30 Healthy Tricks for Resetting Your Sleep During Daylight Saving Time

TRY THESE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME SLEEP TIPS TO BOUNCE BACK FROM LOSING AN HOUR.

Daylight Saving Time, the period beginning in March and ending in November when we set our clocks ahead or back a full hour, is great for those who can't imagine a life without ample sunlight—and a major burden to those who find themselves struggling to sleep because of it. Daylight Saving Time "is a bit of a change to our 24-hour internal clock, our circadian rhythm," says certified sleep science coach Bill Fish, founder of sleep information site Tuck.com. "It may take a bit of time for your body to adjust to the change." With that in mind, we've compiled these 30 Daylight Saving Time sleep tips to get you back on schedule after losing an hour.

1
Switch to a night shower.
Shutterstock

While your morning shower may be refreshing, if you want to combat the effects of Daylight Saving Time, you'd be wise to start cleaning off at night instead. According to an oft-cited 1999 study published in the European Journal of Physiology and Occupational Therapy, study participants who bathed at night fell asleep faster and enjoyed better sleep than those who didn't, and they moved less frequently during sleep as well.

2
Enjoy an earlier dinner.
iStock

If you want to get your sleep schedule back on track when the time changes, make dinner an earlier event. "Abstaining from eating two to three hours before sleep may help with sleep as the hunger hormone ghrelin can cause your body to be sensitive to neurotransmitters that help with falling sleep," says biochemist Mike Roussell, PhD, creator of sleep supplement Neutein.

3
Pump up the fiber in your diet.
Shutterstock

One surprising way you can make over your diet and sleep schedule for the better when Daylight Saving Time hits? Ramp up the fiber you're eating. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine revealed that low-fiber diets were associated with an increased risk of sleep disturbances, so go ahead and load your meals with some extra leafy greens, flax seeds, or whole grains.

4
And bulk up your protein intake.
Shutterstock

You can fill up without relying on starchy carbs and improve your sleep in one fell swoop by adding some extra protein to your diet. In fact, researchers at Purdue University in 2016 found that overweight and obese study subjects who increased their protein intake enjoyed better sleep after modifying their diets.

5
Make a gradual sleep transition.
Shutterstock

While it may be tempting to try to adjust your sleep in just one night, doing so can do more harm than good. Instead, take a gradual approach. Certified clinical sleep health expert Martin Reed, MEd, founder of Insomnia Coach, suggests adjusting your bedtime by 15 minutes for a few nights before the Saturday night time change. If you usually hit the hay at 11 p.m., get to sleep at 10:45 p.m. that Wednesday. Go to bed at 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, 10:15 p.m. on Friday, and finally 10 p.m. on Saturday. When you lose that hour, you won't even notice it's gone.

6
Skip the booze before bed.
Shutterstock

With the general havoc Daylight Saving Time can wreak on your sleep schedule, you might be especially eager to enjoy a cocktail or two. However, resisting this impulse will leave you better rested in the end.

In a 2018 study published in Neurology, researchers found that alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of REM problems, leading to shorter and less restful sleep. "Alcohol disrupts your natural sleep cycles and thus should be avoided prior to bed," says Roussell.

7
And cut out caffeine after breakfast.
Shutterstock

Hard though it may be, ditching that mid-afternoon cup of coffee might just be the best thing you do for your sleep schedule. Stimulants like caffeine can disrupt your body's natural rhythm as it is, and its effects are only compounded by a lack of sleep. However, that doesn't mean just nixing the coffee.

"Chocolate—especially dark chocolate—should be avoided close to bed as it contains compounds that are structurally similar to caffeine," says Roussell. In addition to ditching that late-night chocolate fix, skipping certain headache remedies that contain caffeine will help you out in the long run.

8
Tell Fido to hit the road.
Shutterstock

We know it's hard, but if you're eager to improve your sleep quality and quantity when Daylight Saving Time rolls around, it's time to give your pets the boot from your bed. According to 2017 research out of the Mayo Clinic, keeping pets in your bed can make it harder to go to sleep. However, don't send them too far away—knowing they're near can actually improve your sleep quality.

9
Wake up a little earlier.
Shutterstock

As painful as it may be on the first day you attempt it, starting your day earlier can yield some major benefits for your sleep cycle when the time change hits. "The best way to avoid tiredness after Daylight Saving Time is to get up a bit earlier," says sleep medicine specialist and sleep therapist Kat Lederle, PhD.

10
And start your mornings with oatmeal.
Shutterstock

What you eat in the morning can have a serious impact on how well you adjust to the time change. So, how do you get your body to reset? Try starting your mornings with a bowl of oatmeal. According to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Circadian Rhythms, people who eat a tryptophan-rich breakfast, like oatmeal, increase their nighttime melatonin production, making it easier to nod off.

11
Soak up some sunlight.
Shutterstock

The prescription for better sleep when Daylight Saving Time messes up your sleep schedule? Enjoying some more sunlight. "Get as much natural light exposure as possible on Sunday morning to help reset the body clock—then go to bed at your normal bedtime on Sunday evening to help you get up as normal on Monday," suggests Reed. And research confirms it can work for even those with a seriously hard time adjusting.

In 2017, researchers at the Tepecik Education and Research Hospital in Turkey found that elderly study subjects who increased their sunlight exposure between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. slept better than those who skipped the sunshine treatment.

12
Work out during the day.
Shutterstock

If you're eager to adjust to the time change, try adjusting your workout schedule first. The results of a notable 2003 study published in the journal Sleep reveal that getting 225 minutes of exercise during daytime hours in a single week increased study subjects' ability to nod off. However, those who did the same at night actually had a harder time getting rest.

13
Skip the nap.
Shutterstock

As tempting as it might be to take a nap to combat the changes in your schedule, doing so might make your sleeplessness worse. Even if it's hard over the first few days following the time switch, do your best to stay awake during the day and you'll have an easier time resting at night. And if you absolutely have to nap, make sure it's between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and limit it to 20 minutes, per the guidelines by the experts at the National Sleep Foundation.

14
Maintain the same nighttime schedule.
Shutterstock

If you think Daylight Saving Time is a good time to start making major shifts in your nighttime routine, think again. According to a notable 2009 study published in BMC Public Health, college students with irregular bedtime habits had significant increases in daytime sleepiness and had more difficulty falling asleep than those who stuck to the same schedule night after night.

15
Sleep with your phone out of sight (and mind).
Shutterstock

Having your phone right next to you while you're in bed will not only make you conscious of the often-unpleasant time shift associated with Daylight Saving Time—it may also keep you from getting the rest you need.

According to research conducted at the University of Haifa in 2017, the blue light emitted from devices like phones, tablets, TVs, and computer screens decreases both the duration and quality of sleep, compounding the difficulty associated with adjusting your sleep cycle.

16
Add some mindfulness meditation to your routine.
Shutterstock

A little mindfulness can go a long way when it comes to coping with the time change. According to a 2015 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, older adults with sleep disturbances who added some mindfulness meditations to their routines for six weeks slept better than those who stuck to their usual patterns.

17
Ditch the sugary snacks.
iStock

Though sugary snacks may give you a sudden burst of energy, they won't yield any positive long-term benefits when it comes to resetting your sleep cycle. In fact, according to the results of one 2016 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, sugary foods are associated with more frequent sleep disturbances and less restorative sleep on the whole.

18
Don't crank up the heat.
Shutterstock

It's still cold enough in March that you might be reaching for the thermostat in a bid to stay warm. However, doing so can cause more trouble than it's worth. A noteworthy 1994 study published in the French journal La Presse Médicale found that temperatures between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius (60.8 and 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit) encouraged more restful sleep, so buy yourself some extra hours in bed—and save yourself some money on heating bills—by leaving your house pleasantly cool.

19
Dim your lights before getting in bed.
Shutterstock

Turn your lights down before bed and you might not even notice the time change. The aforementioned 2013 study about tryptophan-rich breakfast foods published in the Journal of Circadian Rhythms also revealed that exposure to low color-temperature light, like those in the red and yellow family, or dimmer traditional lights, can aid in melatonin production, making it easier to fall asleep.

20
Put on some socks before bedtime.
iStock

Keeping your feet toasty warm when you head to bed could be the simplest way to reduce the overall impact of Daylight Saving Time on your sleep schedule. In 2018, researchers at Seoul National University found that individuals who wore socks to bed reduced the amount of time it took them to fall asleep by 7.5 minutes and slept for 32 minutes longer in total.

21
Reduce your intake of fried foods
Shutterstock

While you may feel sluggish and sleepy after a meal of fried food, eating those greasy treats isn't actually going to do you any favors when it comes to resetting your internal clock. In fact, according to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, high saturated fat intake is associated with less restful sleep and more waking up during the night.

22
And ditch the midnight snack.
iStock

Sorry, late-night snackers—grabbing something from the fridge when you can't sleep might make your sleeplessness worse. The results of a 2011 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reveal a relationship between nocturnal eating and poor sleep, so whenever possible, give yourself a break between your last meal and when you hit the hay.

23
Talk to a doctor about your depression.
Shutterstock

If you're feeling a little worse for wear when Daylight Saving Time comes around, it's time to talk to your doctor. According to one 2015 study published in the Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, there's a strong bi-directional relationship between sleep loss and depression, meaning the more sleep you lose, the more likely you are to find yourself depressed, and the more depressed you are, the more sleep you're likely to lose.

24
Put on some music.
Shutterstock

Crank up the tunes! According to a significant 2008 study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, listening to classical music before bed significantly improved sleep quality among students with sleeping troubles. If you think that listening to your favorite book will yield similar results, think again: Audiobooks were found to have no effect.

25
Incorporate massage into your self-care routine.
Shutterstock

If you're struggling to fall asleep, consider adding some massage to your routine. According to one 2014 study published in Sleep Science, massage increased sleep quality among women with insomnia.

26
Wind down with some herbal tea.
iStock

Instead of enjoying a nightcap, end your day the healthy way by sipping some herbal tea instead. The results of one 2016 study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing reveal that consumption of chamomile tea is associated with improved sleep quality and reduced rates of depression.

27
Treat yourself to a bubble bath.
Shutterstock

A little relaxation at the end of a long day in the form of a warm bath can make all the difference when it comes to fighting the sleep-altering effects of Daylight Saving Time. The results of an oft-cited 1985 study published in Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology showed that warm baths increased participants' sleepiness at bedtime, as well as both slow-wave and stage-4 sleep.

28
Reduce your reliance on sleep medication.
Shutterstock

When you know Daylight Saving Time is about to hit, make a point of toning down any reliance on over the counter sleep aids. Using sleep medication on a regular basis can make you reliant on it and can cause rebound insomnia when you become adjusted to its effects or quit cold turkey. And if you do need to turn to medication, try a natural solution before turning to prescription pills.

29
Invest in a white noise machine.
luca pbl / Shutterstock

While the sound of the rustling leaves outside or the noise of a city street may be calming to you, they're doing you no favors when it comes to your sleep. The solution? Invest in a white noise machine or app. According to a notable 1990 study published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, notoriously fickle newborns who had white noise machines added to their sleep environment fell asleep much faster than those who didn't.

30
Don't stress about the transition.
iStock

Though the idea that you'll wake up feeling unrested, cranky, and groggy may be enough to make anyone anxious, try to limit the amount of stress associated with the Daylight Saving Time transition. Maintaining consistency in your routine and implementing some new self-care measures will serve you better in the long run. In 2012, researchers at Korea University in Seoul found a significant link between stress and a reduction in sleep duration and quality, so do your best to ease yourself into your new sleep schedule slowly and you'll make the transition much easier.