WE'RE now in the first week of Ramadan. Many would already be in the swing of things; getting used to the routines of waking up an hour or so before dawn to have sahur, and going without food and drink until sunset.
But some people might still be struggling with this routine. Adapting to new timings can be challenging. It doesn't help that a caregiver's routines and duties throughout the day, for example, can be physically and mentally draining.
The fatigue just depletes your energy and you get brain fog during the day, not to mention potentially "hangry" (hungry and angry). A caregiver who's constantly on call needs to be alert most of the time.
This is something you need to manage because you don't want to unintentionally lash out at the ailing loved one under your care. If you feel this coming, walk away. Get someone else to step in. Wash your face or maybe even take a cold shower to cool off. A nap might help.
You may want to take a step back and objectively review your routines and what you eat, along with your sleep patterns and rest hours. You might need to make major adjustments and drop some chores or activities.
BE SMART
Preparing and cooking meals can take quite a bit of time, depending on the menu you've planned. If you don't have assistance, make your life simpler by cooking in big batches and freezing them in ready-to-eat portions. All you need to do later is to defrost it and heat it up.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, the food business and delivery service have thrived and grown into something that provides convenience for most of us. If there's just the two of you, it might be more economical and hassle-free to order your meals and have them delivered. There's also the Ramadan bazaars where you can get all sorts of food.
You just need to be careful about what you buy and where you order from because hygiene can be an issue. The food's freshness is also sometimes questionable. As long as the supplier is known to you and if it's of good quality, you should be able to rely on them to tick off one chore from your list.
The last thing you want is to deal with a case of food poisoning, whether it's you or your loved one. Either way is bad news, and added work and stress.
MOOD AFFECTERS
Even though ordering food can mean that you'll be buying fewer things at the market, you'd still have to buy basic groceries like fruits and other snacks. Choose wisely.
This is where you can choose to consume food and drinks that will nourish you, give you energy and keep you full longer. Avoid overly processed food that contains a lot of sugar, artificial ingredients and flavourings. These can contribute to excess thirst, hunger pangs and irritability.
There are so many articles that report about how food and water intake during fasting, especially what you eat/drink and when, can wreak havoc on your energy levels and mood. Caffeine is the other known culprit that contributes to your mood, especially if you take it in large amounts or are sensitive to it.
The sudden absence of caffeine in your system can make you grouchy. Caffeine is also a natural diuretic and promotes fluid loss, which contributes and further exacerbates your discomfort.
You'll need to figure this out and come to a happy compromise — whether to have it when you break your fast, after that, or for sahur. Whatever you decide, ensure that you drink enough water to flush it out.
GET ORGANISED
Breaking fast with fruits or any food with high water content is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Finding the right balance of what's required of you during Ramadan, together with the work that you do, is the key to keeping your equilibrium.
If it's about sorting out your day and routines, it shouldn't be too hard to strike that balance. After all, if the loved one in your care is a constant factor, you already know what you're dealing with.
Recognise triggers so you can anticipate what's coming and practice ways to calm yourself during stressful encounters. And then it's all about planning. Things can still go wrong despite the best-laid plans, but because you've anticipated the possibilities, you'll be less flustered when your plans get derailed.
Getting into the state of mindfulness means you've taken many things into consideration. Being organised means you can do things that also nourish your soul during this holy month. The time saved can be channelled towards your rest time and managing care for your loved ones.
[The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.]
Putri Juneita Johari volunteers for the Special Community Society of Ampang. She can be reached at [email protected].
