While daylight savings time is never easy, this year it is coming at a particularly difficult time. From the ongoing global pandemic to growing global conflict abroad, and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, it is a less than ideal time to be losing an hour of sleep. This makes it a more important than ever to prioritize your physical and mental health. Below are a few habits and tricks to help you reduce stress and restore calm and wellness during these challenging times:
Sleep
It may seem obvious, but sleep is the best way to combat the effects of daylight savings. Give your body the rest and recovery it needs by adjusting your routine and going to bed an hour early- or even 2.
Sleep is a powerful stress reducer. Following a regular sleep routine calms and restores the body, improves concentration, regulates mood, and sharpens judgment and decision-making. You are a better problem solver and are better able to cope with stress when you’re well-rested.
Limit Screen Time
Take a break from the news and social media. While it is good to stay informed, the constant stream of news and tragic events can impact your mental health and well being. Artificial light—from a computer screen, smartphone, or TV—can also affect your internal clock and make it more difficult to adjust to the time change.
CBD
CBD is known to reduce stress and promote sleep, making it a useful remedy during these challenging times and assist with our adjustment to daylight savings.
CBD stimulates serotonin receptors in the brain, which can influence your mood, concentration and sleep. CBD is also composed of natural ingredients that help calm down stressed-out nerves and reduce anxiety. These same calming effects also make CBD a popular sleep remedy that you can use to help adjust to the time change and a new sleep routine.
The Flourish + Live Well team recognizes that there are challenging times; we feel it ourselves. We remind you to find something that brings you great joy. We encourage you to practice radical self-compassion and radical self-care in addition to these tips listed above. Breathe, get some sunshine, and make someone smile – we will get through these challenging times together.