Because no one likes losing out on sleep…
Yay to more sunlight. Boo to being sleep deprived. When we “spring forward” we’re doing more than adjusting the time on our clocks, we’re essentially messing with our body’s internal clock too. This year’s Daylight Saving Time falls on Sunday, March 8 which means that we’re going to have to give up one hour of valuable rest to enjoy a bit more of the sun’s precious light during the evening. Check out these helpful tips to assure that this DST won’t get the best of you!
1. Start prepping a few days early.
It’s never too late to make up for lost time! Plan on going to bed (or if you’re a morning person, waking up) at least 15 to 30 minutes earlier leading up to DST so that by the time Sunday comes around, you’ll be well-rested and essentially adjusted. The goal is to incrementally get your body ready for the ‘big hit’ by losing a small of sleep each day so that the hour difference isn’t so drastic.
2. Stick to your regular scheduled programming.
If you normally go to the gym at around six in the morning or start to get ready for bed around nine-thirty in the evening — continue to do just that! You may find yourself a little groggy and tired when you first wake up or once the day starts winding down because your body doesn’t recognize the shift. As long as you power through it, it’ll catch up to speed.
3. Get some natural light in your life when you wake up.
Our circadian rhythm (the biological process that helps our bodies understand when we should be awake or asleep) thrives on sunlight. Light essentially signals our bodies to decrease the production of melatonin which is the hormone that helps promote sleep. Exposing your body to sunlight is pretty much a wake-up call for your body to get the day going – just be sure to try and avoid it later in the evening until you’re fully adjusted to the time change!
4. Skip the caffeine and booze.
Allowing your body to naturally adjust instead of downing that second coffee that you think you need will work in your favor. Swap out that caffeinated drink with a natural energy booster like healthy proteins and veggies, vitalizing exercises, or essential oils like peppermint or rosemary. The same goes for falling asleep; pass up on the wine and spritz some calming lavender on your pillow instead!
5. Have your wind-down routine on lock.
It might take a little more encouragement for your body to feel at rest after the time change, so make sure your bedroom is the ultimate haven for rest. Promote a good night’s sleep with a clutter-free space, blackout curtains, and putting your phone on silent. Oh, and try your best to resist scrolling through your timeline before hitting the hay!
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