Empty-Stomach Intelligence: How to Maintain Productivity during Fasting Day at Work

Does being hungry make you a bit cranky? Well, some people do. In fact, there’s a physiological reason why some people get angry when they’re hungry. But more importantly, a hungry stomach often leads to lowered productivity as one may experience fatigue and low energy. Therefore, it takes a different approach to stay productive while you are fasting, since it means you are not going to have lunch or even snacks. So, how to maintain productivity during a fasting day at work? Read on.

The Science behind Being Hungry and Bad Mood

The way the brain is working on an empty and full stomach is different. Hovarth’s study shows that an empty stomach can make tremendous productivity, but prolonged hunger might result in bad mood and weariness. A study by Psychopharmacology suggested that while people often link negative states and stress to psychological factors and not necessarily metabolic factors, poor eating behavior can have an impact on people’s mood. Missing one meal might make someone “hangry” (hungry-angry) and could decrease their mood. If someone is constantly missing meals and constantly experiencing “hangry” stressor, the response could affect their emotional state on a more constant level which might lead to a decrease in productivity and decision-making.

Read Also: Dos and Don'ts at Work during Ramadan: For Muslims and Non-Muslims 

Fasting and Staying Productive

For most regions in Southeast Asia, fasting during the month of Ramadan lasts for an average of 15 hours each day. While maintaining high energy with an empty stomach is tough already, spending most of the fasting hours at work can be more challenging. Muslims who fast might not be able to focus on an important project because they miss out on lunch and the nutrients needed to maintain their moods. Nonetheless, fasting should not be the excuse behind loss of focus, lower productivity levels, or declining work quality. Here are some quick tips to keep your energy levels high during Ramadan and get you through the day:

Arrange your meals

You should know that diet can play a role in depression or stress. It implies that adopting healthy eating habits and diets can be a suitable remedy. Humans can go for weeks without food, but they cannot go for long without water. As a result, throughout the suhoor lunch and iftar dinner, drink as much water as possible to keep your body hydrated during the day. Since dehydration frequently leads to a lack of attention, you should consume meals high in water, such as watermelon in fruits, cucumber, and salads. The secret to staying rejuvenated during extended fasting hours is to balance good and nutritious meals during suhoor and iftar. For example, during suhoor, you can consume foods that contain high fiber and protein such as whole grains, lentils, or oats. These foods will keep your stomach full for a longer time.

Take a power nap

If you are fasting, it is understandable that you are not going to perform at the same pace as how you are in your regular days. The good thing is that you can slow down a bit by taking occasional breaks every one or two hours to avoid working too much that may trigger your hunger. Rather than pushing yourself to work fast, you can use 10 to 20 minutes to snooze. Moreover, since you have an hour of unused lunch break time, you can use this to take a longer nap. Power naps can improve productivity, as well as help you focus better. Taking a short nap will keep your energy up, the midday critical hours where your attention span starts to fade out due to starvation and dehydration. If your employer allows it, you can bring a comfortable neck pillow or a sofa cushion to the office and enjoy your daily dose of power nap.

Stay Focused (and Busy)

To keep yourself busy at work is the best way to go through the day while fasting. It may also be good to finish tasks first thing in the morning, especially difficult tasks or ones that require utmost focus. This way, you will have less burden later in the afternoon and can focus on a less important task that does not require focus. When you are focused on getting your task done, you will not notice how quickly time flies. You can be productive while maintaining your body to make it through iftar. After all, Ramadan is not an excuse to slack off at work, right?

The most important aspect of fasting throughout Ramadan is to arrange your time wisely. Avoid engaging in activities that will waste your time, energy, and emotions. Remember, there are ways to practice your religion without compromising your active and hectic professional life. Have a wonderful Ramadan!

Read Also: How to be Happy in Times of Adversity