It’s time to fall back again this weekend.
How do you manage this change in your life? Does it throw you off track every year?
Finding time to begin and end Daylight Saving Time is a ritual that most of us here in the United States are very familiar with. The exceptions here are Arizona, Hawaii, and part of Indiana, along with the territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
When you fall back, what do you gain?
For many people, at least on the surface of it, the changeover in the fall is a net plus. Moving our clocks back an hour this coming Saturday night means an extra hour of sleep – or an extra hour of something, depending on what you decide to do with it.
However, it’s worth considering the fact that any transition or change can be disruptive as you are navigating it. And something as significant as changing the amount of daylight that we are likely to experience each day, can have a big impact.
For early risers, the end of Daylight Saving Time will mean seeing more light in the morning. This is generally experienced as a benefit.
For those who sleep a bit later, the impact will be the loss of light at the end of the day.
What’s do you lose?
Studies suggest that the changes to and from Daylight Saving Time often lead to sleep disruption that can last for days, or even weeks. In addition, the loss of daylight at the end of the day may contribute to the sedentary tendencies of our modern lifestyle. In other words, we’re all more likely to spend time on the couch once Daylight Saving Time is over.
That’s why it’s so helpful to plan ahead for these changes. Recognize what’s likely to happen, and figure out what you can do to keep yourself on course.
- If, for example, you know that this change is likely to disrupt your sleep, plan for some extra sleep time. Or take a quick, 20-minute nap when you hit a lull in your activities or energy.
- But if you worry about weight gain as the hours of darkness lengthen, create an exercise regimen to address that. It doesn’t have to be extensive. Remember that even a little bit of exercise helps.
- And remember that as challenging as transitions can be, they also provide points where new beginnings can be made. It can, quite often, be easier to start a new routine when other changes are already happening.
How are you planning for the time change this weekend?
How will you stay on track when your clocks fall back?
Here’s more help…
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It includes time-tested tips and action steps separated into 11 common categories to help you find just what you need in the moment you need it. You know, transforming your life is all about transforming your time. It’s within your reach, and these 101 Time Tips give you 101 stepping stones to your time success.
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