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| The Psychology Lecturer of UMM says that Ramadan can influence humans psychologically. (Photo by Septi PR of UMM) |
Fasting during Ramadan has a myriad of benefits. It increases body endurance and human psychological and mental resistance, as asserted by the Psychology Lecturer of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Ahmad Sulaiman, S. Psi., M. Ed. In his perspective, Ramadan can impact human's psychological beings because when fasting, we refrain, reduce calorie consumption, and postpone regular eating schedules. These things can be done anytime as long as Ramadan lasts. Due to that, one of the psychological impacts of fasting is making us more discipline.
"In addition, because fasting reduces energy intake, someone must save their energy and do efficient things because it can also impact daily activities," says the lecturer known as Mada.
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He delivers that fasting, which forces oneself to refrain from desire and lust, can help enhance self-controlling and social sensitivity. On the other hand, fasting guides an individual to express their negative feelings more healthier. Indirectly, fasting demands humans to manage their emotions to avoid overreacting, like being temperamental or getting stuck in grief.
"Fasting can also train our empathy towards fellow humans. This is the expected psychological impact in Islam. It is hoped that this growing sense of empathy can encourage us to do other altruistic things, to intend to have a charitable spirit, or to help each other. As a result, we can be more frequent in spending our property and give charity in the way of Allah and have the spirit of giving and sharing with each other,"
So that the benefits of fasting from a psychological perspective can be felt optimally, Mada thinks that activity planning during Ramadan should exist, including setting clear targets. For example, we can participate in an Islamic assembly, stay temporarily in the mosque, and follow an Islamic discussion. In addition to that, activity planning looks at how we spend the morning time.
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"Whether we continue to pray, recite the Qur'an, perform dhikr, or prefer to rest or sleep, all must have obvious targets," he says.
Lastly, Mada suggests maintaining those good habits although Ramadan has ended. Primarily, the commitment to do them during Ramadan is not often consistent in the following months.
"One of the tips to maintain the habits is to start from the simple thing. Then, it can continue gradually, like reciting a few verses of the Qur'an. After we feel comfortable with it, we can recite more verses and even more pages," Mada ends. (imh/sep/wil)
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