Daylight Savings Time 2016: Tips for Transitioning Smoothly
On Sunday, Daylight Savings 2016 officially started in majority of states around the United States and with the confusing and sometimes frustrating effects that the time shifting offers, some experts suggest a number of tips to help ease the transition.
The practice is exercised every year but still, a lot of people complain of the sleep-wake cycles that most often than not, cause fatigue. A person's body clock has to adjust whenever time shifts and this transition may have negative impacts on one's health.
Also called "Spring Forward," the practice is even more difficult for people who have existing sleep issues and according to Medical Xpress, Dr. Yosef Krespi, director of the Center for Sleep Disorders at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City says, "Individuals with pre-existing sleep conditions such as insomnia or sleep apnea will have even more difficulties in adjusting to the change."
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For Krespi, there are some effective ways to help people transition to Daylight Savings Time easier. He suggests limiting intake of food before bedtime. More importantly, he also recommends limiting the use of electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets for at least an hour before going to bed.
For those who feel sleep calling them to rest after the time shift, he recommends taking a nap in the afternoon though he says it is best to take only about 30 minutes or less napping. As for children who go to bed later than usual due to the time change, he says it is best to allow them to sleep through in the morning so they can get the normal amount of sleep that they usually get before the clock switch.
Amy Ables, a program therapist at Senior Life Solutions, suggests more exposure to sunlight in the morning. According to KIMT, she says one can expose himself to sunlight through eating by the window as this helps in the transition period. She adds that morning activities such as gardening and other outdoor exercises are also helpful not only during Daylight Savings Time transition but daily as they help release serotonin, which has positive benefits to one's health.
Daylight Savings Time started on Sunday, March 13, 2016, and ends on Sunday, November 6, 2016.
