Daylight Saving Time (DST)—often misspelled with an extra “s” at the end of the word “Saving.” But please save that “s” because the extra letters you need might come in the form of zzz’s. You’re going to need sleep.
What is DST?
It’s called “springing forward,” and for many of us that forward-hop can feel like a major setback. When you set your clock forward in the United States for the morning of Sunday, March 13, 2016, chances are that you’ll lose at least an hour of sleep during the adjustment period. That one small hour of lost sleep can create big problems.
Science writer Laura Poppick explains that changes in the body’s circadian rhythms cause all sorts of havoc when DST begins. Poppick says people experience more car accidents, workplace injuries, heart attacks, cyber-loafing, and headaches at the start of DST. We know that the time change can produce changes your daily routine, confusion in your body clock and fluctuations in feelings, such as extreme crankiness in adults and children. Farmers even complain about problems with their milking cows.
Don’t Lose Sleep: How can you prepare?
Get ready for the time change by adjusting your routine, removing some bad habits and adding some good ones. Here are a few ideas:
- Make incremental changes in your bedtime, going to sleep slightly earlier each night prior to the DST change
- Reduce caffeine after midday
- Calm your evening routine by doing something soothing, such as drinking Yogi Bedtime Tea
- Consider a supplement, such as Natrol Melatonin for relief from sleeplessness
- Ask the experts at your neighborhood Vitamin Shoppe for other natural remedies and supplements
In addition to these suggestions, try slowing down—not not just because of DST—but because slowing down and taking time to see and notice the world around you is healing and restorative, no matter what time of year it is.
Happy Spring, everyone!
Rose Caiola
Inspired. Rewired.
