Don't Lose Sleep Over Daylight Saving Time

By Donna Stark

One hour. It certainly doesn't seem like a lot, does it? I mean, how many times have you needed to kill an hour? You probably looked through social media, watched your favorite show, or chatted with a friend, but you still survived, didn't you? So why does it seem like it's the end of the world when you lose an hour of sleep during Daylight Saving Time? You wake up on that Sunday morning feeling extra exhausted, super groggy, and not yourself at all. In fact, life is suddenly a whole lot different than the day before because your body simply hasn't adjusted yet. Sure, it's only an hour, but boy! What a difference an hour can make.

Surviving Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time occurs on March 10 of this year, which gives you plenty of time to prepare. Prepare for what, you wonder? Well, for some people, losing that hour of sleep may actually throw their schedules off for several days and you certainly don't want that to happen to your busy life. Here are some tips on how to manage the time change so it has little to no effect on your body.

Hit it With One Swift Motion 

This is probably the easiest strategy to take if you don't have any trouble going to bed and falling asleep earlier than usual. Just plan on hitting the sack an hour earlier the night before Daylight Saving Time. That way, you can wake up with the same amount of rest that your body is used to.

Changing Your Schedule With Baby Steps

If you have trouble falling asleep and know that going to bed an hour earlier will just leave you sitting in bed, wide awake, then you may need a different strategy. For this one, you will need to start going to bed 15 minutes earlier a few days in advance. By day four, you will hit that hour mark and will be ready as you will ever be for Daylight Saving Time.

Follow Good Bedtime Rules 

If you aren't completely affected by Daylight Saving Time, but are a little concerned about the sleep you are losing, then at the very least, follow good bedtime rules so you can get the best night of rest possible. These are:

• Finish meals and snacks a couple of hours before bed
• Skip the alcohol and caffeine
• Stay physically active during the day, but end your workout at least two hours before bedtime
• Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool
• Put down the electronic devices at least an hour before bed

You Are a Survivor

Losing sleep can wreak havoc on anyone's day! So stay ahead of the time change this year and keep your schedule ... and your mood  intact! If you can survive Daylight Saving Time, you can survive pretty much anything else!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Brentwood, Tenn.