5 Proactive Tips To Adjust To Losing An Hour In Your Day

Daylight Savings Time will soon end, taking us all back an hour, which means shorter days and earlier nights. Its original purpose was to conserve energy consumption during World War I, and started March 10 this year. Transitioning to losing an hour can be tough, and seasonal depression is real. Here are a few tips that might help make the transition much easier for you come November 3.

I adapted this concept as a freshman in college to prepare for classes starting at 8 a.m. Adjust your sleep patterns by setting your clock back two to three days before you actually lose an hour. This will naturally allow your body to get acquainted with the new schedule instead of transitioning the day of.

This may sound simple, but your body is a literal machine and a creature of habit. By going to bed an hour early you will not only retain the hour you would be losing but also deter your body from switching the sleep schedule cold turkey. You’ll feel rejuvenated and refreshed by the extra sleep you gain by doing this simple early-hour method.

It is understood that not everyone has this luxury, but if you find yourself with an hour or two, get some shut-eye. BBC stated, “Habitual napping may help keep our brains bigger for longer and boost its overall health, according to a 2023 study by researchers at University College London (UCL) and the University of the Republic in Uruguay.” 

Incentives were created to simplify life (or at least that’s my philosophy). Let’s be honest, losing an hour can change the entire trajectory of not only your day but also your lifestyle. You’ll have to adjust, but if you have an incentive that makes things easier, it’ll make the change a little less bitter. Pick something that makes you happy. It could be a snack, a hobby, a kind gesture like helping the elderly or simply ordering in. Don’t allow Daylight Savings Day to control your life, take control of your life.

Work-life balance can be hard to manage but to prepare for losing an hour of daylight you can try to have dinner earlier than usual. For example, instead of dinner at 6 p.m., you can try 5 p.m. This will give you time to allow your food to digest, and you can incorporate exercise by taking a walk around your neighborhood before it gets dark. Look at the benefits of losing an hour. It isn’t all bad after all.

Now that you have the tools to make it through the time change, be sure to pass it on to your friends and family. Make sure that you also stay hydrated during the wake of the colder months, and eat lots of vegetables which will help nourish your body and wade off depression.