Hey all,

Can we chat about the crazy thing that happens twice a year that makes us cranky, moody and tired?

The time when EVERYONE gets to know how it feels to be US on a daily basis. Daylights Savings Time is not ever a surprise and we know it’s coming but damn if it doesn’t creep up and bite you in the ass at 4pm when all you want to do is go to sleep.

My thing is why does it actually make you so tired losing an hour when we all have had way less nights of sleep? This just seems worse and hard to adjust too right?

Right now I work in hospitality. In one week I could work every damn shift they offer so my sleep rhythms are already messed up. Not sure it that’s an advantage to brag about but I guess I’ll take every bit of help.

I know that losing/gaining an hour and having sunsets and sunrises mess with sleep schedules and they are the least of our world problems but studies have shown it does take a toll on the body. It science people!

Here are a few things I found about the effects it can take on this thing called Google:

1. With Daylight Savings Time, between March and November, your body is exposed to less morning light and more evening light, which can throw off your circadian rhythm. When your internal clock is out of sync with the sun’s clock, you can feel tired in the morning and awake in the evening.

2. According to the American Heart Association, in addition to the fatigue, the transition can also affect your heart and brain. Hospital admissions for an irregular heartbeat pattern known as atrial fibrillation, as well as heart attacks and strokes, increase in the first few days of daylight saving time.

3. Losing an hour of afternoon daylight after setting the clocks back to standard time can trigger mental illness, including bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression. A Danish study found an 11% increase in depression cases after the time change.

4. A 2020 study found fatal traffic accidents increased by 6% in the United States during daylight saving time.

Then I found this gem…

Strange as it may seem, Daylight Saving Time might mean you find yourself in more serious legal trouble. According to a 2016 study from the Association for Psychological Science, judges hand out harsher sentences the day after the DST switch.

So basically if you get arrested the judge is going to be cranky like the rest of us so your fate is in the hands of a sleep deprived, moody judge. Good luck folks:) It’s going to get crazy out there.

So what can we do to stay safe and avoid the next plot for a disaster movie? Here are a few that I do:

1. Try and still get the same amount of sleep each and every night. I try and forget about what the clock says.I just need to know my body needs 6-7 hours of restful sleep. Try and get that the best you can. If you need to cancel plans just chill on the couch and go to bed accordingly.

2. Let the sunshine in and embrace it. If you have the Sunday off..get outside. Take a walk, be active, let that hot ball of fire get on your skin (with sunscreen of course) and know that the earth voodoo is helping sync your body into the new schedule.

3. If you do have to work the day after the change try and make it as light as you can. Some can, some can’t but either way be kind to your self. Drink water, have a zen moment in the bathroom if you need it. Today is not the day to tackle the worlds problems.

4. Take a nap. If you are truly going through it, it’s ok to take a short nap. Rest your eyes even. If you can just take 30 minutes to rest that short timeframe can boost you to get through the rest of the day. Anything longer may make you feel groggy.

Most people say it takes anywhere from 5-7 days to fully get into the new time change. So buckle up buttercup..we all know how to handle it but the rest of the “strong ones” it’s going to be a rough go for them.

So what do you think? Are you a fan or hate it or indifferent? I think it’s just the norm now and we all power though but do you think it’s a good idea to do away with it completely?

The big change happens Sunday March 10th at 2am. Make sure to set the clocks before bed and we will see on the flip side!

XOXO

Amy

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