Iftar. Pic: Ayesha Rahman

It’s that time of the year when 124,400 Muslims living in Tower Hamlets join together and celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. Dedicating their time to bettering themselves and abstaining from food and drink during the day isn’t the easiest, so Eastlondonlines has put together a list of tips to make this Ramadan a little less tough for those who are fasting.

A cup of water. Pic: Ayesha Rahman

Step 1. Hydrate

It’s extremely important to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, allowing key bodily functions to get us through our everyday activities. Although this may not be possible during the day, drinking a few extra glasses of water during Iftar and suhoor (at least 8) would make a huge difference. Your body will definitely thank you for that later.

Fried food. Pic: Ayesha Rahman

Step 2. Avoid fried food

This one may seem a little bit difficult at first, but stuffing yourself with oily food will only make you feel even more tired and sluggish. Not to mention the increase in salt may potentially cause dehydration.

Try fibre-rich food which makes you feel full for a longer period of time due to the slow digestion. Eating fruit and veg is a great choice to provide our body with essential vitamins and minerals to keep us awake and energised.

A plate of watermelon. Pic: Ayesha Rahman

Step 3. Don’t skip Suhoor

Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, gives you strength and makes the fasting more tolerable. Skipping Suhoor means that your body must rely on the food you consumed on the previous day until you can eat again. If you go a long time without eating it will lead to feeling tired and weak the next day. Additionally, this would not only make you gain weight faster but may also cause bloating and problems with the digestive system. Eating carbohydrates would be a great way to prolong the release of energy throughout the day.

Football. Pic: Ayesha Rahman

Step 4. Stay active

If you want to burn a few extra calories, stay active! Going for walks and keeping your body moving will tone your body and keep your strength going. High-intensity workouts might not be encouraged due to the lack of energy and dehydration. However, light exercises like meditation, gentle aerobics and walking are encouraged. Avoid exercising right after eating, as our blood flow is being directed to our digestive system.

Young boy sleeping. Pic: Ayesha Rahman

Step 5. Rest!

Probably the most useful tip of all. Getting enough sleep and having regular naps will keep you focused at all times. The National Sleep Foundation said 20-30-minute naps can “improve alertness and performance” without leaving you feeling groggy. This will help you feel refreshed and energised to carry on with your daily tasks for the rest of the day.

Students working. Pic: Ayesha Rahman

Step 6. Keep yourself busy

Try taking up a hobby you can enjoy, or finishing off tasks to keep yourself busy for when you start feeling hungry. Not only are you being productive, but you also get to trick your body into thinking that you are simply too busy to feel hungry. That way you won’t spend your time staring at the clock and torturing yourself by browsing pictures of delicious food.