This is a compensated post with Vicks. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
As much as I love the longer days of sunshine, I hate losing that one hour of sleep every year when Daylight Savings Time rolls around. Thankfully, my children have never really been affected by Daylight Savings Time, but me, I’m not so lucky. In previous years, it’s always been the same thing. Although I would only lose one hour of sleep, it felt like so much more and I would be so frustrated that I didn’t do more in preparing for Daylight Savings Time.
As someone who suffers from disrupted sleep, losing just one hour of sleep is a big deal! But I’m not the only one. According to a new survey conducted about Daylight Savings Time, “more than half of all US adults say their sleep is disrupted by Daylight Saving Time; for those that say they suffer from occasional sleeplessness, more than 60% cite Daylight Savings Time as a sleep disruptor.” The study also found that although we know it’s coming, “81% of US adults do nothing to prepare for the time change.“
So how do you prepare for the time change? Here are some tips for preparing for the time change! Springing forward should be an exciting time, and it can be when you’re prepared to lose an hour of sleep.
Prepare the week before: During the week leading up to Daylight Savings Time, move your bedtime up 30 minutes each night. The idea is to make sure you’re well rested and prepared to lose an hour of sleep. If you’re like me, that’s easier said than done. When I need occasional help falling asleep, I use ZzzQuil to help me fall asleep easily. It’s non-habit forming and it helps me to sleep soundly so that I wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to start the day.
Eat an early dinner: While you’re preparing for Daylight Savings Time, eat an early dinner each night. The purpose is to ensure that by the time you are ready to go to sleep you won’t feel bloated and sluggish when it’s time for you to lay down in bed at night.
Limit the use of caffeine: I know. Limit caffeine? What an AWFUL thing to do, but, it will help you fall asleep faster at night. As much as I love coffee and chocolate, I have to give it up when I’m preparing for Daylight Savings Time. I’d rather sacrifice my caffeine the week before, then have to deal with the grogginess and sleepiness the week after due to the loss of sleep.
Limit screen time before bed: I know. Another one. In a day and age where we always have screens in our face, it’s hard to set them down. But, if you want to fall asleep easily, put the screens away before bedtime. Instead, reach for a book, magazine or newspaper.
Daylight Savings Time is coming whether you are prepared or not! By preparing for Daylight Savings Time, you can get your body ready for the lost hour of sleep.
Also check out ZzzQuil on Facebook and Twitter for a fun ad campaign that aims to answer where that lost hour of sleep is going. It’s simple, leave a comment on ZzzQuil’s Twitter (@ZzzQuil) or Facebook page and tell them where you think that lost hour of sleep goes. They’ll be responding in a fun way. Sounds like it could be a good time, and worth your while!
Do you have any other tips for preparing for Daylight Savings Time?
Robin Masshole Mommy says
I like the way you think. I need to stock up on some of that. Daylight savings time is always an issue for me. I need all the sleep I can get and losing an hour is tough.
Jennifer @ Mom Spotted says
I didn’t even realize that was this weekend! Time is flying by! Can’t wait for winter to be over with!
Liz Mays says
Why does it always sneak up on us so darn fast? Figures that I’m flying within hours of the time change this year so I’m nervous!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I had no idea Daylight Savings Time was coming up. I’ll definitely be trying these tips. Daylight Savings has always been a pain for me.
Debbie Denny says
Almost forgot, Glad my tab will send me a reminder.
Liz Mays says
I don’t like losing that hour at all. It can take me weeks to catch up! I’ll start moving my bedtime up tonight!
lisa says
These are great tips. I love the extra light we get but I hate losing that hour of sleep!
Patranila says
I would gladly give up 10 hours of sleep for more daylight hours. Short Winter days are the bane of my existence and I do a happy dance as soon as the DST switch draws near. Woo hoo for sun!!
Michele says
Maybe just maybe now that Daylight savings time is almost back I will get back to normal. You see my CAT did not switch and she has been waking me up at what she thinks is midnight and driving me crazy at 4 pm thinking it is dinner time (5 pm). It will be so nice not to be harassed!!
Robin Gagnon says
I always dread the mornings the week f the change over, but love that I get an extra hour at the end of the day.
Jamie @ Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom says
Great ideas, I’m so ready for daylight savings time. If only the weather was ready too!
Catherine S says
These are all really great tips.I don’t do anything different. I do like it staying light later.
Jeanine says
Wow didn’t even know it was this weekend. Glad I read this lol! Usually time change isn’t so bad for us but last time my kids had a hard time! Great tips!
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
I have no tips. It always sneaks up on me so I never remember to gradually adjust sleeping times for me or the kids!
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
Those are great tips! I am not ready to Spring Forward already … but ready or not, here it is! I’ll try to go to bed a little earlier.
Marcie W. says
These are wonderful tips! I remember the nightmare that time changes used to cause with my kids but now that they are older it is not as bad. Instead I have a hard time waking up after the switch!
Chrysa says
I didn’t realize until yesterday that Daylight Savings Time starts this week. I’m so excited about it! I’m really happy that it occurs over the weekend so it’s a little easier to adjust.
Felissa @ Two Little Cavaliers says
Moving my bedtime up gradually sounds like a smart idea. Daylight savings time always throws me off.
Stacey- Travel Blogger says
I always have a hard time putting my phone up when it’s bed time. I will have to work on that.
Kandi says
I can’t believe it is time to do that already! The change never really bothers me much or my kids. But these are great tips for getting more sleep in general!
Caitlin says
I had no idea this was coming up – and I am the worst about my phone. I have to stop bringing it to bed with me.
Michelle F. says
Those are all such great ideas. I never make special preparations during DST and it’s probably why I am always tired.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
It’s that whole limit screen time before bed thing that does me in. I tend to get writing when the world is all asleep and everything is super quiet. Like right now it is after 4 am and I have to do some research for a post I’m working on and I still have to optimize images too!
Rosey says
I’m not a fan of spring ahead, but I am a fan of Spring, so bring it! 🙂 I like your tips. 🙂
Jeannette says
My kids REALLY struggle any time the time changes. They are on such a strict schedule that it’s so hard for them to adjust. I’ll try some of these tips and hopefully it will make the transition easier.
Jacqui says
These are great tips. I am ready for daylight savings time.
Ellen ThatChicMom says
Those are great tips and all things we do. I find it takes up about a week to fully transition, the hunger at changed meal times is always hard!
Scott says
I just make sure we don’t have anything going on the next morning so we can sleep in!
Ellen Christian says
My husband has trouble sleeping. Changing the time definitely does make it more difficult for him. Thanks for the suggestions.
Emily says
I didn’t remember Daylight Savings time was coming up! Thanks for the reminder!
Ann Bacciaglia says
These are great tips for adjusting to the time change. I will have to try a few og these. The last time change took me a while to adjust to.
Lena says
I dread this change – i think my body gets so confused and I never thought of preparing ahead of time
Christie says
These are wonderful tips! I have to set like 10 reminders!
Michelle says
I’ve been looking forward to daylight savings time because I love having more daylight later in the day. But, it always screws up my sleep schedule. I’ll definitely have to try out some of your awesome tips!
Debra says
Ugh. Not looking forward to it! Great tips!
katrina g says
last sunday I woke up thinking it was the day to spring forward. i laughed when i realiezed i was a week early.
Mary O'Malley says
Woah, I didn’t realize day light savings time was so near. I guess so, where does the time go?
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
I had to put it on my calendar a few weeks ago so I would not forget to set the clocks. I’ve never really been one who gets bothered by the time change.
Debbie L. says
Thanks for the tips – I really like Day Light Savings time. Seems really early this year since the ground still has about a foot of snow!
Micah at Five Stat Tots says
Moving the bedtime up 30 minutes really help. I have tried this time and time again every year and I am proof it makes the transition a lot easier. I’ll probably add some of the other tips to make it a smoother transition.
Candy o says
Crazy that DST is happening on Sunday! Time sure is flying. I’ll have to pick up some Zzz’quil!
Melinda@LookWhatMomFound...andDadtoo says
I hate loosing an hour of sleep. I’ll have to prepare better this time