It’s only an hour, but it can take a toll on our sleep memory, clarity, energy and mood. These simple tips will help you tackle the grogginess and wake up like a champ.
What’s ideal?
Going to bed a little earlier each night about a week BEFORE the spring time change. But…since the clocks spring forward in less than 48 hours (from the time of this writing), we’ll focus on what to do after daylight savings starts.
Sleep Hygiene!
It’s highly important any time of the year, but especially now. Creating an atmosphere that promotes sleep in your bedroom can help you achieve the most productive night of sleep:
- Keep the temperature cool.
- Keep the room dark and quiet.
- Make your room a device-free oasis.
- Turn off all electronics at least one hour before bedtime.
- Sleep with a sleep mask.
- Get up and go to bed about the same time every day, even on the weekends.
Stop eating 3 hours before bedtime.
If the body is too busy digesting food to go into precious deep, restorative sleep, you will definitely feel it in the morning (and it may wake you up in the middle of the night too.)
Reduce caffeine.
It’s tempting to reach for that first, second and third cup to offset the tiredness, but caffeine keeps your body wired, even up to 10 hours after you’ve sipped it.
Get exposure to morning light.
Getting in the sun, even for a 10 minutes in the morning, will help regulate your internal clock.
Relaxation techniques!
There is nothing woo -woo about this one. Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or listening to a sleepy-time meditation can do wonders to calm the mind and body.
Wake up to light.
Invest in an alarm clock that also simulates morning light.
