How to keep up your productivity during Ramadan

For people living and working in the Middle East, Ramadan is more than just an important Islamic tradition. It is a time when a lot of things are different from the rest of the year, as the daily routines change. With all its spiritual and religious significance, fasting is an integral part of life during Ramadan. However, fasting for over 16 hours in a day while you go to work and settle other daily chores, is definitely not an easy feat.

If you are a business owner, you are dealing with a staff where most of the people are fasting and hence possibly not at their productive best. The same applies to you if you are an employee and working for an organization – you might not be able to give your 100 percent attention and effort. It is a chance that with day-long fasting; you get tired and lazy and get very little done in a day. Lack of productivity is cited as one of the major problems during Ramadan in the business world in the region.

However, there are some ways that can help you keep up the productivity levels and make your Ramadan an enjoyable and reflective time that it is supposed to be, rather than one filled with remorse of not giving your 100 per cent or not being able to maintain the business pace to the optimal levels.

1. Make most of the right time: Work when your energy levels are at their best. Right after Suhoor would be a great time. If you are working from home or if your work nature is flexible in terms of deadlines, make the most of this time. Also the earlier part of the day should probably have a good amount of energy to keep you going. So, try finishing the most important tasks during this period. 

2. Become more organised: Right at the onset of Ramadan, schedule your entire month’s goals and break them down as per the work hours you will be able to dedicate. Usually, you plan your day – here plan your month. Make time for work, make time for rest, make time for family gatherings, and also make time for prayers. You will be surprised how your productivity boosts once you plan out your month in advance. 

3. Take a break: If you try to keep up the normal routine when you are fasting for most of the day, you will be disappointed. So the best way to deal with this is – take a break and go easy on yourself. It is ok to feel tired and to not get the same amount of work done. 

4. Heavy suhoor, light iftar: This trick will not only keep you healthy but will also help you maintain your energy level to the best when needed the most. The food we eat, when we eat and what we eat – these are the main factors that determine how you feel. Keep you fruits and vegetables in plenty and fried food in check and see how it makes it easy to work during the day.

5. Move and exercise: Probably one of the most neglected aspects of staying healthy during Ramadan is exercising. Ask a doctor and he will tell you that fatigue in fasting is generally caused by lack of oxygen and its reduced supply to the brain. The best way of overcoming this is moving from time to time and maintaining a routine of daily light exercise.

Try these tricks and share with us what difference they made to your daily routine. Are there tricks that you use to stay more productive during the holy month of Ramadan?