Adjusting to Daylight Savings Time in the Fall

Many of us love the time change when we get to "Fall back" for daylight savings time because it means we get to have one extra hour of sleep. However, this transition can actually slow you down in the long run having an effect on your mood and productivity within the days to follow. Disrupting your natural sleep pattern can have negative health effects such as an increased risk of suffering a heart attack. An extra hour of sleep may make you drowsy and impact you for days to follow.

The daylight savings transition can make you crabby, snappy, irritable and moody. People who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be even more affected. SAD is a disorder which makes the sufferer depressed when they aren't exposed to much sunlight. This becomes even worse during ht winter months when days are shorter.

Even if you don't suffer from SAD, it is natural for people who are exposed to more sunlight to be generally happier. Make sure every day you are getting enough sun. Go for a walk in the morning as the sun rises to feel refreshed and awake. Take your dog for a walk or go out with your kids to play after school or work. Just being outside on your way to and from work is not enough. Getting involved in outdoor activities will improve your overall health as well as help you adjust to the time change.

It's also important to get ready for daylight savings a few days prior by making small changes in your habits. Try going to bed 15 minutes later than usual, hence waking up 15 minutes later as well. If you're concerned about having less time to get ready for work, there are several things you can do to make up for this time. You could get your work clothes ready the night before and lay them out, or eat a breakfast that doesn't require much cooking.

On Friday night, go to bed a half an hour earlier and wake up a half an hour later on Saturday morning. The change will occur between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Go to bed 45 minutes later and wake up 45 minutes later as well. However, it will actually be an hour earlier even though the time won't reflect it. Then, when you go to work Monday morning, you will be all adjusted and the timing will be right.

Try not to use this time change as an opportunity to get an extra hour of sleep than you normally would have. It really can affect you for the following week. Getting more sleep than normal can make you drowsy, less alert and unproductive. There's actually an increased amount of car accidents and on the job injuries during this time. Don't rely on caffeine or energy drinks to make you more alert. That's artificial energy and won't help you. Make sure you get plenty of exposure to sunlight. Natural sunlight will help you feel awake and rejuvenated.

During daylight savings time changes, we have a habit of looking at the clock and telling ourselves the time is really an hour later or an hour earlier. Avoid doing this. The time is what it is and it's important to adjust yourself accordingly.