Ramadan and working from home - Top 5 tips

by Amina Amin

Hello there, I’m Amina – a trainee solicitor at Jones Whyte Law and a Non-Executive Committee Member of SYLA.

First of all, Ramadan Kareem to all the Muslim Members. I hope your fasts are going well during this tough time. It will definitely be a Ramadan to remember!

As many of you are, I am also working from home. Whilst this has many challenges in itself, I am facing another challenge, which is working from home during Ramadan. Ramadan is the holy ninth month of the Muslim year, whereby Muslims do not eat or drink between the rising  and setting of the sun. Yes, you heard it, no food or drink for at least 18 hours!

Now you are probably wondering... Amina how are you managing? Well over the past two weeks of fasting I have observed some tips and tricks that may help you get through this challenging (but utterly rewarding) month!

My top 5 tips are:
1. Do not skip your pre-dawn meal (suhoor). I know…the thought of waking up before sunrise to eat does not sound appealing but this step is vital in order to stay focused during the working day. I have found that I am much more productive when I have had my pre-dawn meal. This is the time to hydrate and refuel before another day of fasting and working so it is not to be missed!
2. Plan your day. Make a list of tasks you would like to achieve both for work and outside of work. This is a great way to prioritize and manage your fasting day effectively.
3. Go for a walk. Although we are all tired and hungry, I have found that a 15-minute walk outside does wonders to my mood.
4. Sleep, sleep, sleep! Having a power nap after finishing work will allow you to catch up on the hours you missed whilst waking up for your pre-dawn meal. Remember, a tired mind can’t do much!
5. Enjoy it. Although this Ramadan will be like no other, we should take this moment to self-reflect. Let’s all be grateful for everything we have and remind ourselves that we can get through this difficult time!