Khaberni - Many employees and workers during Ramadan tend to request a delay in morning work hours, believing that fasting reduces concentration and makes the morning an unsuitable time for mental production.
However, scientific research and recent 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 suggest that fasting can affect the brain through complex biological mechanisms linked to changing energy sources in the body and stimulating important neural factors, notably Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which plays a key role in memory, learning, and neural flexibility.
A recent scientific review published in the journal Principles and Practice of Clinical Research concluded that some patterns of intermittent fasting may raise BDNF levels in some adults, but the evidence is still varied and requires larger trials to confirm the cognitive benefits.
Also, a recent systematic review in the journal BMC Nutrition suggests that metabolic shifts during fasting or reducing carbohydrates may activate cellular pathways associated with the stimulation of neural 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 neuronal 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 constant, meaning that the 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 approach intersects with the concept of "Deep Work" introduced by American researcher Cal Newport in his famous book "Deep Work," where he states that cognitive success does not depend on the number of work hours, but on the ability to work in periods of deep focus without distractions.
Newport points out that the ability to deeply focus has become rare and valuable in the digital age, and that dividing the day into intense focus periods can double the quality of output in less time.
When to work in Ramadan to achieve highest productivity?
Productivity experts suggest allocating the period from dawn to noon for the most challenging mental tasks such as analysis, research, and decision-making, while the period after noon can be reserved for less complex administrative and routine tasks.
Practical steps to enhance focus in 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 rest).
- Dividing large tasks into deep work sessions instead of intermittent 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.
