Quantcast
Don't Let Daylight Saving Catch You Sleeping: Here's How To Prep For The Seasonal Shift
Wellness

Don't Let Daylight Saving Catch You Sleeping: Here's How To Prep For The Seasonal Shift

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.

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.

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.

Igor Alecsander/Getty Images

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.

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.

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 and 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.

Cavan Images/Getty Images

Tweak Your Eating Schedule: 

When it comes to daylight saving 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 routine. 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.

Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

Featured image by RyanJLane/Getty Images

TRENDING
ALSO ON XONECOLE
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly

This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.

Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.

KEEP READINGShow less
Russell and Nina Westbrook Dish On The Key Ways To Avoid Resentment In Relationships

Russell and Nina Westbrook are one of those low-key, unproblematic couples we don’t talk about enough. They met in college and got married in 2015. They also have a beautiful family with three kids. While Russell is an NBA star, Nina is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a mental health advocate.

She recently launched the podcast The Relationship Chronicles with Nina Westbrook, and in the latest episode, she had none other than her husband on as a guest. The college sweethearts dived into important topics from marriage to children and how they navigate it all.

KEEP READINGShow less
LATEST POSTS