Set up for a smooth sleep transition

Who doesn’t love an extra hour of tuck-in time? In ten days we will all be indulging in a coveted extra hour of jammies and cuddling as we shift our waking times to meet Old Man Winter but the post time-change glow won’t last forever. A little pre-planning and November 6 can bring you a renewed sense of vitality – instead of a case of the grumpies.

Interesting Daylight Savings facts:

• Heart attacks rates drop in the weeks immediately following the November time change

• For up to a week after the autumn time shift people feel more rested and report a better mood

• Night owls adjust well to the autumn time change – but have more difficulty when the clock springs ahead.

• Germany became the first European country to try DST in April of 1916, in order to conserve energy during wartime.

• The continent of Antarctica has a whopping 24 time zones but the continuous daylight of summer and continuous dark in the winter doesn’t lend itself to sun-based time periods so research stations keep the same time as their home countries, in order to co-ordinate work, communication, and shipping schedules.

Your healthy sleep plan for the ‘fall-back’

Thankfully, the fall time shift is easier on our bodies than its springtime counterpart.  We feel more rested in the mornings and yet are tired enough to fall asleep when it’s time to tuck in. But that doesn’t mean that our bodies won’t face some challenges getting used to the new regime.

• Starting on the Monday before the time shift, go to bed ten minutes earlier each day to gradually move your bedtime to post daylight saving hours

• Draw your blinds and curtains before you go to bed in the week leading up to the time shift to create a darker waking period

• Use daylight savings as a time-marker to give your boudoir an annual comfort review. Check your mattress, bedding and pillows for signs of wear – and pad your sleep retreat for great winter nights when replacements are needed

• Follow healthy sleep hygiene to keep bedtimes smooth

Ready for a new mattress? Considering a latex sleep system?

Visit our Healthy Sleep Center for more information.

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