Happy fasting in the 1446H Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is a month full of blessings where every act of worship is multiplied by Allah’s rewards. Similarly, fasting not only teaches us to be pious servants, but it also has countless benefits for physical, mental, and spiritual health. However, all of this must be balanced with good habits during fasting. If one only fasts without practicing good habits, the act of fasting will only be about refraining from hunger and thirst without providing any benefits. Below are some habits that can be practiced to make fasting more meaningful and beneficial.

  1. Wake Up for Suhoor Suhoor is an important source of energy for fasting, so make sure you are not to skip it. Fulfill your body’s vitamin and mineral needs during Suhoor and drink plenty of water to stay healthy and strong throughout the day. This will help you avoid breaking your fast due to weakness or lack of energy.
  2. Worship During the month of Ramadan, it is best to perform both obligatory and voluntary acts of worship. Some acts of worship that can be practiced during Ramadan include: praying in congregation, reciting the Quran (Tadarus), performing Tarawih prayers, giving charity (Sadaqah), performing Tahajjud prayers, and paying Zakat Fitrah.
  3. Exercise Fasting should not prevent you from staying active. Exercising helps keep your body fit and strengthens your immune system. During Ramadan, you can do low-intensity workouts for 20-30 minutes before iftar, after iftar, or before bedtime.
  4. Eat Healthy and Nutritious Food During fasting, an individual is required to endure hunger and thirst for several hours. However, this does not hinder meeting the body’s daily nutritional needs. One way to obtain sufficient nutritional intake is by consuming a well balanced iftar menu like, dates, mineral water, fruits, vegetable soup, chicken, oatmel, fish and red meat.
  1. Study Fasting is not an excuse to be lazy in studying. Research shows that fasting can actually improve concentration. Create a study schedule during Ramadan by identifying the times when your energy and focus are at their best, such as before iftar or after Tarawih prayers.
  1. Socialize Humans are social beings. During Ramadan, you can strengthen your social spirit by doing activities such as sharing iftar meals (takjil), reciting the Quran together (Tadarus), joining a short-term Islamic boarding school (Pesantren Kilat), and attending religious studies with friends.
  2. Sleep on Time Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining your health while engaging in daily activities and worship. A well-rested body allows you to be more active and focused in your worship. So, try not to stay up past 10 PM.

These habits are the implementation of the 7 Great Habits of Indonesian Kids during Ramadan. If you consistently practice these seven habits, they will become a part of you, shaping a more positive character and helping you appreciate time better.