Ways to Stay Happy and Energized After the Time Change

Any change can take time to get used to, and adjusting to a time change is no different. Whether you prefer longer days or shorter days, the end of daylight saving time means that you have to reset and maybe even refresh.

Cozier weather and less light outside can be a gentle reminder to slow down and take care of yourself more, according to yahoo!creaters. While you navigate the changes, new sleep schedule and new routines (like eating dinner earlier or spending more time indoors), these new changes can make a big difference in your life. Below are some ways you can use the time change to make a positive difference that brings more balance to your life.

Finding the Bright Side of the Darker Days
When you are adjusting to a new time change, you might decide to do it from one day to the next, instead of trying to adjust really fast. And although one hour may not seem like much of a difference, it does affect your body and your circadian rhythm, and shifting gradually might help you adjust to your natural rhythm again.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, your circadian rhythm is your body’s natural and internal 24 hour clock. It is the way your body knows when to be awake and when to sleep. Elements like light and darkness affect your circadian rhythm, which is why a clock change definitely does something to you. So a gradual shift might be a more gentle and caring way to treat your body, starting to wind down slowly a bit earlier each night.

Because nighttime comes earlier, you might naturally want to start heading to bed earlier anyway. If you do this, you might catch some extra light hours in the morning. This gives you, CNET reports, the bright sunshine that you need to stay alert throughout the day. You basically get the best of both worlds.

A Time to Recharge
Change can sometimes be inconvenient, but it is also an opportunity. It can be a time to rest, recharge, and refocus. Every new time can be a chance for a new you, an opportunity to make changes that you otherwise might not have thought of. Life moves in cycles, and the clock change can be a beautiful reminder of that.

For instance, reducing caffeine intake can help you sleep more deeply and wake up feeling more refreshed. Cutting back can improve the quality of your rest, which makes it even easier to adjust to the new schedule and give you a better night’s sleep.

So as you adjust to the new time change and whichever other changes you may want to incorporate during the cold weather months, find the joy and positive aspects of the shorter days and longer nights. Remember that although the days are darker, there is still time for you to shine.