Time to spring forward to Daylight Savings time!
A bedtime story: In 1784, a revolutionary man named Benjamin Franklin proposed a plan to get people to enjoy more sunlight and save money on candles by changing the clocks. Wah La, Daylight Savings Time (DST) was born. Spring forward to 2016, and we find the time change more of a nuisance than a benefit.
Who uses candles as electricity anyway?
The good news: time to swap puffy coats for a light jacket. The bad news: readjusting our body for the time change. It’s time to eliminate the negative and push our sleep and clocks forward.
We’re ready for more sunshine and making sure the body is readjusted and ready for Daylight Savings Time. Let’s leap forward with 10 sleep hacks for surviving Daylight Savings Time.
10 Hacks for surviving Daylight Savings Time
• Gradually transition into the time change – To minimize the impact of the switch to DST, make gradual adjustments starting a few days before. Go to bed 15 minutes early, starting Thursday before the clock change. Make an extra effort to stay well-rested.
• Give yourself a sleep break – If you’re feeling sleepy after the time change, don’t be afraid to take an afternoon power nap – not too close to bedtime.
• Know how much sleep you need – Not everyone needs the same amount of shut-eye. To find out your ideal sleep time, shut down the alarm on the weekend and see what time you wake up.
• Keep your sleep routine intact – Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Sticking to your sleep routine will help your body regulate your sleep pattern. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time on the weekends.
• Get physical – An active lifestyle can do wonders for your body during the time change. On Saturday and Sunday morning, put on the jogging shoes and take a stroll around the block and expose yourself to the sun.
• Avoid stimulating substances – Alcohol, caffeine and tobacco are all substances that will ruin your sleep for the night, especially when changing your clock. Avoid these substances 2 hours before hitting the hay – especially on Saturday night.
• Create a sleep sanctuary – Transform your bedroom into a quiet, dark and cool space. Your bedroom is for sleeping, not for playing board games and eating. Creating a quiet sleep space will allow you to get shut-eye and reset your body clock.
• Set a bedtime ritual – Start unwinding for the night 1 hour before getting into bed. Take a warm bath, enjoy a glass of milk or read a chapter of your favorite book. Avoid using your gadgets, it’s time to relax, not check emails.
• Can’t sleep? Get up – We’ve all had nights when we shut down our racing minds and just sleep. Avoid watching the clock and simply take a stroll around your bedroom or rehydrate.
• Eat lightly before bed – Whether dinner wasn’t satisfying or you’re craving those spicy tacos in the fridge, stay away from the midnight snacking. Your body takes longer to digest spicy and fatty foods, which can cause insomnia. For better sleep, chow down on some almonds or bananas.
The best way to avoid this dreaded time change (or any of the negative health effects) is to prioritize sleep and continue to do so – before the next time change makes its reappearance in a few months.
Spring forward with quick brunch recipes
For those of us that love our sleep, it’s the most dreaded morning of the year when we dream away an hour of snooze time. The good news: We’ve put together 2 great brunch recipes that can be put together in a snap.
Open-face bacon & egg sandwiches with arugula
Ingredients
• 5 bacon slices, halved crosswise
• 1 4-inch square ciabatta or focaccia bread, halved horizontally
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 4 large thin tomato slices
• 1 small shallot, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 cup (packed) arugula
• 2 large eggs
• Parmesan cheese shavings
Showtime
Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp; transfer to paper towels to drain. Wipe out skillet. Brush cut sides of bread with 1 tablespoon oil. Place bread, cut sides down, in skillet. Cook over medium heat until golden, about 3 minutes. Place 1 bread square, golden side up, on each of 2 plates. Top each with half of bacon, then 2 tomato slices. Whisk 1 tablespoon oil, shallot, and vinegar in medium bowl to blend. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Add arugula and toss to coat. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Crack eggs into skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until whites are set and yolks are cooked as desired. Top each bread stack with egg, then arugula and cheese.
Coconut blueberry smoothie
Ingredients
• 1½ cups fresh (or frozen, thawed) blueberries
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon (or more) fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon (or more) honey
Showtime
Purée blueberries, coconut milk, mint, lime juice, honey, and 1 cup ice in a blender until smooth. Add more lime juice and honey, if desired.
