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As Yom Kippur (the Jewish Day of Atonement) begins tonight, my fellow Jews and I will start dreading the inevitable period of 24 hours of fasting. Depending on the level of observance, many of us will not eat or drink to spend the day focused on atoning for the year’s previous sins.

Seems difficult, doesn’t it?  You have no idea.

You really never realize how many TV commercials advertise for delicious food until you haven’t had anything to eat for 16 hours.  It makes Taco Bell look like dinner at the Ritz.

Going on my 11^th year of fasting for Yom Kippur, I have developed the ultimate technique of making it through the day without even thinking about food.  Follow these five steps to make your fast more manageable:

1.  Sleep in as late as you possibly can.

Depending on whether or not you attend services on the morning of Yom Kippur, shut the blinds, put some noise-cancelling earplugs in and sleep in as late as you can.  Maybe even take the clock out of your room so you can’t tell what time it is.

2.  Don’t go anywhere near the kitchen.

Seems like a no brainer to me, but if you haven’t eaten for an extended period of time, suddenly those left overs from three days ago look like they’re sent from heaven.  By the 18^th hour, even dog food looks appetizing, so stay away from the kitchen.

3.  Take your mind off of food.

Easier said than done, I know, but watch a movie, play some board games, read a book or knit a sweater.  Just do anything you can to keep your mind occupied for a while.

4.  Take a nap.

No joke, this is my go to move on Yom Kippur.  Seeing that the rest of my family cannot fast due to blood sugar issues, I will isolate myself from them and sleep until I can’t sleep anymore.  My family knows that I will be down for the count from about 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM without fail.  It’s easy to do when you’re already borderline on passing out.

5.  And most importantly…

Stay away from people who aren’t fasting.  Everyone has that one friend that will come over and rub in your face how good their breakfast and lunch were that day.  Avoid them like the plague.

Follow these steps and the most anticipated meal of the Jewish calendar that occurs after the fast is up will be there in no time at all.

Eric Mally is a contributor for the Quicken Loans Zing Blog.  Stay connected with us on our Facebook page and our Twitter page to find out all the ways we’re Engineered to Amaze.

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