Most everyone can relate to having a love-hate relationship with daylight saving time. While “fall back” gives you the opportunity to grab an extra hour of sleep, “spring forward” can throw you off your sleep schedule, leaving you and your family feeling foggy (and potentially cranky) for the next few days.
This spring, make a conscious effort to prepare for daylight savings by making these small adjustments:
- Gradually transition: Make gradual adjustments to your sleep schedule several days before the time change, going to bed and putting your children to bed 15 minutes earlier each day.
- Avoid stimulants: On the day of the time change, avoid or limit substances that will stimulate your system and cause you to feel more awake. This includes coffee, chocolate and tobacco. Also, avoid using your cell phone before bed. Do your best to go screenless an hour before bed. Use this time to quiet your mind with some reading, journaling or meditation.
- Get up and move! Exercising for at least 30 minutes during the day can help you log more Zs. Just be careful not to exercise too close to bedtime – this can have the adverse effect, waking up your system and making it difficult to fall asleep. TIP: Make exercise a family affair – take advantage of the spring weather to get out and play with your kids and pets! Grab a soccer ball, go for a walk or play some yard games.
Incorporating these simple lifestyle changes can help you sleep better and feel well rested, even after turning your clock ahead one hour.
Once you’ve adjusted to the time change, use your extra daylight to get ahead of some spring cleaning. Not sure where to start? Check out some tips and tricks here:
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