Did you know that Daylight Saving Time originated in 1908 in London? The idea was pitched to the British Parliament by William Willet, a British builder, but was turned down. It wasn’t until Germany heard about this concept during World War I–and wanted to save money–and enacted Daylight Saving Time in 1915. Three weeks later, the British followed suit; three years later, in 1918, the United States also jumped on board.
Another fun fact! Many people are under the assumption that Daylight Saving Time was created by farmers, but the inspiration for its (initial) creation was to reduce the burning of candle wax–these days, reducing energy consumption is cited as one of the main reasons we still enact this practice. But if you’ve ever been affected by the time change that occurs with Daylight Saving Time, you’re not alone. Check out these tips to make your daylight saving transition a breeze.
Maintain Consistency During the Day
When the time changes, you may wake up groggy, feel sluggish throughout the day and be more wired in the evenings, but giving in to these temporary effects can make transitioning harder. Instead, do your best to maintain your normal daily schedule by eating and exercising at the same times that you usually do–just keep in mind that physical activity can raise your body’s core temperature, making it difficult to fall asleep. To avoid this, simply space out these activities with plenty of time before bed to make falling asleep easier.
Implement a Healthy Nightly Routine
If you don’t already have a nightly ritual before bed, Daylight Saving Time is the perfect time to implement one–and doing so can be very beneficial. Something that should be top priority is dimming the lights and reducing loud noises an hour before bed–this will help help slow your body down and lead to a happier, healthier night’s sleep. Another benefit? A peaceful sleep can also make it easier to get up in the morning and can help you adjust to getting up at a different time.
No Naps!
Mid-day naps always sound nice, but they can have a negative impact on us during time change periods. When we nap, sleep modules in our brain reset–making it harder for our bodies to fall asleep later that night. Instead of shutting your eyes, try stepping outside in the sunlight–this will stimulate your body with vitamin D and keep your inner clock functioning normally.
As one of the most well-respected groups in the Philadelphia region, Abington Medical Specialists brings the latest, state-of-the-art cardiovascular care to our patients. Understanding the rapid growth of cardiology, our physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are lifelong learners on the “cutting edge” of cardiovascular medicine. Our mission is to treat patients with the respect, empathy and professionalism that they deserve. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians!
