How to Thrive Through Daylight Savings This Year

The main purpose of Daylight Saving time is to make better use of the daylight. However, losing an hour, or even gaining an hour, can really mess with your daily routines and sleeping patterns. That’s why, as our days get darker earlier, we have to focus on adapting to the new time adjustment.

Follow your animal instincts
This might sound silly, but consider what our fellow mammals do during this time of year. Squirrels, mice, and beavers tend to stock up on supplies while bison, goats, and sheep grow thicker fur coats to keep them warm.

No, we’re not saying to bury some nuts in the ground or grow more body hair, just consider stocking up on some healthy comfort food and wearing extra layers of clothing – duh. Read more about how animals adjust during this time of year and consider how you can tune into your own animal instincts by applying some of these behavioral and environmental changes to your own life.

Don’t switch up your daily schedule
It might seem harmless to stay up an hour later or to sleep in an extra 20 minutes while coping with the time change but it actually can throw off your circadian rhythm, which in turn can alter your mood and energy levels throughout your day, affecting your entire routine. So, keep to your normal schedule, don’t take any long naps, and consider having a bedtime routine in place to help your body prepare for sleep.

Invest in cozy, comfy goodies
Now that the weather’s getting colder and the days are getting dark faster, many of us feel the need to just cozy up on the couch and binge our favorite shows. Consider making your home extra cozy and comfy by investing in some new comfort items. Here are a few of our favorites:

Go outside or open up your curtains
Your exposure to daylight is a little more limited nowadays but that doesn’t change the fact that exposure to sunlight directly affects your serotonin and energy levels. Take time to go for a 10 minute morning or mid-afternoon walk, if you can. Or, if it’s too cold, just open up the curtains and let that natural light fill your home or office space. If there’s a stretch of dark, rainy gloomy days consider investing in a light therapy box that mimics sunlight, giving your serotonin that boost it needs.

It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s different. For some, the daylight savings shift has very little impact, and for others, it has a big impact on their daily mood and energy levels. Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, it’s important to give yourself and others grace as we all make the adjustment to the time shift. If you know a friend that could benefit from these tips, help them out by sharing this list with them!