Here are a few tips for those of us who have busy lives but want to ensure we achieve a productive Ramadan.
Even outside of Ramadan, the conventional life of the busy professional often comprises endless tasks and routines that set them moving from dawn to dusk. Muslims that observe the Holy month may be even more strapped for time, energy, and freedom than most, especially because they have to add in other priorities that are associated with their faith. This primarily means fasting and prayers in the evening.
Abstinence from food and drink for 30 days, from sunrise to sunset, can occasionally result in lethargy, lack of productivity, and poor performance. Fasting causes minor dehydration in most people, resulting in headaches and a loss of concentration.
This of course can lead to a loss of productivity – something that most working Muslims can attest to. With that, here are a few simple tips for those of us who have busy lives but still want to get the optimum performance we need during Ramadan.
Related: 5 Tips to Survive Your First Ramadan
1. Eat Right
Productivity flourishes amongst healthy energy, and when you’re fasting, you need to make sure you’re getting enough nourishment and energy. Maintain hydrated during mealtimes and restrict items that have flavour but no nutritional value.
Since you have less time in the day to consume the necessary nutrients and calories that’s crucial for maximum productivity, it’s best that you start consuming the most efficient types of food. Choices like oatmeal, cinnamon, beans, lentils, sesame seeds, dates, yoghurt, and bananas are all fantastic for recovering energy supplies in the body for a more productive Ramadan.
Related: Healthy Eating Habits to Adopt During Ramadan
2. Sleep Well
Many Muslims complain about getting little sleep during Ramadan because they stay up later than usual reading the Quran or praying night prayers, then waking up early for suhoor. However, sleep is important for productivity, and if your nights are too short, you may need to consider taking a day nap.
3. Work Smart to stay productive this Ramadan
For many of us, work routines may have to change at least slightly. We may have to rush back home earlier, or continue working a little later after breaking our fast and settling prayers. Either way, it’s best that you have a discussion with your employer about the changes, as most people are accommodating to your personal needs especially if it’s temporary.
Push urgent tasks that need to be done throughout the day to the top of the work pile so you start early on them and move your way down the priority list in the office. That way, lower priority tasks can be excused for the next day or be done comfortably at your own pace once all crucial things are settled.
Related: 5 Tips to Stay Motivated at Work during Ramadan
4. Set Priorities
Speaking of priorities, the concept of setting them does not end at work. When you get home, it’s important that you change the motions you’re used to for this month. Small habits that lead to longer points of procrastination like sitting on the sofa with your phone, should be minimised or removed completely.
Set the priority list for lifestyle purposes and start removing movements around the house that don’t lead to productivity. Leave this time for preparing food, tending to your family, or finishing up on leftover work so you can get straight to other important Ramadan obligations like prayers, recitations, and breaking your fast.
5. Declutter routines is a great way to stay productive during Ramadan
Now might be a great opportunity for you to practice the minimalist lifestyle in a lot of ways. For one, a day filled with too many unnecessary motions will lead to you feeling overwhelmed with too many tasks. It’s time to declutter the routines you’re usually revolving around.
Let go of certain activities like exercise in the morning or procrastination leeway so you can get more done by the time the day has ended. Hobbies, conversational moments like long meetings, and other tasks that can be pushed to another time should all be removed from the list of priorities during Ramadan.
The holy month is a time of blessing, trials, and appreciation of the simple yet crucial things in life. It’s important that we maintain priorities while managing the many intricacies of everyday routines as we fast and observe Ramadan this year.
Related: 9 Tips to Prepare for Ramadan 2022