JEDDAH – As the holy fasting month of Ramadan knocks the doors, Muslims are preparing themselves for lengthy fasting hours from dawn until sunset.

To prepare your body for the long hours without food and water, here are six tips on how to prepare ahead of the holy month.

1- EAT LESS BUT HEALTHY

Start to reduce the quantity of your meals from now. The old typical mindset of “eat all you want as you’re going to be fasting soon” is really not your best friend. It will increase your appetite and make it more difficult to fast. Along with reducing quantities, try to increase the quality by eating healthy food as well as avoiding salt and sugar.

2- STOP SNACKING

Stop eating snacks and eat only your three main meals.

3- CUT DOWN ON CAFFEINE

Coffee-lovers will have to reduce their caffeine intake to avoid caffeine withdrawal in Ramadan. So switch to decaf, one coffee at a time, until you’re only drinking decaffeinated coffee.

4- WEAN OFF SMOKING

Smokers may experience various withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anger, restlessness, impatience, and difficulty concentrating during fasting hours. Therefore, quitting is recommended any day of the year, but more so in Ramadan.

5- MASTER YOUR SLEEP SCHEDULE

From today, plan a sleeping pattern for Ramadan that fits in with your schedule and one that you can stick to as best as possible. For example, you may choose to go to bed earlier than normal, and wake up for suhoor and begin your day and then have an afternoon nap right before iftar.

6- PAY YOUR DOCTOR A VISIT

If you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure or a simple gastric reflux, this is the time to check-in with your doctor. Find out if it’s safe for you to fast and if you’ll need to make any changes in the timing and the dosage of the medications you’re on.

Source: Al-Arabiya