3 Ways to Prepare For Ramadan In Quarantine
By Amirah Ahmed
Apr. 9, 2020
Ramadan 2020 is going to fall right in the midst of one of the most unprecedented and unexpected situations any of us has ever experienced: the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Many of us are saddened by the fact that our traditions of weekly iftaars with friends and family, tarawih prayers at the masjid with community, and pre-Eid preparations and Eid prayers will not be viable options if we are following social distancing. While this virus and its consequences pose new challenges for us, we should not let it dampen our spirituality and attitude towards our Ramadan goals.
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This year we will have to come together digitally; other groups, FMY included, have virtual iftaars, halaqas, and Q&A's planned to make the situational transition a bit easier.
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Here are 3 ways to prepare for a Ramadan gone digital!
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Set your goals ahead of time: make them acheivable!
It is all too common that we set goals at the beginning of the Ramadan month with high spirits and motivation, only to lose steam a couple weeks in. The solution to this is to establish your goals for this Ramadan in a journal (or your notes app works!) and make sure they allow you to pace yourself.
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If you know you cannot read 20 pages of Quran in one day, do not set that goal; you will only end up burning out. Instead, set a goal of 3 or 4 a day and gradually increase throughout the month! This method will increase productivity and growth and prevent burnout!
2.
Maintain A Healthy Diet!
Ramadan is a time for spiritual growth, and for most families, a celebratory time as well. We often find ourselves overindulging at iftaar and nibbling on leftovers throughout the night after a long day of fasting.
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Much of the time, the food we associate with Ramadan celebrations are not all that great for us; though they vary from culture to culture, some favorites tend to be things that are high in carbs, fat, salt, and dripping with oil.
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Although it's okay to indulge in these tasty treats sometimes, it is better to nourish our bodies with foods that are full of nutrients that will nourish us and provide a lasting energy throughout our long fasts.
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For example, you can opt for a hearty bowl of fiber-filled oatmeal with fresh fruit and protein-packed nut butter for your suhoor meal rather than fried eggs, toast, or sugary cereals.
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3.
Find A Digital Community To Cope With...
