Prepared by Dr. Nada Al-Essa
With the advent of the blessed month of Ramadan every year, the Islamic world lives in a distinct spiritual atmosphere that differs from the rest of the year. Perhaps fasting in this month is one of the important pillars whose effects extend to all aspects of Muslims’ lives. Fasting has positive effects on the general health of the body and on mental health in a way private
Fasting does not mean refraining from eating and drinking, and stopping practicing desires during the day, but in addition to that, there is a special spiritual atmosphere that characterizes this holy month, which is the participation among individuals in organizing their times during the day between worship and work at specific times and allocating unified times in which they meet to break the fast.
Fasting has many benefits for the individual, including the individual gaining reward from performing the obligatory fast in Ramadan, in addition to the physical benefits for some patients such as diabetes and pressure patients, and it also has psychological benefits, as fasting leads to balance in the human body and thus to improving the psychological state of Through social communication and participation in the atmosphere of Ramadan, which is what interests us in our current topic, which is: What is the relationship between fasting and mental health? There is a close relationship between fasting and mental health, including:
Fasting leads to a balance in the human body
1- Participation in Ramadan:
The month of Ramadan is characterized by sharing among family members through the family meeting over food at one time.
The individual’s keenness to pray in congregation, family visits, and the practice of worship, and these participations have a positive effect on improving mental health, especially for those who suffer from isolation, as these participations break the barrier between them and those around them.
Participation in Ramadan in food leads to mental health
2- Fasting strengthens the will:
Fasting has positive effects in strengthening the will, which is a weak point for most individuals, as it gives them determination through the patience required to postpone the satisfaction of personal needs and a sense of satisfaction through its success in self-control, and this increases self-confidence and contributes to doubling the individual’s endurance, which increases his confrontation And his resistance to any bad behaviors in his life, such as the ability to quit some harmful behaviors such as smoking.
Fasting strengthens the will
3- Fasting leads to tranquility and closeness to God:
Fasting gives a person a sense of comfort and tranquility by drawing closer to God by praying, which achieves him
A sense of reassurance and trust in God, which strengthens the endurance of difficult circumstances and the ability to face the problems facing the individual in his life, which gives him psychological comfort, calmness and patience in the face of adversity. In addition, fasting contributes to getting rid of the feelings of anxiety and tension that the individual feels as a result of the problems of daily life.
Prayer leads to reassurance and closeness to God
5- Fasting relieves stress and develops the ability to think organized:
Fasting has a role in reducing stress, and the main reason for this is that the consumption of organized food affects the way of thinking, which in turn becomes organized as well. According to him, studies have shown that low levels of food, including carbohydrates and fats in specific quantities, enhance the ability to think, and develop the ability to think. Controls emotions, relieves stress.
Organizing the eating schedule during Ramadan preserves the cortisol hormone responsible for the body’s response to stress and tension, as fasting works to control the cortisol hormone produced by the adrenal glands. When eating is regulated, hormones are more regulated as well, which can reduce stress levels.
5- Fasting helps to develop the personality of the individual:
One of the benefits of fasting is that it develops personality, increases maturity and assume responsibility, and helps the individual to psychological calm and reassurance. His ability not to look at the taboos that he used to practice in normal times and other behavioral actions that invalidate the fast are among the factors that strengthen the personality of the individual and modify in some moral and behavioral aspects of his personality and continue with him after fasting, validating the words of the Messenger (peace and blessings of God be upon him) the best of deeds. Keep it up even if you say.
Fasting helps the individual to enjoy a balanced personality, by committing to performing acts of worship and applying the teachings of religion in his dealings with others, adhering to Islamic morals and following the example of the Messenger of God (may God bless him and grant him peace) in his behavior and dealings with others, and thus becomes less susceptible to psychological disorders, because of his feeling of comfort Psychological and permanent self-satisfaction.
Which contributes to restoring the psychological balance through drawing closer to God, which gives the individual security in reward and helps to get rid of the negative feelings that the individual feels when he faces his daily problems.
Fasting helps to develop one’s personality
Tips for improving mental health in Ramadan:
There are some tips that an individual can follow in Ramadan to improve his psychological state, including:
1- Avoid staying up late in Ramadan or on normal days, and get enough sleep.
2- Avoid fatty foods late at night.
3-Avoid isolation and share with others.
4- Ensuring that the prayer is performed in the mosque.
5- People who have a balanced personality and have a strong religious motive, are the ones who are committed to performing acts of worship and the spirit of religion in their dealings are often less affected by psychological disorders.
6- The importance of drawing closer to God through fasting and acts of worship, and the role of faith in God in prevention and treatment of mental illnesses and other problems, and reaching a state of reassurance, stability and psychological balance.
Worship brings peace and psychological comfort
In conclusion: From the point of view of psychiatry, we view fasting and the advent of the month of Ramadan as a good opportunity and an important season that helps us in facing many psychological problems that the individual suffers from throughout the year. An example of this is that smokers who used to smoke can easily quit during this period. The holy month, just as people who are nervous and irritable can control their emotions, deal with others calmly, and address their life problems with wisdom and deliberation, and the individual can acquire positive habits such as perpetuating fasting two days a week (Monday and Thursday) and maintaining prayer times in the mosque And getting rid of some behavioral habits such as lying, hypocrisy, or hypocrisy, and these behavioral habits if the individual maintains them after Ramadan, then he will acquire permanent psychological health.