Coping with Time Change

It doesn't really matter if you are falling back or springing forward, most of us have some sort of upset when the clocks change. If you are lucky enough to not have to change your time then carry on! The rest of us tend to suffer from something akin to jet lag.

If you didn't already have a rhythm in place, then give yourself a good week or two to adjust and then begin. Start with our posts here on rhythm, or come and join our Thinking Feeling Willing program for a good in depth study and successful management of your rhythm. 

Now if you have been coasting along and you have been keeping a pretty good rhythm, don't let the time change throw you off completely. Some things that really help me:

• Be kind to me!  I know that I will lose sleep no matter if I am springing forward or falling back so I really try to be kind to myself on the time change weekends. That means I make sure all my regular rhythmic things are in place - good bedtimes, menu for our meals, everyone's schedule, etc. The schedule is especially important when you have teens.

• Get into bed a bit earlier than normal. Take a good book to bed and just have everyone retire to their rooms early. Don't expect them to sleep right away. Everyone will be more rested the next day. 

• On the night after the time change, it should be easier to get everyone in bed, it is dark and they naturally want to get cozy, especially if your weather is changing.
  
  

Now all of the above is fine and good, but here you are Monday morning and everyone's sleep still feels off. Be kind to yourself and everyone today. If you are homeschooling then consider making today a slower day. Do a little extra baking, resting, curling up today. Work to keep the meals on track. Leave plenty of time for your bedtime rhythm - how is that bedtime rhythm going? Now may be a good time to tweak it if needs be.

Tuesday should be a better day, but don't go all crazy on your schedule or you will be tired. The secret that I have found to the time change is giving your body (and mind!) a chance to ease into it. I looked at my own schedule last night and decided I had better dial a few things back so I don't feel exhausted by the end of the week.

The most important thing is to be consistent this week, keep your anchor points and just try to ride through the week a bit. You'll come through in a better spot and happy to move through the next season.

Read more about rhythm here.