Daylight Saving Time (DST), also known as "summertime," brings both joy and disruption to our routine. When the clock springs forward an hour, signaling longer days, it requires a sudden adjustment. For those of us focused on a balanced lifestyle, this change can be frustrating.
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This guide will help smooth the transition into DST, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready to spring forward.
How to Shift Your Routine
One of the easiest and most effective ways to get ready for the switch to daylight savings time is by starting your adjustments early. Gradually getting your body used to the time change over a week can help reduce the shock to your body when time suddenly jumps forward.
- Start with Your Bedtime Routine: Rituals are powerful psychological cues that signal your body that it's time to sleep. Engage in the same series of relaxing activities each night leading up to DST, such as reading a calming book or taking a warm bath, only a little bit earlier each night.
- Begin Adjusting Your Bedtime: Each night, set your bedtime 15 minutes earlier than the previous night. This slow adjustment eases your body into falling asleep faster at the desired earlier hour.
- Wake Up to the Future: Conversely, wake up earlier every morning. The uninterrupted morning hours, with their natural light, will help reset your circadian rhythm, preparing you for an earlier wake-up call.
- Move Daily Activities Earlier: Plan your meals, exercise, and even your work schedule with a one-hour adjustment. By practicing your new routine before the change, you'll build new habits that will make the actual transition feel less abrupt.
Sunlight Exposure
The power of sunlight is amazing for resetting your internal clock! Just a few minutes of morning sun can tell your body it's time to wake up and get going, fighting off that groggy feeling. Make it a point to catch some direct sunlight right after waking up. A brisk morning walk outside could be all you need to feel refreshed and sync your body's clock.
Set the Stage for a Good Night's Sleep
Sleep is a delicate dance of the body and mind, one which can be thrown off when the clock shifts. Adding some relaxation and meditation techniques in the days before DST can help you maintain your sleep health during the transition. You might consider ensuring that you have a few things on hand, such as:
- Sleep mask
- Earplugs
- Fan or A/C
- Blackout curtains or shades
- Sleep meditation or sleep sounds app
- Chamomile Tea
- Lavender essential oil
Avoid Afternoon Caffeine
While a little caffeine buzz is a great way to start the morning, it can easily throw off your sleep. Enjoy your last caffeinated or alcoholic beverage at least four to six hours before your regular bedtime.
Substitute afternoon coffee or black tea with herbal teas. Lavender, chamomile, and lemon balm are just a few examples of herbal ingredients that promote relaxation and a good night's sleep.
Springtime is a fresh start, the perfect time to adjust your sleep habits or change your bedding. Reset your sleep health and replace your old mattress while doing your spring cleaning. At Land of Sleep, we're ready to help you find a new mattress ahead of time so you can be ready for daylight savings. Find us in Venice or Sarasota, where we can help you start the summertime off right with a fresh mattress.
