المملكة: Specialists for"today"The balance between fasting and studying in Ramadan begins with an organized lifestyle

As The blessed month of Ramadan, manifestations of spirituality are renewed and opportunities for self-discipline are enhanced. However, this month carries with it special challenges for school students, who find themselves facing a delicate equation that requires balancing between fasting, study requirements, and daily activities. Changes in sleep and meal times, the pressures of studying, and a decline in the level of mental energy for some, are all factors that may affect academic performance and mental health, which makes adopting a healthy and organized lifestyle a necessity, not an option.

In this investigation, “Al-Youm” reviews the opinions of a group of specialists in the fields of medicine, nutrition, and psychological and social health, who provide scientific insights and practical advice that helps students achieve a balance between fasting and academic achievement, ensuring the preservation of focus and energy, and enhancing physical and mental health during the holy month.
Fastingin itself does not represent an obstacle to academic achievement. Rather, the real challenge lies in the wrong habits associated with the month of Ramadan, such as excessive staying up late, wasting time, lack of daily organization, and neglect of study.

He emphasizes that the first step to achieving a balance between study and fasting begins with establishing a clear daily schedule that takes into account the times of sleep, study, and worship, pointing out that the student who adheres to a healthy and balanced lifestyle, combining proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and time management, can turn Ramadan into a A station to enhance focus and self-discipline, not an obstacle to success.

With regard to students with diabetes, Al-Agha explains that fasting is not subject to a general rule, but rather to an individual medical evaluation that determines the student’s ability to fast safely. Some cases, especially those with type 1 diabetes or those who suffer from severe fluctuation in blood sugar levels, may be advised not to fast in order to preserve their health, while stable cases of the second type can fast under close medical supervision with adjustment of therapeutic doses.

Al-Agha warns of the most dangerous thing that a diabetic student may face during the school day, which is a low or high blood sugar level, explaining that the symptoms of low blood sugar include severe sweating, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty concentrating, and may reach Fainting. He stresses the necessity of measuring blood sugar as soon as these symptoms appear, and breaking the fast immediately if it is proven to be below the safe level, stressing that self-preservation takes precedence over completing the fast.

He also points out that measuring blood sugar does not break the fast, but rather is a necessary measure to maintain the student’s safety, calling for adherence to a balanced diet for breakfast and suhoor, limiting sweets and sweetened drinks, while being careful to drink sufficient amounts of water and engage in light physical activity after breakfast.

The Agha concludes that health awareness and regular medical follow-up represent the cornerstone of safe fasting for diabetic students, stressing that the decision must be based on a scientific evaluation and not on personal desire, as health is trust, and Ramadan A month of mercy in which there is no hardship for the sick.

Bawaked: The problem is staying up late and malnutrition, not fasting.

For his part, family and community medicine consultant Dr. Khaled Obaid Bawaked confirms that fasting does not interfere with academic achievement as long as the student manages his time well and adheres to balanced health habits, pointing out that the fatigue that some students feel is not related to fasting itself as much as it is related to staying up late, lack of sleep, and malnutrition.

He points out that Pre-planning the day represents the starting point for achieving a balance between studying and fasting, by distributing study hours to the periods in which the student is in his best mental state, while organizing sleep schedules so that he gets at least seven to eight hours a day, even if they are divided between night sleep and a short nap after returning from school.

It is also recommended to reduce the use of phones and smart devices before sleep, because blue light has a negative impact on sleep quality, stressing that a short nap ranging between 20 and 30 minutes can enhance mental activity. It improves concentration without affecting night sleep.

Bawaked confirms that the student who balances worship, study, and rest emerges from the holy month more committed and able to achieve, both health-wise and academically.

Al-Sharif: Managing the evening period is the key to academic success

Pediatrics consultant Dr. Nasraldin Al-Sharif agrees with the previous opinions, stressing that the evening period after breakfast represents an important opportunity for students to compensate for mental activity, follow up on schoolwork, and develop personal skills, but the excessive use of electronic devices and games Video may lead to wasting time, weakening concentration, and disrupting sleep.

He points out that organizing time after breakfast begins with setting daily priorities, by setting a schedule that balances study, rest, hobbies, and light physical activity, while allocating specific times to use electronic devices without excessive amounts.

Al-Sharif believes that the student who masters managing his time during this period acquires a basic life skill that helps him achieve his goals without feeling exhausted or psychological pressure, stressing that organization does not only reflect on academic achievement, but also contributes to enhancing mental and physical health.

Bracha: Sleep and time management protect psychological balance

In the psychological context, psychiatry consultant Dr. Muhammad Ijaz Baracha explains that the most prominent challenges students face in Ramadan are sleep disturbances. And mental stress and tension related to academic duties, in addition to the change in meal times.

He points out that lack of sleep directly affects brain chemistry, and leads to poor concentration, increased nervousness, and irritability, which makes getting seven to eight hours of sleep a day an indispensable necessity, even if it is divided between a night’s sleep and a short nap.

He also confirms that time management represents the cornerstone of maintaining mental health during the holy month, by dividing studying into short periods interspersed with simple breaks. Which increases the efficiency of mental performance and reduces stress.

Bracha concludes that Ramadan is not a month for stress and tension, but rather a school for promoting patience and self-regulation, and that a student who enjoys positive family support and is keen on a healthy lifestyle can combine academic excellence with psychological stability.

Shahini: Family planning creates a safe Ramadan experience

Social worker Murooj Muhammad Shahini confirms that fasting for school students represents a positive experience that enhances discipline and responsibility, provided that it is done within a healthy framework that takes into account their physical and psychological needs. Pointing out that the role of the family in organizing and following up is a pivotal factor in protecting children during the holy month.

She explains that the right beginning begins with a comprehensive suhoor meal that contains proteins, complex carbohydrates and fruits, because of their role in stabilizing blood sugar levels and improving concentration, with the importance of replacing fluids and limiting sugary drinks and caffeine.

She also stresses that healthy sleep is an essential element that is no less important than nutrition, as lack of sleep directly affects academic achievement and general mood. She calls for organizing sleep times and dividing meals in a balanced manner, paying attention to fruits and vegetables and practicing light physical activity in the evening. And psychologically, without negatively affecting their academic achievement.

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