It can be very difficult adjusting to Daylight Savings Time every year at this time, but there are ways to help your body cope.
Not everyone has a difficult time adjusting to the change in time in the spring and fall. According to an article written by Catherine Boeckmann on Almanac.com, some folks just feel a little tired and maybe a little more grouchy than normal. Other people are seriously affected by even a one-hour time change, especially if they have underlying health issues.
Per another article by Catherine Boeckmann on Almanac.com, recent studies point to the fact 60-70% of Americans dislike the time changes we go through twice a year, and would prefer we discontinue the practice. In fact, last year the U.S. Senate passed a bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent, but it failed to pass in the House of Representatives.
I have always heard that Daylight Savings Time was instituted to help farmers, but according to Boeckmann’s article, the truth is that the law was introduced during World War I, repealed, introduced again during World War II, repealed, and then made permanent by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. This law became the Uniform Time Act, which is still in effect today. However, states are allowed to opt out of this law.
More and more states are voting to eliminate the twice-yearly time changes. Hopefully, Nevada joins that movement, but our legislature has not jumped on that bandwagon yet.
So, in the meantime, what can one do to help one’s body adjust to these time changes? Here are five common-sense practices pinpointed by Carole Boeckmann on Almanac.com.
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Larry Martino is the long-time Afternoon Drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.
5) Go To Bed At Your Normal Time
Don’t try to stay up later to help your body adjust. If you keep to your normal bedtime and wake-up routines, your body should adjust in about a week. Those who have difficulty with the time changes should plan on making incremental 10-20 minute adjustments in your sleep and awake times a week prior to Daylight Savings Time starting.
4) Practice Good Pre-Sleep Habits
It is always a good practice to avoid caffeine and/or alcohol in the hours before your normal bedtime. It’s best to avoid strenuous exercise during those hours before bedtime too. And bringing your smartphone to bed is a poor health practice as it makes falling asleep much more difficult.
3) Eat Dinner At Your Normal Time
We’ve all done it at one time or another, and then wished we hadn’t. Eating a big meal, or lots of carbs, before bedtime makes it very difficult to fall asleep. Keep your mealtimes consistent when approaching the time changes. Like to snack before you hit the rack? Eat snacks high in protein instead of those which are high in carbohydrates.
2) Get More Sunlight
Get outdoors and get more sunlight. Take a walk, hike, run, or bike ride to help your body adjust to the time changes.
1) Take A Nap
This is one piece of advice I have never been able to use in my life. Taking catnaps. I just can’t fall asleep in the middle of the day for 15-30 minutes. I can shut my eyes that long, but I won’t sleep. Not sure if just shutting your eyes helps. But, if you are able to take a quick nap, do it! However, don’t take long naps. It will negatively affect your nighttime sleeping pattern.