March 14 marks the start of daylight savings time this year. This is the practice of setting the clocks forward one hour from standard time during spring and one hour backward in fall. It was said that this concept originated from a New Zealand scientist named George Vernon Hudson who recommended a two-hour time shift in October and March back in 1895. But it wasn’t practiced until 1908 when Ontario, Canada first set their clocks one hour forward in July. Later in 1918, the United States followed.
It can be difficult to adjust to a new time schedule as spring approaches. So, here are some daylight saving coping ideas that you can definitely try this year.
#1 Sleep Early
To help your body adjust to the time change, start your nighttime routine 15 minutes earlier in the days leading up to the start of daylight savings time. This is especially beneficial for small children, who are more sensitive to the effects of the time change compared to adults. Live your day based on this adjusted schedule.
#2 Stick to your Schedule
If you’re used to getting up at 7 AM, set your alarm for that time, even though your body will tell you it’s 8 AM. This includes weekends as well! Sleeping in for an extra hour can make you feel more rested but it can cause long term difficulties for you in terms of your sleeping and waking up pattern for the rest of the week. Consistency in sleeping schedule is the best way to enhance sleep and wake functions that will allow you to feel more rested for the rest of the year. It is far more important to get up at the same time every day than it is to go to bed at the same time every night. On the first day of daylight savings, try to get up at your regular time schedule.
#3 Eat and Drink Right
To help your body prepare for bedtime, eat dinner earlier in the evening. Try to avoid eating spicy or fatty foods, especially as you get closer to bedtime. They can cause indigestion and sleeplessness. Also avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks later in the day to make it easier to fall asleep.
#4 Lessen Screen Time Exposure
While television, tablets, and phones may help you unwind for the evening, they can also stimulate your brain, making falling asleep more difficult. At least two hours before bedtime, avoid using hand-held screens and computer displays, and at least an hour before bedtime, avoid watching television.
#5 Savor the Longer Nights
One of the best things about spring and daylight saving is that there is more light in the evenings. Sunlight aids in the natural resetting of your body clock. Allowing natural light into your bedroom in the morning can also help you wake up more alert.
At this time of the year, having an extra hour of daylight can make some people happy and others sad, but we can’t deny that losing that one hour of time can be detrimental to anyone. However, we must remember that there are always ways to cope with it in order to avoid having an adverse effect on an individual’s productivity, concentration, physical and mental health. Let’s enjoy the season with a positive happy outlook, and together we spring forward!
