We are on the second straight day of non stop rain. The farmers are delighted as we are no longer considered to be in a drought situation, just ‘abnormally dry.’ It is 48 degrees right this very minute in time in the heart of central Illinois. I am delighted because the snow is all gone except for places where it has been piled up. Life is good.
Well, life is good. I was able to get out of bed this morning. The part that isn’t so good is the time change to daylight savings time. I really hate that!! I am a morning person and I could care less if it stays light an extra hour in the evening. And here is something I didn’t know but I do believe. Semi-annual 1-hour change linked to increase in heart attacks, more traffic fatalities, etc.
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Academic research shows that losing an hour of daylight can be linked to negative effects on both the mind and body, including disturbed sleep patterns,
How to adjust to the time change
- Take advantage of the opportunity to get an extra hour of sleep. Don’t stay up later in anticipation of the time change.
- Eat healthy and keep hydrated. Avoid caffeinated beverages, since too much caffeine can further disrupt your natural sleep rhythm.
- Increase your exposure to bright light and physical activity during the day until late afternoon/early evening to help compensate for the overall reduction of daylight hours.
- Get your daily dose of Vitamin D. The two best ways to get the Vitamin D you need are to get adequate sun exposure (15 to 30 minutes per day in summer/southern regions — it's very difficult to get enough exposure in winter in northern regions because of reduced UV levels), or to take vitamin D supplements.
- Drivers should be extra alert — pull over if you're driving and feel drowsy. The only cure for sleepiness is sleep. Opening the window or turning up the radio are not effective ways to stay awake.
- Use this clock-change weekend as an opportunity to make home safety checks. Check and replace batteries in home smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
I hope the sun is shining wherever you are! Stay safe and be happy!!
Beth
Thank you for these tips on how to adjust to the time change!!
ReplyDeleteI am a morning person, too, but I do like the longer days once the weather is nice. Love all your tips. Today we have freezing rain and fog and snowiness. UGH. I am so ready for Spring- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteLots of rain here too! Still have snow but it's going down!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
i have a hard time with this time change. the one in fall is much friendlier! :)
ReplyDeletecongrats on the rain!!!
One thing that bugged me a bit about living in rural Illinois was that the farmers were always complaining that there was a drought, or that it was raining too much. They never said, Oh look, the sun is shining, the weather is great, let's all be happy. I'm glad I don't live near farmers now.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I have the utmost respect for our farmers, not only in Illinois but all across the country. Where would we be without them?
DeleteThis was a great post. I agree about respecting farmers. They are the salt of the earth.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, I don't like the time change either!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy son in Kansas City called me this morning after I was at church. I thought it must be important, so I stepped out to answer. He whined, "WHAT TIME IS IT?!!" When in doubt, call MOM :) Gotta love that daylight savings time!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things about living in Arizona is not having to deal with time changes. Hope you can catch up on your lost hour!
ReplyDeleteHere in central Alberta, the time change is welcome because it is light until 11:00 PM in mid summer. I guess it is to compensate for the long darkness in the winter, gets dark at 4:00 PM in late December. Either way (time change) is no problem for me.
ReplyDeleteI detest the time change. AlWays have, always will.
ReplyDeleteI am not a morning person and I don't like the time change.
ReplyDeleteWe had rain yesterday that melted a lot of snow. Then it froze overnight so everything is slippery today and there is still a lot of snow left.
I have the utmost respect for farmers. Who else would feed us.
Happy for your rain! I don't care for this hour change. Thanks for the tips.:)
ReplyDeleteOh dear. Well, I adore the time change and they could leave it this way. When I worked there were days on end when I never saw daylight. I really loved DST then. Do you know Auntie of Auntie Sezzz? The two of you would love chatting about your dislike of DST. ☺
ReplyDeleteYes the sun is shining and it is a wonderful day outside I have even ventured out for a short trip to the shops and will have to pop out to get the washing on the line when it is finished which will be a while since I only just remembered to put it on......
ReplyDeleteFarmers are the backbone of this country...without them we would all starve. Mother Nature plays havoc with their planting an harvesting seasons...and that is why it is the toughest job in the world to be a farmer. I had nothing but respect for them.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I want to add that I despise this time change. I was falling asleep all day long at work and finally left an hour early to go home and sleep. My body wants to stay up until 1 am now, and doesn't want to get up until 10 am. Why can't they leave it one way or the other?
My that weather is cold....I love daylight saving time...don't mind that change times either...we will change to normal time 1st Sunday in April I think!
ReplyDeleteGood tips Beth, our time change last Sunday of the Month of March. I to much prefer the Mornings anytime not a night Owl that's for sure. Very cold today -1c with a biterly cold wind.
ReplyDeleteHugs Sheila
Well that explains why I was driving like a crazy person this morning and have been all stressed out! Isn't the time change thing eventually going away?
ReplyDeleteI like the getting an extra hour but not losing. lol
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you on the time change...it hit me hard today for some reason...ugh, tired!
ReplyDeleteCutting a foot off the bottom of a blanket and sewing on to the top, won't make it any longer. says an old Indian, and how right, I like mornings as long as they are bright and sunny., and if our farmers, or anyone else talks about a drought this year, I will personally dunk them in the nearest stream.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that the time change has a bad affect on our bodies, especially as we grow older and it's much more difficult to adjust....to anything!!! ;-) HOPE you have a great day!
ReplyDeleteLots of good advice here Beth the time change does take a toll. B
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