Surviving Daylight Saving Time
Model Rachel Bussey By Jennifer Skog
We’ve been feeling it for weeks now, the sun is setting progressively earlier each day, there’s a slight chill in the air, and leaves are turning. It’s baaaaaaaccckk! Daylight Saving Time! Apparently there is technically no ‘s’. Did you know DST didn’t even exist until 1966 when it became part of the Uniform Time Act? Before then states could come up with their own versions to adjust their farming schedules which was a total mess. Only two states don’t follow DST; Hawaii (they were able to opt-out in 1967 because the sun rises and sets pretty much the same time year-round) and Arizona in 1968 for almost the same reason.
Out here in California, we love our sunshine and the transition from summer to fall is always a hard pill to swallow. Let’s be real, it’s not the weather for us, but the time change that is a killer! We go from sunsets after 8:00 to dark by 6:30. If you are like most Americans getting ready to set those clocks back to 2 am November 3rd, you are also dreading the effects that are to follow.
Before we know it, it’ll be dark before 6 pm. The change in time brings us some of the most amazing sunsets but in this case, that just seems like a small consolation prize. Losing an hour of daylight when the sun is already setting earlier is a hard sell for this girl. It affects our natural circadian rhythm which can mess with our sleep cycle. When our sleep cycle is off we are left feeling groggy and foggy and it can affect our amygdala (the brain’s emotional response center), memory, productivity, and even safety.
Back when I had toddlers and was sleep training, I was terrified of how Daylight Saving(s) was going to disrupt all the progress we had been making. Now, as my kids are older, I still try to plan ahead to avoid the post-DST crash that seems to smack our whole family like one of those obstacles on Wipe Out. Here are a few tips that we are trying this year:
For a few nights leading up to November 3rd, adjust your bed and wake time by 15 minutes each night. 15 minutes doesn’t sound like a lot, but the idea is by adjusting little by little; it won’t be such a shock to your natural sleep cycle. Use a sleep mask or blackout curtains to help trick your brain. Wind down with a CBD or nighttime specific tea or tincture about an hour before you hit the hay. If you have some time, you could do a short meditation to get the brain ready for sleep.
Go out and get some Vitamin D (i.e. SUN!) As soon as you wake up, open the curtains and let the light shine in! Sit outside with your cup of coffee, or at least go over those spelling words by a window with bright natural light.
Try to decrease caffeine consumption after 2:00 pm on the days leading up to November 3rd. This way, you can hopefully be tired at your new early bedtime. When you're feeling like you need a little boost try eating an orange. The smell of the citrus wakes up the senses and you get a little fructose kick. If you have a diffuser, you could diffuse citrus and peppermint essential oils, both help with alertness and clarity. There are many cannabis options you can find at your local dispensary for focus/attention/alert products to fit your needs.
Remember, it’s just another day, and it’s just one hour. We are all in this together except Hawaii and Arizona, but we aren’t upset about that. Nope, not us.
