Who in the world came up with Daylight Savings Time (DST)? The government! Can’t be anyone but the Federal government. It’s just like them to do something as sadistic as forcing all of the great US of A to get up one whole hour early for absolutely no reason at all. Who cares why they do what they do. We can’t change it. We could protest, and not spring forward and keep our regular schedules. Of course it is probable that many employers would immediately begin the recruitment process to fill the many positions that will soon become open. So, what’s a soul to do to survive the horror of Daylight Savings Time? Adjust!
Lack of sleep is a widespread issue in Americans’ lives. DST doesn’t aid in the effort to remedy this issue that plagues too many. Inability to get their usual amount of sleep and sluggishness during the day is the primary complaints following DST according to the Better Sleep Council. It’s not as hard as you think to get back into the swing of things, after you’ve adjusted your clocks, and quickly get back to your normal sleep-deprived routines. The Council offers these tips to help survive Daylight Savings Time:
- Gradually Transition Into the Change. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier, starting several days before the change.
- Sleepy? Take A Nap. Take a short nap in the afternoon, to help adjust, when you get sleepy. But, no longer the 20 minutes.
- Commit to 7-8 Hours Sleep. The average adult needs 7-8 hours of sleep to function at maximum capability. Work backward from your wake time, and commit yourself to at least 7 hours of sleep.
- Keep Regular Hours. You’re not a kid anymore, but do you see how much energy those little crumb-snatchers have? Make sleep a priority in your life, and establish a “bedtime” and watch what happens!
- Exercise During the Day. Even a moderate amount of exercise (like walking for 20 minutes) during the day can aid in better sleep. Just be careful not to exercise within 2 hours of bedtime.
- Avoid Caffeine or Alcohol Before Bedtime. Alcohol and caffeine interfere with sleep habits. Smokers should also avoid tobacco before bed, as it could also lead to poor sleep.
- Eat Light at Night. Finish eating at least 2-4 hours before sleep.
- Relax Before Bed. Create a bedtime ritual that is relaxing. Ex: Eat, exercise, warm bath, prayer/meditation, then reading or listening to soothing music as you transition into bed…at your BEDTIME!
- Create a Sleep Sanctuary. Prepare your bedroom for sleep. Yeah, we know it already has a bed. But, make sure the temperature is comfortable, as well as quiet and free from distraction.
- Evaluate Your Mattress/Pillows. Your lack of sleep may have nothing to do with DST, bills, or your snoring mate. If your mattress is over seven years old, it may be time for a new one. And, pillow should be replaced yearly, as a rule.
You may be saying, “These are mostly things that will help in better sleep.” Well, duh! Again, many Americans may not even know they are not getting enough sleep because they have learned to function without it. That doesn’t mean it isn’t causing harm to our overall health and well-being. We sometimes unfairly blame our sleep issues, at this time of year, on DST. Evaluating how we sleep is the likely applicable solution to address it. However, if it’s worse around DST, it’s probably subconscious anxiety over Daylight Savings Time and the havoc it wreaks for the week or so after. When, you could have used a better sleep routine long before you sprang forward.
Long story short…sweet dreams and have a great spring, from Carod Properties!
