Adjusting to the End of Daylight Saving Time
By Quincy Vagell on October 15, 2011, 12:00am Last modified: November 2, 2012, 10:24am
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We all know it happens every fall. We set the clocks back an hour and gain an hour of sleep. It sounds nice enough, but let's talk about some tips on adjusting to this seemingly pleasant change.
Gain an Hour or Lose an Hour?
Although we "gain" an hour of sleep the night the clocks are pushed back, we actually lose an hour as well. With the end of daylight saving time, we are ultimately losing an hour of daylight in the afternoon. As we move into November, the sun is already setting earlier and earlier. This means that chances are, we'll be driving more at night, spending less evening time with daylight and actually getting sleepy earlier too.
Mess With our Heads
It may not be apparent, but this shift in time does affect us physiologically. With the sun going down earlier, our bodies will tell us we are getting tired earlier. This is why when the clocks first shift back, we keep thinking it's actually later than it "really" is. Time is all relative, but it's how our bodies perceive it that is important.
Good Sleeping Habits
We get it, it's very hard to have good sleeping habits, especially if you are in school, have one or more jobs or simply have a busy life. During the fall season, it is a good idea to try to improve those habits. This means, even if you don't necessarily get a lot of sleep, make an effort to keep your sleeping patterns somewhat consistent. If you need to stay up until 1 or 2 in the morning, go ahead and do that, but it will shock your system if you sometimes stay up until 4 a.m. and then pass out at 9 p.m. other nights.
Watch Your Mouth!
This isn't a lesson in healthy diets. Sure, it's not the best idea for your body to eat junk food, but we all do it from time to time. As far as sleeping goes, try to stop eating at least three hours before you go to bed. Also, keep hydrated by drinking a lot of water. The time that you drink is a factor too, because if you drink a lot right before bed, obviously you'll probably get up one or more times in the night, interrupting sleep. Drinking caffeinated beverages at night is also not the brightest idea. Finally, try to avoid those midnight snacks, if you can help it.
Exercise is a Good Thing
If you have trouble falling asleep at night, one easy thing you can do is exercise. You can do it all from the luxury of your home. Whether it's an evening walk, or even a few sit-ups in your bedroom, exercise will make it much easier to get some sleep. If exercise makes you tired, this is a good thing!
Look Away from that Screen
It is so tempting to watch TV or go online before bed, but this isn't the best idea. The bright lights will mess with your head and make falling asleep more difficult. Sure, you'll eventually pass out, but the interactive nature of these activities will keep your attention longer. This ultimately means that you go to sleep later. You may get into bed at 10 p.m. and put the TV on, but it is so easy to get caught up in the shows or movies that the next thing you know, it's almost morning...
Quick Tip: The best thing you can do before bed, if you need something to occupy your mind or fill background noise is to listen to soft music or read a book under dim light. The music will help you ease into sleep, while reading a book without bright lights will give you peace of mind as well.
Take a Warm Shower
Some people find it particularly relaxing to take a warm shower before you get into bed. This works well to relax your muscles and prepare your body for a good nights rest. To maximize this tip, start with a warm shower and then get into a cool bed. This actually mimics how the body responds to warm daylight, followed by cooler nights, helping you drift into a peaceful sleep.
Don't Forget!
One of the most important tips is to remember when the clocks get set back! Most technologies will adjust the time normally, but not everything. Most clocks in cars, microwaves, ovens, wrist-watches and alarm clocks will need to be set manually. Although the majority of cell-phones do the time change automatically, it is good to double check. Technology is far from perfect! If you are unsure of what the real time is, make a quick call to a friend or go online and make sure you have the right time.
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