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The first pangs of hunger hit just a few hours into the fast, a sharp reminder that Ramadan is as much a physical challenge as a spiritual one. For many, the holy month unfolds in a cycle of dawn and dusk, discipline and indulgence, exhaustion and rejuvenation. Yet beyond the rituals of suhoor and iftar lies a subtler, less discussed layer: the pursuit of wellness. How do we sustain energy, clarity, and emotional balance when our days are defined by restraint?
Maintaining this balance calls for mindful strategies that nourish both body and mind. From structuring meals to managing sleep, movement, and mental health, small intentional choices can make a profound difference. We’ve curated a practical guide for you to navigate the month with resilience and vitality.
stay hydrated
Hydration is just as vital as the food on your plate. Dehydration can sap energy, trigger headaches, and leave you feeling lightheaded, making the hours between suhoor and iftar particularly challenging. Electrolytes can be a simple yet effective solution. Humantra’s Ramadan pack, Share the Sip in mango flavor, offers 31 sachets, plus one extra to gift, echoing the month’s spirit of generosity. Taken at Suhoor and Iftar, these sachets help maintain hydration, support mental focus, and reduce fatigue, all while staying free from sugar and artificial colours and fortified with Vitamins C, B12, and zinc.
Move With Balance
Figuring out a time to stay active during Ramadan is a struggle, but working out an hour to 90 minutes before Iftar can help maximise the metabolic benefits and minimise the risk of dehydration. You can also exercise while fasting, it helps boost fat oxidation, improve endurance, and burn stored fat for energy, and ending your workout right before Iftar allows for immediate recovery and replenishment.
Dubai peeps can join in the Ramadan Games running from February 20 to March 11, across six locations. UAE residents have the opportunity to participate in 12 different sports, including obstacle races, tennis, and calisthenics, and 25 competitions for a chance to win part of AED 700,000 (perfect for those who only work out if they’re being paid.)
If you’re more of a runner, join FRAME for a pre-Iftar 5K run from 5 PM on Saturdays in Jumeirah and Wednesdays in D3, and a special pre-Suhoor hike at 11 PM in Ras Al Khaima on February 28.
Step Outside
Columbia Hike Society helps us solve a major issue of staying indoors in Ramadan. Often tired and unsure of what to do, we tend to spend more time inside when fasting, and by the second or third week of Ramadan, we can get a serious case of cabin fever. The initiative goes public on March 7 and 14, but the trails of Jebel Jais have already been lit up with solar-powered lights, ready to welcome people to the outdoors, even after sunset.
mindful Moments
Long days of fasting and working can give us little time to recharge. Ramadan is a month of recentring ourselves, and rest and reflection can come in prayer, meditation, and even low-impact exercises like yoga. For something a little more special, SIRO at One Za’abeel offers you a chance to “Reset, reflect, and recharge” with their Recovery Lab that hosts a range of vitality, healing, and performance treatments and state-of-the-art recovery technologies.
Kindness in ACTION
Charity is at the heart of the holy month. Beyond fasting, it’s about connection, community, and intention. Whether you ‘pay it forward’ with Humantra, hold the door open, or donate money, no act is too small. Various brands and organisations across the UAE are dedicated to giving back, and supporting these brands is an easy way to support promises of kindness.
Fadie Musallet, who you may know from Dubai Bling, launched FadieCakes last year in collaboration with Chef Nouel Catis, the chocolatier behind the iconic Dubai Chocolate. The bakery’s announcement included a promise that for every cake bought, one is donated to a labour worker, because everyone deserves sweetness. Support this purpose with their new Ramadan-exclusive “Honey, I’m Home” bundt cake.
The Giving Family, another initiative by Fadie, is dedicated to providing weekly meals to labourers throughout the year, and in Ramadan, it works hard to provide meals daily. Volunteer when you can to help distribute food or support partners such as Costa. Even choosing to break your fast at Rove contributes, as each Iftar purchased helps provide one for a labourer.
Donate as little as AED 10 to Emirates Red Crescent, and help provide a Ramadan food basket to someone in need.
