Daylight Saving Time forces most of us to “spring forward” and lose a precious hour of sleep. This man-made manipulation of our clocks disrupts our circadian rhythm — our body’s natural clock — and can leave us feeling groggy, irritable, and less alert for days afterward.
Nancy Rothstein wrote this guide for Thrive Global to help people navigate the transition, particularly during a year when pandemic-related sleep disruptions had already taken a toll. The time change may feel even harder when your sleep has already been compromised by schedule shifts, anxiety, and the challenges of remote work.
Tips for Adapting to the Time Change
- Listen to Your Body: If you are dragging in the afternoon, take a 20-minute power nap — set an alarm so you don’t oversleep
- Respect Your Sleep: If you are tired early because of the time change, go to bed. Skip the extra episode on Netflix or that late-night text conversation
- Morning Routine Matters: It may be harder to wake up when your clock says seven but your body thinks it’s six. Put your alarm across the room so you have to physically get up to turn it off
- Skip the Snooze Button: Pressing snooze gives you fragmented, low-quality sleep that leaves you worse off than simply getting up
- Get Morning Daylight: Expose yourself to natural light first thing in the morning and get moving to help reset your circadian rhythm
- Be Consistent: Maintain a regular bedtime and wake time going forward to support your body clock’s functioning
Nancy also cautions about the risks of drowsy driving during the transition period. When you are tired, your reaction time is compromised — and others on the road may be affected too.
Read the Full Article on Thrive Global »
For ongoing sleep improvement, explore Nancy’s courses including Sleep Is Your Superpower on LinkedIn Learning and her curated sleep resources.