How to Change the Clock to Daylight Saving Time
We are all late for something due to the transition to summer time, and spring can also ruin your sleep. Get ready to catch up this year.
Business Insider explains why the Daylight Saving Time effect is amplified in the spring:
Daylight saving time problems are greatest in the spring, when we have all just lost an hour of sleep. The sun rises later, making it harder to wake up in the morning. This is because we reset our natural clocks with the help of light. When out of nowhere (at least for our body) these signals change, it causes a lot of confusion.
As with any sleep loss, the leap forward causes the decreased performance, concentration and memory that sleep deprived people experience, as well as fatigue and daytime sleepiness.
Here’s how you can catch up, from getting ready to redefining your daily routine.
Be prepared to adjust in advance
If your bedroom doesn’t have a lot of early morning light to wake you up, have breakfast in a sunny and bright part of the house or exercise in the morning . You can also wake up more easily by taking a cold shower (brrr). Also, if you can, start now and pretend you are already an hour ahead in the days leading up to the change.
Despite your best efforts, you may feel tired during the adjustment period. If you feel the need to take a weekend nap to make up for lost sleep, do it on Saturday afternoon to avoid a sluggish Monday . Finally, you cannot stop working just because you feel sleep deprived, so determine the best time to work during this transition period.
Do more in daylight
If you have long wanted to play sports, use the time change for this. Since you now have more natural light, plan outdoor activities to move on. With the start of daylight saving time, the weather is warmer, see if there are sports leagues or other outdoor exercise groups in your area. Besides improving your health, it’s also a great way to meet new people.
You can also use this daylight to help you get up early and get things done. If you’ve wanted to form a new habit for a long time, now is the time. If you are thinking of using the extra time to focus on your to-do list, take a look at what it says first. If you have things that have languished on your list for weeks or months, consider whether or not they really need to be done. If they do, take action to eliminate anything that makes you procrastinate so you can clear your to-do list.
Review your sleep patterns
Evaluate your sleep pattern for a smoother adjustment. Getting quality sleep is easy if you follow the right steps:
- Do a night audit to see where you stand .
- Create your ideal evening routine to make it easier to fall asleep .
- Upgrade your bedroom to improve your sleep quality .
- Make it easier for you to get up in the morning so your mind isn’t clouded.
You should also find places in your daily routine where you can be more efficient and buy time. You can do this by taking advantage of your travel time , cutting back on passive activities like watching TV, preparing meals ahead of time to cook faster, and more.
Check your home, devices and goals again
If you need to change the time on your watch for daylight saving time, schedule the time for other tasks that must be performed twice a year. Here is a list with some examples:
- Batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Emergency kit
- Practice your family’s emergency plan
- Make an appointment with your doctor and dentist
- Door and window locks for your home
- Clean parts of your home such as the outside air vent for the dryer, windows, gutters, and refrigerator coils.
- Review your insurance , budget, and other policies or documents.
- Review your personal or professional goals to avoid mistakes related to long-term goals.
Even if you mostly use your phone as a watch, you should still double check if it (and your calendar) is actually changing. There have been issues in the past with iOS alarm and calendar apps not switching on their own. If you have a watch that you do not remember how to reset, you can search the Internet for help specifying the watch type and specific model. As a last resort, you can reset it by unplugging it shortly before 12:00 and then plugging it back in right at 12:00.
Daylight saving time can make it difficult for you to sleep and your daily routine. Consider the areas listed above to simplify setup and save as much time as possible despite the time shift.