Ramadan can be a challenging month for many, especially, in these hot summer months in Qatar when temperatures soar and it’s hard to be out in the sun without feeling a little dehydrated. On the other side, it has many rewards, both spiritual and for the mind and body. There is lots of bonding over Iftars and Sohours with friends and family, cleansing of the mind and the body, time to reflect, breaking bad habits like smoking; being more compassionate and kind towards those around us and showing more patience are just some of the rewards that help us get through this holy month of fasting.

Here, we’ve put together some life hacks for Ramadan in Qatar we feel will help you get through the month feeling healthier, happier and closer to your spiritual side and a lot more active.

1. Keep yourself hydrated

This is probably the most common hack and you’ve probably heard it over and over again. For someone like me who tends to suffer from migraines in the first 1-2 days of fasting, I have found out the hard way that, in the times, between Iftar and Suhour, it’s necessary to drink plenty of water, because one of the main reasons for migraines or even headaches in Ramadan is dehydration from lack of drinking enough water which will also make you feel more fatigued. So, please drink plenty of water to ensure you are hydrated enough to get through the day while fasting, especially in a hot country like Qatar.

The recommended amount is eight glasses (two litres) of water a day starting from the time you break the fast till the time you start again after Sohour.

2. Get a good amount of sleep

During Ramadan, many people complain they don’t get enough sleep, especially if they are working or have school pickups and drop ups. Lack of sleep is also another reason many people get migraines or headaches during Ramadan, so it’s even more important to get a good night’s sleep and feel less fatigued during the day, especially since sleep is disturbed when you get up for Suhour.

Avoid taking caffeine too late after Iftar, stay away from social media and turn off your electronic gadgets, get into a Ramadan bedtime routine and try to sleep early, so that even though you have to get up at Sohour and there’s a break in your sleep, you get up in the morning feeling fresh and fatigue-less. I know it isn’t always easy, especially in a place like Qatar, where most of the activity during Ramadan takes place after Iftar and people generally, sleep well into the day if they can.

It’s also a good idea to take a nap in the afternoon so you feel refreshed before Iftar time, especially if you’re the one doing all the Iftar preparations.

3. Don’t laze around

When you’re fasting, you may feel a lack of energy. You’ll probably blame it on the fact that you haven’t eaten or drunk anything for hours or on the hot Qatar weather, but that may not always be the case actually. The reason you are feeling fatigued and low energy may be because you have not been moving around much. Get up from the sofa or from behind your computer screen at work and move around. You can take a small walk, stretch or do some light exercise at least once or twice a day to get rid of the fatigue and lack of energy while you are fasting. Believe me, you will feel more energetic; so get moving!

4. Eat more healthy foods and less fatty ones

When it comes to Sohour, try to eat more fibre foods which will keep you fuller for longer. Carbs, fatty foods and processed foods won’t keep you full for a long time, so, don’t fill your tummies with them.

For Iftar, break your fast with some dates, and follow it with a soup, if possible. This will help relax your empty tummy and get it ready for other foods.

Try not to binge eat just because you’ve been fasting from dawn till dusk. It really doesn’t help and only makes you uncomfortable in the long run. According to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him), don’t eat to your stomach’s fill. In fact, fill just one-third of your stomach with water, another one-third with food, and the remaining one-third with air.

5. Focus more on fasting, and less on food

While fasting, try not to centre the month around just food. This is a great month to reflect on life, the reasons for fasting, detox your body to make it healthier and to become a better person, so you can feed your spiritual needs. It's also a great time to be closer to God, buy doing things that will make Him happy and us a better version of ourselves.

Learn to be more patient, compassionate, helpful and warm towards the people that surround you and those you may meet during the course of the day. Try to break bad habits like smoking during this mind. It isn’t that hard, and if you focus on the reasons why you are fasting, it will actually become easier to be a better person and to get rid of bad habits.

6. Don’t stop exercising

Most people stop exercising during the month of Ramadan. Some blame it on not being able to hydrate themselves, some say they have no energy because of fasting, some use the Qatar heat as an excuse and some just become lazy and give it all up to become couch potatoes during the month of Ramadan. Don’t do that!

There is no reason to stop exercising, even if it’s light exercise or a walk around the block. Exercise will help you feel energetic and you won’t feel fatigued. The best times to exercise are about two hours after Iftar (or after Taraweeh prayer) or two hours before Iftar. What do you say? Are you putting on your exercise shoes as we speak?

For more information on Ramadan in Qatar, check out our one-stop guide to this blessed and holy month: http://www.ramadan.qa/

What are some of the life hacks you follow to make your Ramadan easy? How do you stay active in Ramadan? What is your daily routine in Ramadan? Did you like our Ramadan life hacks. Do let us know your thoughts. Like and share the article - it keeps us going!

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Nabeela

Content Writer

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