The end of daylight savings time marks the beginning of shorter days, longer nights, and a colder season. On November 6, the clocks will fall back. While that extra hour of sleep may sound great to some people, many seniors find themselves struggling with the change in schedule alongside overall cooler weather.
Are you trying to prepare for the end of daylight savings time? Try some of these important strategies from Senior Helpers Charleston.
1. Adjust Your Schedule Slowly, if Possible
You may not want to simply jump into bed an hour later the night daylight savings time begins; and if you're used to waking at a certain time, you may find that your body does not necessarily adjust automatically to the changing clock. Consider adjusting your sleep schedule by 15 minutes at a time in the days leading up to and following the shift away from daylight savings time.
2. Make Sure You Arrange to Spend Plenty of Time Outside During Daylight
Seasonal affective disorder impacts as many as 3% of the general population. Even for Charleston or James Island residents who do not suffer from SAD, which can lead to greater feelings of lethargy and depression during the winter months, shorter days can trigger more feelings of isolation, loneliness, or sadness. By prioritizing time outside or time in the sun, you can help stave off those symptoms and keep yourself healthier during those cold winter months.
3. Make Sure You Change All Your Clocks on Time
It can be tempting to ignore less-used clocks, especially since many digital clocks now adjust themselves automatically. Make sure, however, that you take the time to adjust your clocks the night before daylight savings time ends. Go through your home and change all your clocks at the same time. That will make it easy to ensure that all your clocks are set accurately. You may also want to change the clock in your car at the same time.
4. Expect Some Sleep Disruption, and Plan Accordingly
Even though the end of daylight savings time means gaining an hour of sleep, you may find yourself dealing with sleep disruptions and challenges in the days after the switch. Make sure to be gentle with yourself. Allow more time to get things done, or nap during the day, if needed, to help keep up with normal sleep and ensure you are as well-rested as possible. If you know that you're particularly sensitive to the change in time, arrange for someone to come in and help with any tasks you may need extra assistance with. By preparing ahead, you can often make it much more likely that you will safely navigate the switch to daylight savings time.
Prepare for the End of Daylight Saving Time on November 6
As colder weather sets in across the James Island and Charleston area, you may find yourself struggling more to take care of tasks around the house or manage basic self-care tasks. Contact Senior Helpers Charleston today to learn more about how we can help you with many of those tasks, including the transition away from daylight savings time.