muslim friends. However, letting them know that you’re taking part in this special month will help you with your resolve. For instance, if your friends know that you can’t eat or drink anything during the day, they may be careful to plan get-togethers after sunset so that you can eat and drink with everyone else.
Good friends will also try to support you if they’re aware of Ramadan and won’t try to offer you food and drink during the day. It’s important to remember that you’re not going through it alone. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to share your Islamic culture with people who you care about.
You can also read more here about how to prepare both your heart and home for Ramadan.
- Plan Healthy Meals
If you’re struggling with hunger pangs during the day, one of the easiest ways to help you get through the fast is to plan out healthy meals. You’ll find meals that are full of fiber, leafy greens, and lean meat will help you feel fuller longer. Although you may be craving a donut or a bagel, these foods won’t keep you going throughout the day.
Healthy meals for Ramadan don’t have to be hard to make, either. There are also filling vegan entrees such as Mujadara that’s made with lentils, rice, and onions. These nutritious ingredients will keep you full as well as sate your cravings.
- Read the Quran
As the month draws on, you may be wondering how to stay motivated when the initial excitement fades away. You may be wondering if your feelings of hunger, fatigue, and dehydration are worth it. A great way to keep yourself motivated and remind yourself of the importance of Ramadan is by reading the Quran every day.
We recommend creating a ritual out of your daily reading, such as right before you go to bed after your prayers. Create an intention that’s personal to you, such as learning more about your faith, becoming a stronger person, or finding resiliency. Afterward, choose a number of pages to read every day that makes the most sense for you.
Don’t give yourself a limit that’s hard to reach. Make your page count a goal that’s easy to meet, and then extend it if you find that you’re meeting your goal easily after a week or two. You’ll find that this will keep you more focused during Ramadan and help you remember why it’s such an important month.
- Watch Lectures
If you find that it’s hard to concentrate on reading, there’s no shame in finding lectures online to watch or listen to instead. Lectures are great because you can listen to them during your commute to work or while you’re on a lunch break.
YouTube is an easy place to find videos right away, though it may take a little more time to find quality videos. We also recommend taking a look at websites such as Yaqueen Institute and Halal Tube in order to easily find videos on Islam and faith.
- Full Night’s Sleep
Last but not least, it’s important to get a full night’s sleep–especially when you’re fasting. Your body needs time to regenerate and regain its energy. If you find that you’re lacking both food, water, and sleep during the day, your symptoms will be significantly worse.
This is what you may experience without a full night’s sleep:
- Headaches
- Light-headedness
- Inability to concentrate
- Irritability
- Raised levels of stress hormones
- Drowsiness
- Impaired judgment
This means that you’ll be far more likely to break your fast because you’ll be too uncomfortable. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try putting your phone away and turning off the tv at least an hour before you have to go to bed. You can also try melatonin supplements, calming music, and creating healthy sleep rituals.
Staying Motivated Through Ramadan
There’s no shame if you’re having trouble staying motivated through the full month of Ramadan, especially if you haven’t fasted before. Fasting without food or water during the day takes a toll on your body, but there are ways you can prepare yourself in order to make it less uncomfortable.
For instance, try practicing fasting a few weeks before Ramadan in order to get your body accustomed to the feeling. You can also work on creating healthy sleep rituals in order to ensure you’ll be getting a full night’s sleep the entire month. Eat small, healthy meals once you break your fast.
Lastly, tell your friends and loved ones about Ramadan in order to gain more support. You aren’t going through this alone, and the support of your friends can help you through the hard times.
Ready for more tips? Take a look at our blog for more informative articles!
