Hi ,
Daylight Saving Time officially ends at 2 a.m. tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 6. That means we will “fall back” to standard time, setting our clocks back an hour.
More than a third of US states want a permanent shift to daylight saving time (without the twice-a-year clock change), and the Sunshine Protection Act has passed the Senate and is awaiting House approval.
But, regardless of what happens to Daylight Saving Time in the future, we are in for another winter of early sunsets.
The extra hour of afternoon darkness can be hard, especially for those who are prone to feeling down in the autumn and winter. Seasonal affective disorder afflicts 10 million people in this country, making them lethargic, prone to overeating, and generally sad. Even those who may not suffer from seasonal affective disorder acutely can find it more difficult to find motivation in the midst of winter, with fewer hours of daylight.
If you’re one of those people, read on to find out how to prepare yourself for the end of Daylight Saving Time.
TONIGHT
For a smoother transition, eat dinner a little later than normal today. Try pushing bedtime, too, so that the time on the clock is closer to the time your body thinks it is.
TOMORROW
If you don’t work nights and don’t have small children, revel in the extra hour of sleep. Sleeping in will help you function better, and since about a third of Americans are sleep-deprived, anyway, you probably need it.
If you can’t sleep an extra hour tomorrow, sleep in as much as possible. Maybe plan to push bedtime by 30 minutes today and wake up 30 minutes later tomorrow.
Evening exercisers should consider moving their workouts to the morning. One of the hardest adjustments when Daylight Saving Time ends can be getting the motivation to work out in the afternoon or evening when it’s pitch black outside. Moving your workout to the morning can help, as the morning light helps your body clock reset itself to the outside world. Make sure to bundle up!
GOING FORWARD
Shorter, darker days can mess with our eating. Some people find themselves more prone to snacking in the dim afternoons. Try sticking with your normal mealtimes even after the time change. If you do get snacky at odd times, avoid simple carbs that will make your blood sugar spike, and opt for a snack that’s high in protein or fat plus a complex carb that has fiber in it.
Those who are especially sensitive to the time change should watch their caffeine and alcohol consumption for the next few days, as they can both negatively affect sleep quality.
The end of warm weather and lots of daylight also means the end of a lot of fun activities. You may feel like binging TV for the next five months, but being sedentary is linked with increased depression and feelings of life dissatisfaction. Another way to keep bad moods in check is to get creative. Whether it’s baking bread, drawing, or putting on a play with your kids, spending time making things instead of consuming things will lift your spirits.
What do you think of Daylight Savings Time?
Is it a hassle to change the clocks twice a year, or do you prefer it? Reply to this email and let us know.
