Ramadan is one of the 5 pillars of Islam where people partake in fasting for 30 days with the intention of bettering themselves using the principles of faith. The reason for this is to discipline the mind and body, the idea being that abstaining from food and drink prompts you to realize and reflect on the luxuries you have in life, learning to be grateful for what you have.
Fasting and Self-Restraint
Ramadan is not merely physical. Fasting is a commitment of the person’s body and soul to the spirit of the fast. It is a spiritual self-purification method. There have been vast amounts of research on the benefits and the effects of fasting with many developmental psychologists believing that self-restraint, one aspect of emotional intelligence, plays a more substantial role in long-term life success than even IQ.
Self-restraint requires willpower and determination, which are key ingredients in following through with tasks and goals when they become demanding, rather than giving up. Fasting, which requires that people refrain from what is most appealing to them for long periods of time, provides one of the most definitive exercises in willpower and determination that, together, translate into self-restraint, which is often a key to success.
Benefits of Fasting
The physical effects of fasting are well-known and researched – weight loss, cell regeneration, slower ageing, and prevention of chronic diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Far less known are the psychological benefits of fasting, though research points to many positive effects of fasting on mental health, including –
Improved mood – After hours of fasting, women reported feeling an increased sense of achievement, reward, pride, and control, which indicates a rise in self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. These effects are partly produced by an increase in certain hormones while fasting and also by that feeling of euphoria experienced after accomplishing a difficult task, which acts as a powerful feel-good drug on the brain.
Lowers stress and anxiety – A more direct effect of fasting on the brain is the production of brain proteins that mimic the effects of anti-depressant drugs, hence lowering levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, improvements in anxiety levels were so great in individuals who fast that clinicians have suggested using it as a tool to treat depression and other mood disorders.
Improved memory – Better attention is the key to a healthier memory. Remembering where you parked your car is hardly a function of how forgetful you are and more an indication of how well you paid attention in the first place. Fasting can therefore be a cure to the disease of inattention. Fasting also has a direct effect on memory by rejuvenating cells in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center, thus acting as a “seasonal cleaning” for the brain, leading to better cognitive functioning.
Fasting is challenging for many – depriving ourselves of food is one of the most difficult things to do. Nonetheless, there is a clear indication of the benefits we may attain.