Mental Health Benefits Of Ramazan Fasting

Friday, June 26, 2015, 17:03 [IST]

Muslims from all over the world fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. The fasting is not only about giving a break but also it has much to do with the mental health. During fasting in the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims have to control their emotions also that are related to wordily things such as anger.

10 Things Not To Be Done During Ramadan

It has been show in a study that fasting improves emotional and mental health. Fasting has mood- boosting effects because when we are hungry the body releases some chemicals to protect the brain. These chemicals also elevate the mood.

To avail the psychological benefits of fasting, one must practice control on all the negative emotions and offer all the religious duties. Giving up food alone can not help to get you the benefits of fasting on your mind. Fasting in Ramadan can treat anxiety and depression. It improves your sleep and gives you mental peace and joy.

How To Avail The Health Benefits Of Ramadan

Have a look at psychological benefits of fasting

Peaceful And Happy Mind

After the first week of Ramadan we can feel the changes in our mind. It becomes calm, peaceful and happy. However, in the first week our body begins to adapt with this fasting mode by releasing hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline, dopamine, steroid hormones.

Treats Anxiety And Depression

A study shows that fasting decreases the symptoms of depression and anxiety just after few days. based on a study. Fasting in Ramadan releases more endorphins in the brain which make you happy and elated. During Ramadan there is combined effect of faith and fasting which helps to treat depression.

Improves Sleep Quality

Research has shown that fasting improves the quality of sleep. A fasting person gets a better sleep without getting awake in between. After a week of fasting, you can find improvement in your slep quality. Better sleep will lead to better mood.

Reduces Migraine Headaches

It has been seen that relives migraine headaches and also decreases the episodes of migraine. Many researchers found that fasting increases the level of available serotonin in the brain, thus making you happy, relaxed and prevents migraine.

Positive Changes In The Brain

A research has shown that the practice of prayers, faith and spirituality in the month of Ramadan involves and alters many areas of the brain. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET (Positive Emission Tomography) of the brain has shown that during religious activities stimulate the prefrontal cortex of the brain which determines your personality, expression, decision making, cognitive function etc.

Fasting In Ramadan Alleviates Fear And Aggression

Fasting removes fear, anger and aggression by switching off the amygdale part of your brain. This part of the brain is concerned with the negative emotions registers fear and anger by monitoring the environment for threats and dangers.

Fasting Fills Your Mind With Love And Joy

Scientists have proven that fasting and religious activities gives an intense feelings of calmness, peace, love and joy as both the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters are released in the brain to show their emotional effects.