On the 10th of March, the Muslim community will begin the one-month religious holiday of Ramadan when they focus on fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Within Locate a Locum’s pharmacy and optometry networks, we wanted to share some guidance on how to support colleagues celebrating Ramadan.

Tips for colleagues:

• Make time for your colleagues to perform their prayers.

• Be mindful of the effects fasting can have on colleagues’ physical and emotional well-being.

• Understand that colleagues may not be as energetic or talkative as usual - it takes time for the body to adjust.

• Be supportive of colleagues - Ramadan isn’t only about fasting, it’s a time to come together as a community, support those in need and reflect on your life.

For locums:

• Avoid heavy, fried foods and instead opt for something a little healthier. Meals including vegetables, salads and fruit will be beneficial.

• Long hours without food or drink can mean that it is more difficult to stay hydrated. So, make sure you drink lots of water at sehri and then come sundown, eat slowly, and include fluid-rich foods such as yoghurt, soup, cucumber and watermelon to help you stay hydrated.

• Ensure you are getting enough sleep especially when you’re waking for pre-dawn meals and prayers. A short nap can help refresh you but any longer than 40 minutes and you are likely to go into a deeper sleep and wake up groggy.

From the team at Locate a Locum, we wish everyone celebrating Ramadan a peaceful, restorative and fulfilling time.