Ramadan health tips Keep a journal

Journaling has been widely appreciated as a healthy habit of getting your thoughts out into a safe place. How we take care of our minds affects the way our body thrives. Negativity often clouds our outlook on life and if continuously being repressed, the repercussions can jeopardize our physical health as well. By writing them down, it allows you to look back through the pages and track the progress of your thoughts. Keeping tabs on your own growth helps to boost self-esteem and instill a feeling of gratitude.

Put down the cigarette

Ramadan also prohibits smoking in the daytime as the hazardous particles from cigarettes can enter the body when inhaled, thus making your fast invalid. Unfortunately, smokers often resort to chain-smoking — which refers to smoking a number of cigarettes continuously — after Iftar to compensate for their lack of nicotine consumption during the day. As generally known, the toxic substances in cigarettes bring harmful effects on our respiratory and nervous systems. In addition, chain smoking makes the unhealthy habit even more difficult to be curbed because no attempt is made to reduce the amount of puffing.

Consequently, you lose the opportunity to minimize your smoking behaviors during the holy month, which defeats the purpose of observing Ramadan. Managing addiction is a consistent commitment. Try cutting down your smoking habits gradually prior to Ramadan to avoid withdrawal symptoms when fasting, and continue to do so after the fasting month ends. Nicotine patches and nicotine gums can also be helpful alternatives.