No age of mankind has ever seen stress as we face today, especially entrepreneurs. Mainly, because pressures are coming from every facet of their lives. This exposes them to many risks; the time they give to their families gets restricted, dealing with relationship issues and along with the innate challenges faced when beginning a new venture. In dealing with these battles, the worst blow comes to their own health and well-being. The fact that becomes the main contributor to their deteriorating health is a bad diet.
These conditions lead them to stress eating and other eating disorders. Taking no breakfast, eating junk food, and drinking a lot of caffeine are the key ingredients of stress eating. This binge-eating causes rapid obesity leading to irreversible damage to the overall human body system, particularly cardiovascular diseases. This pattern of binge eating has roots in their psychological distress rather than natural human nutrition requirement.
There is a number of diet plans and other weight loss solutions available in the market. These plans require a lot of effort and money. However, few of them are actually working with very little success rate. The main focus has to be to improve the food lifestyle of these high-powered individuals with limited time on their hands.
In the unsure waters of entrepreneurship, it is only wise to seek guidance from the beacon of light himself; the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). From his life, we can draw various solutions to these problems.
First, Keep the diet simple. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) used to have one type of food at a time and preferred not to mix the foods – this approach would naturally enable an individual to track the eating behavior. Secondly, always have breakfast – the Prophet (P.B.U.H) preferred fruits in the breakfast e.g. dates: “He who eats seven ‘Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them.” (Bukhari 5445)
Then there is a very strong emphasis on the consumption of milk for everyone. In the light of the Holy Quran: “We give you drink from what is in their bellies – between excretion and blood – pure milk, palatable to drinkers.”
Lastly and most importantly, always eat less than your appetite. Never fill your stomach with food rather always keep some room to breathe and that is the big secret of a healthy life. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said:
\”The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink, and one third with air.\”
And, “The believer eats in one stomach whilst the kaafir eats in seven.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5081) and Muslim (2060).
Like in all matters of life, the life of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is an example proven and undisputed in wisdom and prudence. Similarly, the stated hadiths are strong references and guidelines for improving daily eating habits. Any individual aspiring to stay healthy needs to understand the importance of eating less and as per the requirement. Overeating is strictly
prohibited in Islam:
“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.’’
Good health is the greatest blessing of the Almighty and to live a healthy life, healthy food, and prudent eating habits are the key. A strong mind and body require mindful choices of the type, quantity, and timing of consuming food. Some wisdom, understanding and the sunnah of the greatest man who ever lived (P.B.U.H) can do wonders that would last a lifetime.
