Losing an hour doesn’t mean you have to lose your mind. Yet, many of us often do once the clocks turn back. It’s normal. As we lose natural remedies that bring us joy: sunlight, sleep and routines, we tend to become barely functioning zombies who seek out a PM espresso or late night snack. But we still have the same 24 hours—even if it doesn’t feel like it. So here’s how you can make the most of your time once daylight savings hits.
Prep your body clock.
On the days leading up to dreaded DST, get your body ready for the time shift. The sun will be setting earlier, so its likely you’ll be feeling more tired. That’s because when the sun goes down your body physically pumps out melatonin which makes your brain and body go into sleep mode. So respect it. Hop into bed and pull up the duvet 30 minutes to an hour earlier than usual, so your body can get used to a new routine.
Your body will benefit from the extra Z’s but don’t forget to keep a routine in place. Routines help trigger the mind to prepare for what is coming. So, try to move up your dinner time, too. Gradually eat 10-15 minutes earlier each night until you’re sitting down about an hour earlier than you typically do in summer. This will give your body time to digest your delish din and prep itself for deeper sleep. Trust us, your AM self will thank you for the extra self-care.
Soak up some sun.
We’re all in the same sinking boat on this one. Once DST comes around, we’re leaving for work in darkness and coming home to it, too. Sorry babe, but we humans were not designed to live in such conditions. Sunlight, matters. It stimulates serotonin, which aids in deeper sleep, better moods and greater happiness. All of which are needed to ward off the long-day blues. So find time to bask in it for at least ten minutes every day. Whether you’re opening the sunroof on your commute in, or plastering your face against your office window…it doesn’t matter to us. All we’re prescribing is some Vitamin D. So, you chase some rays and watch your worries wash away.
Take care of you.
The darkness can play tricks on you. When you get home from work, just like any other day, you have a laundry list of things to do: dinner, ironing clothes, kids’ activities, family obligations, laundry…the list goes on and on. Yes, all these things have to get done, and they will. But, remember that it’s only 5pm – even if it’s pitch black out. So, instead of diving into the list of to-dos, carve out some self-care time for the first half an hour after work. Try taking a walk with a friend, watching an episode of your favorite show or hitting the gym for a quick sweat sesh. There are plenty of things you can do in 30 minutes, and none of them need to be cooking dinner at 5pm in pure darkness.
Supplement and enrich
With the clock change comes the coldest season: winter. For many, this dynamic duo can be discouraging – to say the least. Not only is your mood bound to ebb and flow, but so are your skin, hair, nails and overall energy. Vitamins are a great way to tackle these shifts, but you can also incorporate dietary changes. If you’re feeling run down, add Echinacea and Elderberry to boost natural immunity, and try incorporating more superfoods like berries, sweet potatoes and flaxseed to ward off any unwanted germs. Even add in the well-rounded Zinc to keep everything balanced and at bay. Avoid caffeine after 3pm and instead opt for more B12 or cruciferous veggies with dinner to boost natural energy.
As for our specialty: take a collagen powder and biotin to boost hydration and strengthen your hair, skin and nails. It will make a tremendous difference in your monthly mani and keep your nails strong and growing throughout the cooler months. So, speak with your physician and see what they rec, but make sure you are supplementing your body with all the goodies to get you through.
Don’t beat yourself up if you have days where the time just gets away and you can’t get off the couch. We have all been there, and will be there again. But don’t let one hour dictate all 24. Daylight savings is just another trick of the mind, and we have the power to overcome and get through this shift. So remember who you are, and remember that time is just something us humans made up. If all else fails, listen to Tom Hardy: “I was born in darkness, moulded by it.” Get after it, ladies.