Prepared by: Dr. Fatima Safwat Abdel Nour
Do we have a month of faith, repentance and forgiveness .. Do we have the month of Yemen, goodness and blessings? Welcome Ramadan.
Perhaps the most important characteristic of Ramadan from the rest of the year is the spiritual atmosphere that distinguishes this holy month and the resulting rapprochement and social communication, especially during the breakfast and suhoor period, as well as performing Tarawih prayers among others and this participation in itself has a great impact in promoting mental health.
Here we review with you some of the benefits of fasting on mental health:
1- Enhancing brain function: Studies have shown that fasting helps to enhance mental functions as it helps to strengthen memory and increase the concentration because the interruption of food and drink reduces the flow of blood loaded with oxygen to the digestive system and increases its flow to the brain and thus enhancing mental functions.
2- Reducing tension and anxiety: It has been proven that fasting makes the adrenal gland less productive to the cortisone hormone, whose high levels are associated with mood swings, and even stimulate the secretion of the dopamine hormone, which helps to calm the nerves and a sense of rest.
3- Addiction therapy: Studies have shown that fasting helps to strengthen the low will of addicts, as it gives them determination through the patience that requires the postponement of gratification of desires and a sense of contentment by controlling self-control, and this affects the affirmative in the treatment process.
4- Personality development: It means maturity and take responsibility, as it gives the opportunity to a person to think about himself and works on a balance that enhances mental health.
Hence, we can say that we all have a golden opportunity to achieve many gains in this holy month. Fasting and drawing closer to God with acts of worship in this month is one of the things that reflects positively on the mental health of all.
* Psychiatrist – Member of the Friends of Health Association
