I think the best advice I can give you is to simply accept the fact that it will take (on average) 5 to 7 days for us to adjust to this shit!
Don’t play the: “It’s really 5:00” when it is actually 4:00 game!
Mentally acknowledge where you are in the moment with as much acceptance and as little stress as possible. Your body will listen to your thinking, and respond more positively - I pinky swear!
This is sound advice too: Konrad Jarausch, a California-based engineer and scientist who has studied the effects of light on health extensively,
suggests that you get outside first thing in the morning for 10-15 minutes to help adjust to daylight savings time.
Don’t worry about exercising. Just soak up the natural light for 3-4 days after moving clocks forward an hour.
“Your eyes tell the time of day by the amount of blue light they receive,” he explains.
“The body is the most sensitive to it in the morning.” Natural daylight has plenty of blue light to help reset your body clock.
He also says that we should be more disciplined in the evening around daylight savings time.
Though experts recommend not using electronics at night,
which emit blue light and trick your brain into believing it’s time to be awake, many of us find it difficult to heed that rule.
Daylight savings time is the perfect time to put away cell phones, tablets, and laptops at bedtime.
A better night’s sleep is the payoff.
So:
1) Try and get outside within the first hour of you waking up.
Just standing outside and taking a few breaths is all you need.
Do this for the week after the time change (and beyond if it feels awesome!)
2) For the next week: turn off the tv, phone, laptop at least an hour before you hit the hay.
You can do it!
Grab a book and read for a bit, or put on some meditative music as you doze off instead.
Again, if this feels awesome, keep it up beyond the week!
3) Taking a walk in the evening is a nice way to wind down.
Include some deep breaths, smile, roll your shoulders a few times…..be as present as you can as you simply stroll.
Look at it as a relaxing thing to do, not as exercise or a thing you “should be doing”.
4) When you wake up in the morning, give yourself a few moments before you jolt out of bed!
Lie on your back, take in a deep breath and exhale slowly, rotate your ankles and wrists, flex and point your feet a few times.
Turn your head slowly side to side, wiggle your shoulders about a bit!
Be mindful as you intentionally lift yourself up and gently place your feet on the floor.
My favourite mantra at that moment is: “I am firmly grounded in, and grateful for, this day”.
Then I get super cheesy and make sure I place a smile on my face before I stand up. Give it a try!
5) Now for the very obvious: Drink your water and eat your veggies, hahhaaha! (You knew it was coming).
Time change is a confusing time for the body, so help it out by giving it as much of the good stuff as you can!
Over the next few days, keep an eye on your caffeine intake (tired equals more coffee...I am guilty of this!).
For every cup of coffee, add another 2 cups of water to the amount you already consume.
Add veggies to every meal...I know....obvious stuff, but sometimes we need a reminder :)
Am I the type of person who tries to put a positive spin on everything? Why yes, I am! So: I like to look at this as an opportunity to create some more healthy habits into my day. The things listed above are necessary for the week ahead, but maybe one or two of them will stick around for longer!
Positive spin for the win :)
I hope this helps!