How to Prepare for the Start and End of Daylight Saving Time

When is Daylight Saving Time?

Although the clock shifts only one hour at a time, this abrupt time change can cause meaningful sleep disruptions. Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source The shift to daylight saving time in March, in particular, can lead to reduced sleep quantity and quality. Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source The end of DST in November may not disrupt sleep as much, but some sleep-deprived people falsely assume the extra hour will reduce sleep debt Trusted Source American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) AASM sets standards and promotes excellence in sleep medicine health care, education, and research. View Source when long-term sleep adjustments are usually needed instead.

Preparing for the Start of Daylight Saving Time

Because the switch to daylight saving time happens at a set time each year, you have the opportunity to prepare in advance, so that it’s less likely to harm your health. Several practical steps can improve your sleep on the weekend of the time change and enhance your sleep habits over the long-term.

Gradually Adjust Your Schedule

You can get ready to “spring forward” in March by gradually shifting your schedule in the week leading up to the time change. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises trying to slowly adjust your schedule Trusted Source American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) AASM sets standards and promotes excellence in sleep medicine health care, education, and research. View Source by going to bed around 15-20 minutes earlier each day.

The timing of other daily activities, such as meals and exercise, can also be gradually adjusted forward. By making these changes gradually over the week before the time change, you begin daylight saving time having already started to acclimate to the new time on the clock.

Sleep Well Beforehand

An important step in preparing for daylight saving time is obtaining quality sleep in the nights leading up to the time change. If you enter the daylight saving weekend already sleep deprived, it’s more likely you’ll have significant ill-effects Trusted Source American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) AASM sets standards and promotes excellence in sleep medicine health care, education, and research. View Source in response to the time change.

In addition, receiving extra sleep beforehand can help you build up a “sleep bank” to better cope with the switch to daylight saving time. Studies have found that banking sleep before short periods of reduced sleep can decrease cognitive impairment Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and help preserve motor skills Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Having built up a reserve of extra sleep may also reduce your sleep drive, making it easier to stay awake during the day and avoid involuntarily dozing off.

Consider Relaxation Techniques

At any time of year, relaxation methods, ranging from basic deep breathing to mindfulness meditation, can bring calm to your mind and body and make it easier to smoothly transition into sleep.

In the week before the shift to daylight saving time, you can apply these techniques as you gradually adjust your bedtime earlier. Relaxation methods may also come in handy if you find that you’ve woken up in the middle of the night.

“When dealing with disruptions to your circadian rhythm, melatonin can be helpful to get things back on track when used in consultation with your doctor.”

Dr. Dustin Cotliar

Sleep Medicine Physician, MD

Set Your Clocks Before Bed

Although the time change doesn’t officially occur until 2 a.m., set your watch and household clocks to the new time before you go to bed. This helps you hit the ground running and avoid any timing mishaps on Sunday.

Most cell phones and electronic devices automatically update to daylight saving time overnight. If your devices aren’t set to update the time automatically, make sure to adjust them before bed.

Prioritize Daylight Exposure

Light is the central driver of circadian rhythm, so finding time for daylight exposure on the days following the change to daylight saving time can help your body’s internal clock acclimate to the new timing of light and dark.

Natural light has the most powerful effect Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source on our bodies’ circadian rhythm. Even on a cloudy day, natural light provides more of the illumination that works to align circadian rhythm than artificial indoor lighting does.

To decrease sleep disruptions after the switch to daylight saving time, make a plan to go outside, ideally in the morning, and receive sun exposure on the Sunday after the time change. If you live in a cold climate that makes being outside difficult, open your curtains and sit near a window to take in a meaningful dose of natural light.

Take Precautions in Case of Sleep Disruption

With the right preparation, you can reduce the chances that you’ll suffer sleeping problems because of the switch to daylight saving time. Nevertheless, it’s wise to try to take precautionary measures in case your sleep is affected.

Try not to overload your schedule on the Sunday or Monday after the time shift in case you’re experiencing daytime sleepiness. If possible, schedule important meetings or events for later in the week when you’ve had more time to adjust. It’s also best to avoid long drives right after the time change because of the potential dangers of drowsy driving.

Upgrade Your Sleep Hygiene

It’s much easier to receive consistent sleep if you have healthy habits and a bedroom environment that is conducive to sleep. These are known collectively as sleep hygiene, and upgrading your sleep hygiene can pay dividends during daylight saving time and throughout the year.

Although there are many components of healthy sleep hygiene, some important elements to consider include:

• Maintaining a fixed sleep schedule on both weekdays and weekends
• Keeping a stable routine to get ready for bed each night
• Limiting or avoiding caffeine and alcohol, especially in the afternoon and evening
• Going “device free” for at least 30 minutes before bed
• Blocking out unwanted noise and light from your bedroom and/or using accessories like a sleep mask and ear plugs
• Choosing a supportive mattress and comfortable bedding

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating well is vital for overall health, and proper nutrition is tied to sleep as well. Although no single diet has been proven to be the best for sleep, balanced diets made up of lots of fruits and vegetables tend to provide the nutrients the body needs and have been associated with better sleep.

Other ways to prevent food-related sleep disruptions include:

• Eat dinner at least a few hours before going to bed
• Limit consumption of heavy and spicy foods in the evening
• Be mindful of caffeine in beverages, including sodas

Take a Short Nap if Necessary

If you find yourself grappling with significant daytime sleepiness in the days after switching to daylight saving time, a short nap may be beneficial. Keeping a nap under 30 minutes can boost your alertness while reducing grogginess after waking up.

Naps are best in the early afternoon when most people experience a dip in wakefulness. Avoid naps that are too late in the afternoon or evening because they can make it harder to fall asleep at night, exacerbating misalignment of your sleep schedule.

Preparing for the End of Daylight Saving Time

At 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, DST comes to an end and the time “falls back” by one hour. Since you gain an extra hour – rather than losing – one the end of DST is not associated with the same level of sleep disruptions as the beginning of DST in March. That said, the end of DST can still affect circadian rhythm and people may struggle to adjust their wake-up times Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source for up to a week after falling back.

Many people feel refreshed and more alert thanks to this extra hour of sleep. However, those who are chronically sleep-deprived cannot erase their total sleep debt after one night. The end of DST can be an opportunity to improve your sleep habits and get an adequate amount of rest each night.