After weeks of hibernating and spending time loathing the frigid winter conditions, Daylight Saving Time (DST) has finally come to our rescue to deliver a much-needed reprieve. On Sunday, March 12, at 2 a.m., we’ll be gifted with the opportunity to reset our physical (and internal) clocks and “spring forward” into the season ahead. And sure, we’ll initially lose out on an hour of sleep that day, but what we’re gaining in extended daylight and recuperation is well worth the exchange.
Daylight Saving Time is a seasonal adjustment that can feel like temporary jet lag. It generally affects our sleep patterns, mood, and productivity and can throw off our daily routines. While the change may leave us feeling groggy and disoriented while we shake the sleep from our eyes, a little bit of provocativeness can help us better ease into this new time change to make the most of our days.
When DST begins this year, our bodies will feel it first. We all have an internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, that regulates our sleep-wake cycle, hormone production, and other bodily functions. When we "spring forward" and lose an hour of sleep, our circadian rhythm is disrupted, and our bodies may struggle to adjust to the new schedule. This can result in feelings of fatigue, moodiness, and difficulty concentrating in the first few days of the time shift. Thankfully, with longer and brighter days ahead of us, adjusting to the change can be a smooth ride with a little preparation.
Spring Forward: 5 Ways To Prepare For Daylight Saving Time
In the case of gradually settling into the new time change, we’ve got you covered. To kick off daylight saving, we’ve put together a few tips to get you prepped to spring forward and get ahead of the clock.
1. Make Small Adjustments Now:
If you’re wondering when the best time to start bracing yourself for the time change is, the answer is: right now. The more leeway you give yourself to gradually adjust your sleep schedule and daily routine to the time change, the better. Adjust your bedtime and meal time by 15-30 minutes each night leading up to the time shift to slowly give your body the notice that a new schedule is on the horizon. It may feel like you’re body will already know it’s coming, but any extra prep you give yourself, your body will thank you for.
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2. Start Your Day With the Sun:
When daylight saving begins, how you start your day will make all the difference. Early exposure to sunlight can help regulate our circadian rhythms and act as a great way to get your body to adapt to the new range of daylight and time change. Going on a morning walk, sunbathing at sunrise, or simply opening up your blinds to let natural light in can be a few easy ways to get your internal clock reset and ready to take on the day.
3. Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine:
The best days typically start the night before. So when it comes to daylight saving time, getting your bedtime routine on lock can signal to your body that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Try to establish a relaxing bedtime routine that includes activities such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing deep breathing or meditation. This can help you fall asleep more easily and adjust to the new time change.
4. Awaken Your Mind and Body:
Embrace the power of daylight saving as an opportunity to revitalize your fitness routine and mindfulness practices. This new season is an amazing opening to awaken your senses as your body shakes off the frost, as well as to warm up your body from the inside out. So tap into it. By prioritizing regular exercise and incorporating self-care throughout your day, you'll not only elevate your physical health but align with the change that’s in the air. Remember to allow yourself ample time to wind down before bedtime, meditate, and let the magic of being in the present do wonders on both your body and mind.
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5. Tweak Your Eating Schedule:
When it comes to Daylight Saving Time prep, even the smallest adjustments to your dinner time can make a difference. Remember, this time change is tricky and can make us feel foggy in our approach to the way we normally incorporate our habits and routines. So give yourself the advantage by adjusting your dinnertime three days in advance. By doing so, you can help your body smoothly adapt to the shift in time.
Small changes can make a big difference in how you feel, so take control of your habits and be mindful of when and how you nourish yourself.
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While an evolution is a natural progression that happens as businesses grow, a rebrand is a total change. Lola tells xoNecole, "A total rebrand is necessary when a business’s current reputation/what it’s known for is at odds with the business’s vision or direction.
"For example, if you’ve fundamentally changed what your product is and does, it’s likely that your brand is out of alignment with the business. Or, if you find your company is developing a reputation that doesn’t serve it, it might be time to pump the brakes and figure out what needs to change.
She continues, "Sometimes you’ll see companies (especially startups) announce a name change that comes with updated messaging, visuals, etc. That usually means their vision has changed or expanded, and their previous branding was too narrow/couldn’t encompass everything they planned to do."
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The Brand Doula was born in 2019, and its focus is on putting "the experiences, goals, and needs of women of color founders first," as well as brands with "culture-shifting missions."
According to Lola, culture-shifting is "the act of influencing dominant behavior, beliefs, or experiences in a community or group (ideally, for the better)."
"At The Brand Doula, we work with companies and leaders that set out to challenge the status quo in their industries and communities. They’re here to make an impact that sends ripples across the market," she says.
"We help the problem solvers of the world — the ones who aren't satisfied with 'this is how it's always been' and instead ask 'how could this be better?' Our clients build for impact, reimagining tools, systems, and ways of living to move cultures forward."
The Brand Doula has worked with many brands, including Too Collective, to assist with their collaboration with Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty and Balanced Black Girl for a "refresh," aka rebrand. For businesses looking to rebrand, Lola shares four essential steps.
1. Do an audit of your current brand experience — what’s still relevant and what needs to change? Reflect on why you’re doing the rebrand in the first place and what success would look like after relaunching.
2. Tackle the overall strategy first — before you start redesigning logos and websites, align on a new vision for your brand. How do you want your company to be positioned moving forward? Has your audience changed at all? Will your company have a fresh personality and voice?
3. Bring your audience along the journey — there’s no need to move in secret. Inviting your current audience into the journey can actually help them feel more connected to and invested in your story, enough to stick around as changes are being made.
4. Keep business moving — one of my biggest pet peeves is when companies take down their websites as soon as they have the idea to rebrand, then have a Coming Soon page up for months! You lose a lot of momentum and interest by doing that. If you’re still in business and generating income, continue to operate while you work on your rebrand behind the scenes. You don’t want to cut existing customers off out of the blue, and you also don’t want so much downtime that folks forget your business exists or start looking for other solutions.
While determining whether the rebrand was successful may take a few months, Lola says a clear sign that it is unsuccessful is negative feedback from your target audience. "Customers are typically more vocal about what they don’t like more than what they do like," she says.
But some good signs to look out for are improvements in engagement with your marketing, positive reviews, press and increase in retention, and overall feeling aligned with the new branding.
For more information about Lola and The Brand Doula, visit her website, thebranddoula.com.
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