Ramadan Hacks: Sleep early, increase water intake, and prepare

As we settle into the routines that work best for us this Ramadan, Shazia Ajaib, secretary in the Exploration and Oil Drilling Engineering Department, is here to help us shake things up.  

Preparation in hydration, sleep, and cooking

The old adage says “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Shazia reminds us that there are a few simple preparations that could help us have a more productive month of fasting.

Increasing water intake 

Ajaib advises us to increase our water intake two to four weeks in advance from six to eight glasses a day. Ramadan has already started, but it’s not too late for us to make this a habit. Increasing our water consumption is important to avoid dehydration. One way to do this is to keep a bottle of water nearby and drink a cup or two of water every hour after Iftar.

Sleeping early

It’s recommended to sleep for long blocks of time and to have a regular sleep routine during Ramadan. Short power naps during the afternoon can help boost your energy during the day and sleeping in quiet, dark spaces will help you get the rest you need.

Food-prep

Ajaib recommends making and freezing soups and curry sauces to save time and energy during the hours of fasting and to free yourself up for other activities (like a power nap!)

Healthy Eating During Ramadan

Ajaib ‘s meals and recommendations for Suhoor include overnight oats for slow release energy or yoghurt with fruit and nuts. Another favorite of hers is home-made peanut butter on whole meal toast.

She recommends:

• Baking instead of frying 
• Portion control
• Limiting sugar – using honey or other natural sweeteners instead.

Here are links to some of Ajaib’s favorite Ramadan recipes.