The end of Daylight Saving Time tends to be more exciting than the beginning, since we gain an extra hour of sleep. "Falling back" can be helpful in many
ways, including our daily schedules. The slight shift of the clock means the sun will rise earlier in the mornings, which can make it easier to get
up in the morning, but it can also throw off your routine for a couple days, too. Gaining back this hour doesn't have to affect your sleep schedule.
Here are four easy things you and your family can do to ease into the end of Daylight Saving Time:
1.Take advantage of the extra hour – One of the best parts of the end of daylight saving time is getting an extra hour of sleep on Nov. 1, but don’t let that convince you to stay up later than normal. Going to bed at your typical bedtime on Oct. 31 will help minimize the impact on your sleep schedule.
2.Use shades or invest in blackout shades – If you have little ones, you know how important a sleep routine is to them. So if you have early risers, the time change won’t be doing you any favors. To make sure they stick to their wake-up times, use blackout shades to keep them snoozing soundly until their usual wake-up time.
3.Create the sleep routine you’ve always wanted – The best opportunity to adjust your daily routine is in times of change. If you’ve been trying to wake up earlier in the morning to not be as rushed, go to the gym or just have extra time to get the family ready, now is your chance! The morning sky will be lighter a little earlier, making it easier to get up and kick your day off right.
4.Get light exposure after waking up – A great habit to get into, regardless of daylight saving time, is to get natural light exposure right away in the morning. It can be as easy as opening the blinds when you wake up in the morning.
The changing colors and upcoming holidays make the fall season an exciting time. But if you or a loved one is struggling to sleep well throughout the night, regardless of the season, we encourage you to reach out to a doctor at Iowa Sleep by sending us a question. We can help you identify the reasons you may not be sleeping well and get you on the path to sleeping better each night to wake you ready to take on another day.