It’s hard to recall a Yom Kippur in Israel that did not include hearing of someone fainting from dehydration. This year Yom Kippur will be a little different. The Coronavirus pandemic is the cause for a lot of changes in society with the most significant change this holiday season being the davening in shuls. This year Israel is not going to be in a lockdown but we still need to be very cautious.
This year Yom Kippur is on September 16th and while the heatwave is over and the weather is cooling down a bit, it is still hot in Israel. The heat is of particular concern this year as many people will be Praying outdoors while wearing a mask. Wearing a mask outdoors (unless in your own property) is mandatory in Israel, and those who are caught not wearing a mask correctly can be fined significantly. Wearing a mask, especially in the hear causes people to sweat a lot and feel hot- but there are things you can do to make the experience more comfortable.
When a person fasts, everyday behavior results in a loss of fluid that is not being replaced in the course of the day. When you talk, pray, breathe, sweat, and move, the body depletes its glycogen stores from muscles and the liver — that's the carbohydrate stores that provide quick energy. Then it starts breaking down protein within muscles and fat to produce energy. During that process, the body's metabolism slows down in order to conserve energy. This also explains why people do not keep any weight off from a fast! Meanwhile, hormonal reactions will fluctuate.
Preventative measures to avoid DehydrationThe very real dangers of dehydration can even lead to low blood pressure and cardiac arrest! Here are EMA Care guidelines for safe fasting in Israel:
The most important thing is not to put yourself at risk! The most important thing is to stay healthy and not have an emergency. Going to the hospital nowadays is very risky because of Coronavirus, so we want to minimize the amount of people in the hospital. Taking care of your safety comes first!
EMA Care wishes you a meaningful Yom Kippur and safe fast day. Remember - by taking care of your physical well-being, you will be able to achieve the spiritual goals of this very holy day.
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