Beauty Diaries: How I’m Handling the Hanger This Ramadan

From sahur hacks to good habits, Beauty Editor Redzhanna shares how she’s keeping the hanger away this fasting month in February’s edition of Beauty Diaries.

Selamat berpuasa to all who observe! It has been an absolutely crazy week with Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year, and Ramadan all coinciding, but somehow we’ve all managed to come out the other side in one piece. 

Now, on the first day of Ramadan, it’s time to lock in and gear up for the most sacred month of the year for Muslims. For the next 30 days, you’ll of course want to keep up with your prayers and fasts, but you’ll also want to practise patience and kindness in spades. Unfortunately, fasting comes with its own individual challenges, and in my case (and I’m sure many others’), it comes with a hefty helping of hanger, too. 

The last thing you want to do in this month of peace and joy is snap at your friends and family or bring a bad vibe to your moreh, so to help you navigate the very messy and big feelings that may come with not eating and drinking all day, I’ve got just the guide for you.

READ: How To Keep Your Mood Up When Fasting for Ramadan

Ahead, here are five foolproof hacks and habits that I’ve adopted to help me handle the hanger this Ramadan 2026:

#1: Stay hydrated with one easy mocktail

For me, the hardest thing about fasting is not being able to drink water, as I am sure is true for many. The effects that dehydration can have on the body are well-documented—headaches, dizziness, and irritability, for a start—which is why it’s important to make sure you’re nourishing yourself correctly to optimise hydration. I’ve covered general tips on how to stay hydrated while fasting before, but one thing that I’ve found that has helped wonders with managing my thirst (and, in turn, my hanger) is a simple little mocktail.

A tablespoon of fibre-rich chia seeds in a litre of electrolyte-rich coconut water is all it takes to keep you hydrated throughout the day. I drink this even outside of fasting month when my body is feeling sluggish, and it peps me right back up. Just sip on it through buka and supplement it with your usual water intake! 

Note: The texture can be a bit hard to swallow, so if you’re not a fan of chia seeds, try grinding them in a spice grinder or blender before adding them to the coconut water. According to Dr Karan Rajan, it’s actually better for hydration and absorption!

#2: Eat well and smart

 

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A big misconception is that bingeing during buka and sahur will help to keep you full while fasting. Unfortunately, satiety has more to do with what you’re eating than how much you’re eating. So, what’s a girl to do? 

I’ve found that incorporating more protein, fruits and vegetables into my Ramadan diet has made a huge difference in how I feel throughout the day. I’m no longer actively hungry, nor am I barking at people because I want a snack. Yay!

To make sure you’re properly nourished throughout the day, load up on foods that will keep you full and won’t spike your blood sugar. It doesn’t even have to be gross gym-bro food, either! My go-to sahur is a simple tuna mayo rice bowl loaded with poached eggs, seaweed furikake, and roast veggies. It takes 10 minutes to whip up and tastes great, and the best part is that you can just swap out the proteins and toppings according to your preferences.

#3: Keep up with light exercise

 

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When it comes to fasting, movement is so important. It’s tempting to spend all day in bed, napping until iftar comes (trust me, I have been known to be very guilty of doing this), but it’s actually the worst thing you can do for your body, your sleep cycle and your mood regulation. Instead, make a conscious effort to get your steps in. Whether you’re doing a 20-minute walk around your neighbourhood pre-buka or you’re stretching for 15 minutes, just get some exercise in.

If you find it hard to motivate yourself to work out (fret not, we all do), then get your friends on board. Think group badminton or duet Pilates classes—I’ve found that getting friends in on the action helps to keep me accountable and also makes working out fun. TL;DR: Movement during Ramadan really helps to energise you and stop the fog from settling in.

#4: Take a shower

Sometimes your day just doesn’t go your way, and the hanger sets in full force. In times like these, I make sure to cool off—literally. Hopping in the shower is a quick way to reset the senses and refresh your mind when the going gets tough. 

I cannot substantiate this with science whatsoever, but in my experience, I find that somehow a shower helps me to keep the hunger pangs and mood dips at bay. Plus, having to dry my hair gives me an excuse to pass the time until iftar rolls around…

#5: Pray anyway, but especially when you’re fading

If all else fails and you’re about to explode, take a step back, take your wudhu and pray. Of course, the five daily prayers are non-negotiable, but if you’re really struggling with your mood, it can be super helpful to just take a step back and do a few Sunnah prayers. After all, if anything can get your priorities back in order, it’s taking a moment to reconnect with yourself and God.

At the end of it all, the most important thing to acknowledge is that it is ultimately a privilege and a blessing to be able to fast and celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan. So, if you catch yourself feeling grumbly at any point while fasting, just try to remind yourself that at least you’ll be able to break your fast come maghrib time.

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