Our Best Tips for Adjusting to the Summer Time Change
Time springs forward on Sunday, March 28th as Summer Time begins!
Ready to lose an hour of sleep? No? Well, you’re in luck! We’re here to provide you with some helpful tips.
If you’d rather not feel tired and grumpy after losing an hour of sleep, there’s a lot you can do to prepare for Summer Time other than setting the clocks forward.
Summer Time changes affect regular schedules and routines as well as the body’s internal rhythms.
Here are our best tips to make for a smoother transition this year!
Make Adjustments Early
For some, adjusting to the time change takes just a couple of days, while for others, its effects may be felt for much longer.
One of the best tips to help make the transition easier is to prepare by making adjustment early. This advice is helpful for adults and kids alike!
About a week before Summer Time begins, start going to bed 10-15 minutes earlier than usual. Continue to bring your bedtime earlier by 10-15 minutes every night until you’re going to bed a full hour earlier.
By the time Summer Time rolls around, you will be going to bed at your usual time, and ensure you’re getting the sleep you need for the hour lost in the morning.
You can also start getting up 10-15 minutes earlier each morning, so your wake time is on schedule for daylight saving time to begin.
For kids who thrive on stable routines, making these gradual changes will help them to adjust without abruptly disrupting their routine. Incremental adjustments are easier on kids instead of potentially losing an hour of sleep overnight.
Create or Maintain a Relaxing Bedtime Routine
Have a nice wind-down time for bed. A warm bath, soft lighting, avoiding electronics, and getting comfy to read a book helps the body know it’s time for bed.
Set your Time Timer with a countdown to help you and your family adjust to the new bedtime and shift from work or play time to a wind down routine. When the timer goes off, it’s time to read, relax, and prepare for sleep!
Let the Light In (and Keep It Dark for Sleep!)
When it’s time to sleep, a dark, quiet room is best for good sleep, especially for young children who tend to wake up more at night.
When it’s time to wake up, try to get sunlight exposure as soon as possible in the morning to help the body’s natural rhythms adjust.
Stay Consistent with Daily Schedules
Remain consistent with the hours of sleep you get at night – every night. Yes, this includes weekends! A consistent schedule day-to-day helps the body’s internal clock and ensure you get good sleep all night, every night.
Celebrate a New Season
Now that you’ve got a few ways to prepare, our final tip for Summer Time is to look ahead to the positive side of the change. What will you gain with an extra hour of daylight at the end of the workday or your kid’s school day?
Perhaps you’ll try out some new recipes for warmer weather, plan a landscaping project, or get the mud kitchen set up outside for the kids.
As the days get longer and warm up slowly, now is the time to decide how you would like to celebrate the new season. Happy (almost) Spring!