By Zainab Al-Mashoor

KUWAIT: As Ramadan, the month of peace and worship, unfolds, it brings both challenges and opportunities for smokers in the workplace. Traditionally, employees spend an average of 45 to 60 minutes or more per working day on smoking breaks, reducing productivity and hindering task completion. However, some smokers have found unexpected boosts in their productivity levels in Ramadan, sharing their insights with Kuwait Times.

Hassan, who has been smoking since his teenage years, initially anticipated a decrease in productivity during Ramadan due to the absence of smoking breaks. Surprisingly, he discovered that refraining from breaks actually enhanced his focus and productivity. Despite experiencing headaches during the fasting period in the first few days, Hassan remained committed to his tasks, recognizing Ramadan as an opportunity to consider quitting smoking altogether.

Conversely, Aymen admitted feeling drained during Ramadan and prefers minimizing interactions to avoid stress. He confessed that prolonged focus without smoking is challenging, illustrating the struggle some smokers face during fasting hours.

Amanullah shared a different perspective, acknowledging the initial difficulty of managing stress without cigarettes. However, he found that abstaining from smoking improved his patience and enabled him to handle workplace challenges more effectively. Amanullah added he can spend 4 straight hours of productivity but may experience occasional lapses in concentration after that. Amanullah’s commitment to stress management without smoking highlights the transformative potential of Ramadan.

Meanwhile, Mohammed chose to escape the chaos and opted to work from home during the month of Ramadan to manage his stress levels more efficiently. Recognizing his need for occasional cigarette breaks to destress, Mohammed prefers working at home, allowing him to focus on tasks without distractions. Lastly, Abdelrahman reflected on his decision to quit smoking months before Ramadan. Despite the initial challenges, he expressed gratitude for the significant improvements in his work performance since quitting. By eliminating the stress and headaches associated with smoking, Abdelrahman experienced a newfound sense of clarity and efficiency in his work.