Daylight Savings happens twice a year, and the adjustment can take a while to get used to. The days start getting longer; perhaps you keep thinking it’s 5 pm when it’s 8 pm. That can be hard on a body if you must be up at 5 am the next day. Here are five tips for adjusting your schedule, surviving longer daylight hours, and feeling good all year, no matter the time.
Figure out what works for you.
Are you a night owl or an early bird? Society has told us early is best, but not everyone’s bodies are the same, and if you work better at 9 am, see if you can adjust your schedule accordingly. You could exercise after work instead of before, or have a big lunch instead of breakfast. If you can’t sleep with light through the windows, try hanging darker curtains to block out the 9 pm daylight. A tea or hot shower can signal your body that it’s time to wind down, even if the moon isn’t yet in the sky.
Take time to envision your dream average day.
It may sound odd to have a dream average day versus a dream day, but it’s not every day you’ll be at the beach or Disneyland. Close your eyes and think about how you like your daily life to flow. Do you enjoy having quiet time in the morning to read and focus? Is your family involved in 10 different activities, and part of what lights you all up is supporting one another in that and experiencing life together? Are there walks with a dog, workouts, playing with the kids, or practicing with an intermural league? Write down what you’d like your average day to look like.
Ask yourself what is needed to support that.
If you like having a slow evening with your family versus a rush to get everything in before you sleep, think about what’s needed to make that happen. You might have to say no to specific activities or put a hard stop to work with a timer at six so you can do dinner and all sit around to talk. Maybe there’s one evening a week with nothing on the schedule, so you have a night to breathe. If you like cozying up with your partner and reading before bed, what time do you need to get ready so you can start reading together 30 minutes before lights out?
Take stock of what is working.
Now that it’s April, the year’s first quarter is over (yes, already). What has worked so far this year? What do you want more or less of? Is there anything that has you excited for spring? If certain activities are over after winter, what would you like to fill (or not) that time with?
Taking time to be intentional about how more sunlight impacts you can help you show up in a way that feels good. Although Daylight Savings can cause a shakeup, there are many things you can do to take care of yourself so you feel good this month and throughout the summer.
About the Author
Aj Smit is the author of the book Red Thread: Weaving an Embodied Life of Joy, speaker, glitter enthusiast, and professional weaver of Joy. She is a military spouse in S. Korea with a pup and houseplants galore. Aj has led various Red Tents, retreats, and workshops internationally over the last ten years to help others discover how to weave creativity and curiosity into their lives. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram at @TheJoyWeaver and TheJoyWeaver.com