How to Deal with Daylight Saving Time

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The daylight saving time was long considered as the insignificant change of our time that does not much affect our health. One hour backwards and forwards has not been considered as dramatic change for years. However, experience has shown that many people feel the effects of daylight saving time, at least, a week. Experts explain the change of one hour is not a slight one at all. Namely, they think that it affects our circadian rhythm or our biological clock that depends on light. This inner clock is responsible for the length and quality of our sleep. Moving the time forwards or backwards disturbs our circadian rhythm and makes us tired, sleepy, and dizzy, especially in the first week after Daylight Saving Time appeared. According to experts, moving an hour forward is even more disturbing than vice versa. Because of that, they advise us to take some steps to deal with consequences of daylight saving time. The article “6 Tips to Deal with Daylight Saving Time” offers us some interesting tips that can help us overcome the issue.

Exercise. Working out releases serotonin, a chemical in the brain that helps our bodies adjust. Exercise regularly, preferably outdoors, and early in the day. A brisk morning walk is perfect. Avoid exercising too late in the evening though, as this could interfere with the quality of your sleep. Learn more about the connection between exercise and better sleep.

Nap wisely. Try to resist the urge to take long naps late in the day. If you get tired, take a short, energizing walk around the block instead. If you must nap, keep it earlier in the day and limit your snooze time to no more than 20 minutes.

Don’t imbibe. Alcohol interferes with normal sleep cycles, so don’t rely on a nightcap to fall asleep. Find out about other foods and drinks that help (and hurt) your sleep.

Lighten up. The right combination of light and dark can help your body’s circadian rhythm readjust so you can fall asleep on your new schedule and sleep more soundly. In the morning, open the shades and brighten the lights. Try to spend time outside during the day, if possible. Dim the lights in the evening, so that your body understands that it’s time to wind down.

One of the most effective ways to cope with effects of daylight saving time is to establish a good routine before we go to bed. This routine is useful because it helps us relax and letting go of all the stress and mental noise we accumulated during the day. For many people, 30 minutes of reading a book, meditate or taking a bath can have very positive influence on our sleeping cycle. It helps us wake up fresh, hale and ready for daily challenges. We can be hugely surprised when seeing the effects of our good evening ritual on our mood. In a long run, it can greatly improve our health by lessening stress and gives us enough time to recover fully.