It’s back. It’s the time of year when you unwillingly lose an hour of sleep, disrupt your body’s internal clock and even run the risk of dozing off while it’s still light outside. That’s right: it’s daylight saving time.
Every year, everyone “springs forward,” adjusting their clocks so that 2 a.m. becomes 3 a.m. and the hours of daylight extend just a little bit. It’s good for anyone who likes to make the most of the warm weather–but it can wreak temporary havoc on your body and mind unless you take some steps to minimize the damage.
Here are five ways you can minimize the effects of day light saving on your body and mind:
Eat breakfast. You wake up. You’re tired and mildly irritated because you’ve been robbed of an hour of sleep. The first thing you should do is eat breakfast. Breakfast will fire up your metabolism, provide instant energy and take your mind off the fact that you lost an hour of sleep.
Consider a catnap. Contrary to what you might think, there’s nothing wrong with taking a short catnap. In fact, if you ever needed an extra 30 minutes of sleep, it’s now. So carve out some time to sleep. But don’t take too much time–a nap longer than 30 minutes can leave you feeling worse.
Work out. After breakfast and a nap, make time for a quick workout. Working out energizes your body and mind. It releases endorphins, which will make you feel better. And it makes you feel like you’re accomplishing something–and momentum builds momentum, so if you work out today, you’ll be more likely to work out tomorrow.
Establish a pattern. Just because it’s lighter longer doesn’t mean you still can’t go to bed at your “normal” time. If you usually go to bed at 9 p.m., keep going to bed at 9 p.m. Establishing a pattern as soon as possible will help you get back to normal sooner.
Don’t fret. Change is difficult, but over-thinking it can make it worse. Don’t count hours of sleep. Don’t worry. Just get back to living.
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