Mental Health Secrets of Ramadan Fasting

Listen to this News

Highlights:

• Ramadan is observed as a holy month by Muslims worldwide from 2nd of April to 2nd of May 2022
• Fasting during the month of Ramadan not only enhances spirituality but is also a key to overall physical and mental well-being
• Ramadan fasting is known to unlock potential mental health benefits including insomnia, anxiety, and depression

‘Ramadan fasting is found to have productive effects on the mental health of individuals as it helps alleviate mental ailments like anxiety, stress, depression, and insomnia (sleeping difficulty).’

India is home to rich cultures and varied traditions, many of which hold scientific back-up such as fasting. The impact of fasting on overall well-being is noteworthy and what else could be ideally connected with fasting other than the holy month of Ramadan.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, is observed as a holy month where Muslims engage in fasting and prayers among the community globally. It is celebrated in India this year from the evening of April 2nd (Saturday) to the evening of May 2nd (Monday)(1^✔).

Muslims are obligated to fast every day throughout the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset (or night), along with self-denial from sex, drinking, and smoking.

Benefits of Fasting

The elementary drive of Ramadan fasting is to enrich one's virtue of self-control, mind-disciplines, being grateful, empathizing, and inculcating good deeds. Although the act of fasting is linked to religious acts, it has a wide array of scientific back-up due to its optimistic emphasis that unravels potential health benefits(2^✔).

�Health' is defined as a "state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or immunity," according to the World Health Organization (WHO)(2^✔).

With expanding research, fasting is now known as a legitimate way for cellular repair mechanisms and to prevent several chronic illnesses like blood pressure, heart diseases, cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and other body inflammation.

Apart from its physical health benefits, fasting is equally beneficial for your brain health - and overall mental well-being. Several studies implicate the mental-health benefits of fasting during Ramadan.

Mental Well-Being and Ramadan Fasting

Encompassing one's mental well-being is considered the first phase of achieving good health.

Ramadan fasting is known to have fruitful effects on overall mental well-being - cognitive, emotional, and behavioral health aspects(2^✔).

Studies have shown that it significantly helps to overcome mental illnesses like anxiety, stress, depression, and insomnia, thereby leading to memory improvements and overall mental well-being(4^✔).

Hence, fasting can also be considered a complementary treatment strategy (under the supervision of healthcare professionals) against mental ailments(2^✔).

Unlock the Tranquility!

Mental well-being during Ramadan fasting is perhaps found to be linked to its enhanced state of spiritual and emotional stability.

The holy month also helps shun ignorant/negative deeds, thereby fostering unifying & good conduct that boosts the brain's �feel-good' chemical - endorphins(7^✔). Data also state that fasting improves self-sufficiency, self-acceptance, and social relationships.

The entire month serves as a chance to reset one's unhealthy behaviours and augment the act of self-reflection - key to mental well-being(7^✔). The exciting benefits of Ramadan fasting thereby mandate further research to explore its optimistic effect on mental health.

Reconcile your inner harmony as the spiritual and mental benefits illuminate during this month of Ramadan!

References:

1. Fasting during Ramadan - (https:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting_during_Ramadan#:~:text=During%20the
   %20entire%20month%20of,food%20and%20drink%20and%20smoking)
2. The effects of fasting during Ramadan on physical and mental wellbeing - (https:www.idf.org/component/attachments/?task=download&id=2347:210126_DaR_CH4_The-effects-of-fasting-during-Ramadan--on-physical-and-mental-wellbeing_SingleLow#:~:text=Fasting%20during
   %20Ramadan%20can%20have,one's%20physical%20and%20mental%20wellbeing.&text=This%20can
   %20include%20weight%20loss,feelings%20of%20stress%20and%20anxiety)
3. Yousuf, S., Syed, A., &Ahmedani, M.Y.(2021). To explore the association of Ramadan fasting with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in people with diabetes. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 172,108545.
4. Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Physical and Mental Health of Elderly People - (https:idosi.org/wjns/4(3)18/1.pdf)
5. Hosseini Almosavi, M.(2015), A brief look at the role of fasting in mental health and its correspondence with advances in psychology. Journal of Nutrition, Fasting, and Health, 3(3),132-137.
6. Al-Ozairi, E., AlAwadhi, M. M., Al-Ozairi, A., Taghadom, E., & Ismail, K..(2019).A prospective study of the effect of fasting during the month of Ramadan on depression and diabetes distress in people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 153, 145-149.
7. The positive effects of Ramadan on your mental health - (https:www.priorygroup.ae/news-blogs/the-positive-effects-of-ramadan-on-your-mental-health/)

Source: Medindia

Cite this Article ⇣⇡

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

• APA

  Karishma Abhishek. (2022, April 13). Mental Health Secrets of Ramadan Fasting. Medindia. Retrieved on May 01, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/mental-health-secrets-of-ramadan-fasting-206596-1.htm.

• MLA

  Karishma Abhishek. "Mental Health Secrets of Ramadan Fasting". Medindia. May 01, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/mental-health-secrets-of-ramadan-fasting-206596-1.htm>.

• Chicago

  Karishma Abhishek. "Mental Health Secrets of Ramadan Fasting". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/mental-health-secrets-of-ramadan-fasting-206596-1.htm. (accessed May 01, 2024).

• Harvard

  Karishma Abhishek. 2022. Mental Health Secrets of Ramadan Fasting. Medindia, viewed May 01, 2024, https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/mental-health-secrets-of-ramadan-fasting-206596-1.htm.