Page 28 - Ramadan 2022

28 LG RAMADAN 2022

10 ways to prepare your body for fasting

2. Early breakfast: During Rama-
dan, we wake up early for Suhoor, the
pre-dawn meal before the fast begins.
It is important not to skip this. Start
having an early breakfast from now
to help your body get used to the
earlier hours, especially if you are not
much of a breakfast eater.
Getting your body use to the earlier
start as well as gradually increasing
the amount of food you eat during
breakfast will help reduces and unset-
tling feeling you may have at the start
of Ramadan.

3. Do not snack: Get used to having
three main meals - breakfast, lunch
and dinner - and avoiding snacking in expected plans which would require
between. During Ramadan, you will a quick and easy meal to be made.
have to get used to having two main By having a meal or two in the freeze
meals, Suhoor and Iftar. This way, you this will reduces the chance of you
will only have to cut out one meal. reaching for an unhealthy option.
Trick your mind into only missing
on meal and not all the snacks and 9.Stay fit: Make sure that if you’re
drinks you may be having during the looking to use the month of Rama-
day, not only it will it reduces the dan as time to self reflect and create
amount of time spent thinking about new habits, do not place your body
fasting but also help you proactively under stress. By starting to take on
go about your day. light activist on before Ramada, this
will help you carry on through the
month without having the adverse ef-
4. Reduce caffeine intake: If you
are a coffee-lover and do not want fect. Include moderate walking short-
to have a pounding headache during ly before breaking the fast, ensuring
the first few days of Ramadan, start you won’t go too long without water.
reducing your caffeine intake now. Swimming and Yoga are other good
S Ramadan approaches, future month of fasting. Switch to decaf, one coffee at a time, options. And of course stretching
regularly, particularly in the morning,
focusing on the spiritual until you are only drinking decaffein- But it’s definitely not advisable
blessings of this ninth 1. Food consumption: Begin with ated coffee, then cut it out altogether. for anyone to fast on the last one is important for keeping the body
Amonth of the Islamic eating moderate quantities. Do not And with so many Muslims regular- or two days before Ramadan starts. limber.
calendar should be the first priority splurge on food because Ramadan is ly enjoying coffee and tea as part of You need to make sure your body is 10.Local doctor: If you have
for those observing the fast. approaching. This will only increase their daily routines, scaling back now well-nourished and in good physical
By easing into the fast and making your appetite and make it more is prudent. To do this, try cutting and mental condition for the month concerns over your ability to fast for
small changes now, you’ll increase difficult to fast. your morning cup of coffee in half, of fasting. whatever reason, be it diabetes, high
blood pressure or reflux, now is the
your chances of avoiding otherwise The good news is that these side or if you enjoy two cups, make it only time to schedule an appointment
inevitable symptoms that come with effects are short-term roadblocks one. If you regularly take tea in the 7.Regulate sleep: If you normally with your doctor. Check with your
significantly decreasing food intake on your journey to better health, early afternoon or later in the day, sleep late and wake up late, start reg- doctor if it is safe for you to fast.
including headaches, migraines and and most will go away in about 1-2 decrease the amount by one cup. ulating your sleep from now, because Fasting during Ramadan is com-
stomach aches. weeks. Whoever by eating moder- during Ramadan you will be waking pulsory for all adult Muslims, except
Some of us think we will suddenly ately you can avoid these symptoms; 5.Wean off smoking: Smokers up early for Suhoor. You might also those who are sick, elderly, pregnant,
be ready when Ramadan starts, but Headache, feeling hungry, excess who enter Ramadan unprepared be sleeping earlier as a result. Alter- breastfeeding, diabetic or travelling.
planning will make the transition a gas and bloating, stomach cramps may experience various withdrawal natively, have an afternoon nap and
lot easier and which just a few days to , light-headedness, mood changes symptoms such as irritability, anger, sleep a little later. Whatever sleeping
go there is not much time left. These as wells as nutritional deficiencies restlessness, impatience, and diffi- habit you choose, start to mimic it
10 tips are steps you can take to help which could be more long term. culty concentrating during fasting from now.
prepare your body for this or any hours. To avoid this, reduce smoking Lack of sleep directly affects how we
during the day to mimic what will think and feel. While the short-term
happen when you fast. It is also good impacts are more noticeable, chronic
to view Ramadan as an opportunity sleep deprivation can heighten the
to quit bad habits such as smoking long-term risk of physical and mental
altogether. health problems.
Hopefully, the prayers and general
focus on spiritual matters during 8.Stock up: Meal-planning before
Ramadan will help to make it easy Ramadan can save you a lot of hassle,
not to think about reaching for a especially during the first week of
cigarette. Ramadan while you are busy ad-
justing. Prepare your menu for Iftar
6.Voluntary fast days: What better and Suhoor for the first seven days,
way to prepare yourself for Ramadan list the ingredients needed, and go
than through practice? Try doing a grocery shopping now when you are
few fasts in the run up to Ramadan still full of energy.
to help you adapt. This is also a great Even preparing meals that can be
opportunity to make up for any frozen is a great idea to help you plan
missed fasts from last year. ahead for any days you may have un-