Mental Health Secrets of Ramadan Fasting

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.

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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^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Fasting during Ramadan

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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.

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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^✔ ✔Trusted Source
The effects of fasting during Ramadan on physical and mental wellbeing

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‘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^✔ ✔Trusted Source
The effects of fasting during Ramadan on physical and mental wellbeing

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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.

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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^✔ ✔Trusted Source
The effects of fasting during Ramadan on physical and mental wellbeing

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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^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Physical and Mental Health of Elderly People

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Hence, fasting can also be considered a complementary treatment strategy (under the supervision of healthcare professionals) against mental ailments(2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
The effects of fasting during Ramadan on physical and mental wellbeing

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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^✔ ✔Trusted Source
The positive effects of Ramadan on your mental health

Go to source). 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^✔ ✔Trusted Source
The positive effects of Ramadan on your mental health

Go to source). 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