HEALTH

Spring is just around the corner, which also means that daylight savings time is almost here. Moving things forward an hour (and losing an hour of sleep, ugh) might seem like a small change, but it can still be super tough for your schedule and your body's internal clock to adjust. That's why it's key to make sure you're ready for the transition. Looking for ways to put that extra spring in your step—and in your sleep schedule—this szn? We have you covered with our tried-and-true tips!

Keep your sleep schedule consistent

The easiest way to adjust to this time change? By keeping things consistent, ofc. And starting a few days beforehand will speed up the process. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—this will help your body keep up a regular sleep pattern and make you feel extra well-rested. You could even take things one step further by doing this on the weekends, too. Now, instead of sleeping in on a Sunday and having to push all of those tasks on your to-do list back a few hours, you'll have more time to bake some treats for the week or squeeze in a good workout. You'll be *so* ready to take on the week—and come Monday morning, you won't even need to hit that "snooze" button.

Spend time outdoors

One of the best things about spring is the opportunity to spend more time enjoying the sunshine—and that can positively impact your sleep schedule, too. Natural light has a *huge* effect on your circadian rhythms (basically, your "built-in body clock"), so making some time in your daily schedule to get outdoors will help combat the tiredness that often comes with a time change. Plus, being outside during the day can also block the production of melatonin, a hormone that usually releases at night to help you sleep. So grab your besties for a golden-hour bike ride or take your dog for a walk after school—you'll def be glad you did!

Get some exercise

It might be tough to get motivated, but there are allll kinds of benefits to engaging in some exercise—and they're so worth it. Raising your energy levels, boosting your mood and improving your sleep are all great advantages to exercising! According to the Mayo Clinic, exercising regularly can help you fall asleep faster, increase your quality of sleep and deepen your sleep. Whether it's heading to a spin class with your mom or doing some yoga at home, make sure you plan your workouts for at least a few hours before you turn in for the night. Then, you'll have plenty of time to wind down!

Revamp your napping habits 

We've all been there: you just got home from school, and you're in the middle of prepping for your physics exam or catching up on the latest episode of Abbott Elementary when suddenly, you find yourself drifting off to sleep. Before you know it, your parents are calling you to come downstairs for dinner and you got next to nothing done (oops). Sometimes, taking those naps during the day can actually make you more tired, and also lead to struggles with falling asleep at night. On the other hand, a quick power nap (between 20 and 30 minutes) can help you feel more refreshed, energized and totally ready to tackle whatever you have planned. There's no better time to revamp your napping habits and figure out what works best for you—so you can be as productive as possible *and* catch some much-needed zzz's.

Cut down on screen time before bed

So, we're all kind of addicted to our phones. But even the speediest of scrollers have to unplug every once in a while—especially before bed. OK, maybe you just *have* to watch all of those TikToks your BFF sent you earlier or make up an excuse to text your crush about tonight's math homework, but it's super important to try to disconnect about an hour before you go to bed. The blue light given off by your phone, computer or TV will trick your brain into thinking it's time to stay up for longer, which is def not helpful for resetting your body's clock. If you're *really* struggling to stay away from the screens, try using your device's night mode feature, lowering the brightness or wearing blue light glasses. That way, your scrolling won't interfere with your sleep!

Try out any of these tips? Let us know on Twitter @girlslifemag!

All GIFs via GIPHY

by Samara Smukler | 3/12/2023