I usually dread this time of year when we lose a precious hour of sleep in order to “spring forward”. This year it seems worse, since it falls on March 8th, an early Sunday in March heading into Monday morning, what terrible timing. (I know, it’s always a Sunday night we have to deal with first). Strangely enough though I am looking forward to changing the clocks since we’ve had an odd late day of snow and a cold weather streak. I’m ready for spring! Here are a few ways I plan to prepare for this dreadful loss of one hour’s sleep. Are you ready for Monday morning?
1. Don’t fret, you need not lose an hour of sleep, just adjust 30 minutes on your bedtime and rise time.
I definitely don’t want to lose an hour of sleep, but I also know my body would have difficulty going to bed an hour before it’s used to. Solution: I am going to bump up my bed time to only 30 minutes earlier and make sure I do what I can to relax and wind down the hour before, so my body can prepare for sleep. I will also wake up a half hour later than I usually do in the morning. For instance if I usually get up an hour before I have to leave my house, I’m going to get up only 30 minutes before I have to leave. Making that happen means preparing the night before by packing my briefcase, purse, and lunch, preparing my clothing for the next day, and taking a shower the night before. Our bodies take time to adjust to a new schedule but I think this method of adjustment is better than losing an entire hour.
2. Re-set your clock before you go to bed.
I always get anxious and stressed when I realize Daylight Savings Time is coming, because I’m afraid when it does finally arrive, I’ll forget and be late to work. Like the lack of sleep, stress is also bad for our bodies and our ability to get quality sleep, so instead of allowing stress to hang out for the next several days, write the time change in your calendar, put up post-it notes, set alarms, whatever you have to do until you feel relaxed and assured you won’t forget.
3. Rejoice in more daylight added to your day.
The winter is hard because it gets dark so early. I’m sure we all realize the gradual change in the amount of light in the evenings, but this is a big jump in the amount daylight. I feel that I accomplish more when it is light later into the evenings and I feel happier. When work is finished I’ve still got time left in the day to enjoy - and the sun’s still shining outside.
The sun is setting on winter and rising into Spring…. let it come!
4. Spring is on it’s way!
Daylight Savings Time to me marks the end of a long cold winter. I know Spring isn’t officially here until March 21st, but this extra light helps me feel it’s near and brings me great joy.
Something like 60% of American adults are sleep deprived, but if you do a little prep work, March 9th will not contribute to your sleep deprivation. Remember, sleep is an important part of our health and safety. Here’s what sleep expert Woodie Kessel, MD, MPH, Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.) and a member of the National Sleep Foundation’s 2009 Sleep in America™ Poll Taskforce, says, ‘Sleep is as fundamental as diet and exercise to human health’”.
Photo by bimsboy
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