The Best Way to Welcome Summer Time
Each year on the last Sunday in March, our clocks spring forward to kick off Summer Time. We’ll all move an hour forward away from the darker and shorter days of winter. The longer hours and warmer days of Summer Time lets those of us in the Northern Hemisphere take full advantage. We don’t call it Summer Time for nothing!
Because it happens at the same time every year, it’s easy to prepare your routines for the new time zone. By preparing ahead of time, you’ll be less affected by the change and enter the sunny months full of energy.
Gradually Adjust Your Routine
You can start preparing by gradually shifting your routine in March, especially during the week leading up to Daylight Savings Time. For example, try to go to sleep a few minutes earlier each day and get up earlier in the morning. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends making small changes to your sleep pattern by going to sleep about 15 minutes earlier each day.
You can also move other daily activities, such as meals and workouts forward, step by step. If you gradually make these changes in the week before Summer Time kicks in, you’ll get your internal clock fully aligned. All you’ll have left to do is set the clock forward on Sunday!
Give Yourself Plenty of Time for Sleep
Another critical step in preparing for Summer Time is getting a good night’s sleep before your change your clock. If you don’t sleep much during that last weekend in March, you increase your chances of feeling tired in the following weeks.
While we eagerly make use of the ‘extra’ hour we get when clocks fall back for Standard Time, it’s a good idea to pay attention to your sleep before this change, too. Not only does extra sleep have various health benefits, such as giving your sleeping body time to process toxins, but it also provides extra focus in the weeks following. Adjusting to your new sleep schedule gradually makes it easier to stay awake during the day and prevents you from suddenly dozing off during a meeting.
Find Your Inner Peace
Calming your mind and body with relaxation techniques ranging from breathing exercises to mindfulness and meditation is useful during any season of the year. At the same time, they’re extremely helpful when you want to go to sleep at night. Are you noticing that, despite being well-prepared, you’re still tired after changing the clock? You can get started with one of these relaxation techniques to get your daytime focus back.
Reset Your Clocks Before Going to Bed
Admittedly, internet-connected devices will probably adjust automatically. The same will be true for any atomic clock you happen to have lying around. However, the time doesn’t officially change until 2 am, and it’s a good idea to set any watches or other clocks before you go to sleep.
Why? You will already be adjusted to the change, which will help you get off to a quick start and avoid any timing mishaps on Sunday morning. You won’t have to spend time figuring out what the correct time is or which clocks need adjusting. That will make the start to your Sunday much smoother, and make welcoming Summer Time even more enjoyable!
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