Khaberni - Many employees and workers during Ramadan tend to request delays in morning work hours, believing that fasting reduces concentration and makes the morning an inappropriate time for mental productivity.
However, scientific research and modern ideas in time management suggest that this belief may not be accurate, and that the morning hours may represent a golden window for concentration 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, notably Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which plays a major role in memory, learning, and neural flexibility.
A recent scientific review published in the journal Principles and Practice of Clinical Research concluded that certain patterns of intermittent fasting may increase BDNF levels in some adults, but the evidence is still varied and requires larger trials to confirm cognitive benefits.
A recent systematic review in BMC Nutrition suggests that metabolic shifts during fasting or reducing carbohydrates may activate cellular pathways linked to the stimulation of neurotrophic growth factors such as BDNF, which may explain some of the positive neural effects of fasting.
Animal studies have shown that intermittent fasting may enhance the formation of new neural cells in the hippocampus area associated with learning and memory, through activating multiple neural signaling pathways.
However, other human studies indicate that the effect of fasting on BDNF levels is not consistent, meaning that cognitive benefits may vary from person to person and be 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" (Deep Work) introduced by researcher Cal Newport in his famous book "Deep Work," where he asserts that cognitive success does not depend on the number of working hours, but on the ability to work in periods of deep focus without distractions.
Newport points out that the ability for deep focus has become rare and valuable in the digital age, and that dividing the day into intense focus periods can double the quality of production in less time.
When to work in Ramadan to achieve the highest productivity?
Productivity experts suggest allocating the period from dawn until noon for the most difficult mental tasks such as analysis, research, and decision-making, while the period after the afternoon can be reserved for routine administrative tasks that are less complex.
Practical steps to enhance focus in Ramadan
Turning off digital notifications in the first two hours of work.
Working in short focus sessions such as the "Pomodoro" technique (25 minutes focus and 5 minutes rest).
Breaking down large tasks into deep sessions instead of fragmented work.
Experts believe that fasting reduces the body's preoccupation with digestion processes, which may provide greater mental space for focus, analysis, and decision-making, especially in the early hours of the day.
