Experts

5 Ways to Adjust to Daylight Savings

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Oct 29, 2014 03:06 PM EDT

This weekend on November 2, the majority of the country will be moving their clocks one hour backwards for Daylight Savings. This time shift means that for most areas, the sun will set before you leave work, making your commute home dark and gloomy. Since changing our clocks is inevitable, here are five things you can do to adjust quickly.

1. Don't change your routine

On November 1, do not stress about changing your routine to accommodate for the extra hour. Go to bed at the same time that you normally would. Chances are your body will appreciate the extra hour of sleep.

2. Address your sleeping habits

Daylight Savings can end up helping you determine whether or not you practice poor sleeping habits. Waking up an hour earlier this Sunday morning suggests that the amount of sleep you get is already ideal. If you sleep that extra hour, it could indicate that you are sleep deprived. Use Daylight Savings to help you change up your sleeping habits for the better.

3. Maximize sun exposure

For rest of the year and the beginning of the next year, the amount of sunlight you get will decrease since the sun will set earlier. Since getting sunlight is important for physical and mental health, finding ways to maximize your exposure can be vital. For example, instead of working out in the evening, try working out during the mornings.

4. Boost your indoor light

If you cannot change up your schedule to get more sunlight, try boosting your exposure to indoor lighting. When choosing a light therapy box, remember to pick the ones with blue light, which can boost your level of alertness. Follow the instructions carefully when using these devices. For the majority of them, just 20 minutes of blue light should be enough.

5. Adjust your children's schedule early

For those of you with children, changing up their sleeping schedule roughly one week before Daylight Savings can help. Children are more likely than adults to wake up at their normal time, which means that they will be up an hour early. In order to prevent them from waking up too early, slowly push back their sleeping schedule so that they end up waking at the desired time on Sunday.

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