Fasting associated with the observation of Ramadan may lead to unique challenges if you have an eating disorder. Finding support, skipping some activities, and having a structured plan may help.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims across the world. During the holy month, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise until sunset. Instead, they focus on spiritual growth, reflection, worship, and acts of service.
For Muslims who have an eating disorder, Ramadan may feel conflicting and challenging. The daily cycle of fasting and eating may make you feel the need to restrict your food intake, eat large amounts at one time, or purge after eating.
While Ramadan is meant to be challenging in many ways, it isn’t meant to have a negative impact on your mental or physical health.
If you’re a Muslim living with an eating disorder, it’s important to treat yourself with compassion during the holy month and take some time to decide whether fasting is the safest choice for you.
Getting through Ramadan when you have an eating disorder can be difficult. But you can do many things to make observing the holy month easier for you. This may include:
1. Setting boundaries
A huge part of Ramadan can revolve around the idea of feasting with others, with different Muslim cultures across the world making the evening meal (iftar) into a social event.
Many Muslims may host dinner parties with loved ones or attend community iftars.
Setting boundaries may involve choosing not to attend dinner parties or excusing yourself from conversations about feasting if these make you feel uncomfortable or anxious.
But doing this doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the social elements of the holy month. Consider asking loved ones whether they’d like to meet at the mosque for the night prayer (Tarawih) or volunteer for a local charity event together.
2. Making time for suhoor
During Ramadan, Muslims around the world wake before sunrise to eat the…
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