The Morning of Ramadan May Be the Secret to Productivity: What Do Scientific Studies Say?

SadaNews - Many employees and workers during the month of Ramadan tend to request a delay in morning working hours, believing that fasting reduces concentration and makes the morning an unsuitable time for mental productivity.

However, scientific research and modern ideas in time management suggest that this belief may be inaccurate, and that morning hours may represent a golden window for focus and making complex decisions.

What Does Science Say About Fasting and the Brain?

Scientific studies indicate that fasting can affect the brain through complex biological mechanisms related to changing energy sources in the body and stimulating important neural factors, the most notable of which is the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays a key role in memory, learning, and neuroplasticity.

A recent scientific review published in the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research journal concluded that certain intermittent fasting patterns may raise BDNF levels in some adults, but the evidence remains mixed and needs larger trials to confirm cognitive benefits.

A recent systematic review in BMC Nutrition suggests that metabolic shifts during fasting or reduced carbohydrates may activate cellular pathways associated with the stimulation of neurotrophic factors like BDNF, which may explain some of the positive neural effects of fasting.

Studies on animals have shown that intermittent fasting may enhance the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus associated with learning and memory by activating multiple neural signaling pathways.

However, other human studies suggest that the effect of fasting on BDNF levels is not consistent, meaning that cognitive benefits may vary from person to person and are influenced by factors such as diet, physical activity, and overall health.

Fasting and "Deep Work"

This scientific proposition intersects with the concept of "Deep Work" proposed by American researcher Cal Newport in his famous book "Deep Work," where he emphasizes that cognitive success does not depend on the number of working hours, but on the ability to work during periods of deep focus without distractions.

Newport indicates that the ability for deep focus has become rare and valuable in the digital age, and that dividing the day into periods of intensive focus can multiply the quality of production in less time.

When Should You Work During Ramadan to Achieve Maximum Productivity?

Productivity experts suggest dedicating the period from dawn until noon for the most challenging mental tasks such as analysis, research, and decision-making, while the post-afternoon period can be allocated for routine and less complex administrative tasks.

Practical Steps to Enhance Focus During Ramadan

Turning off digital notifications in the first two hours of work.

Working in short focus sessions like the "Pomodoro Technique" (25 minutes of focus and 5 minutes of break).

Breaking down large tasks into deep sessions instead of intermittent work.

Experts believe that fasting reduces the body's engagement in digestion processes, which may allow for greater mental space for concentration, analysis, and decision-making, especially in the early hours of the day.

Source: Al Jazeera