WASHINGTON — You know the saying: spring ahead, fall back.
That means people in the District will lose an hour of sleep between Saturday and Sunday, since daylight saving time officially begins at 2 a.m. Sunday.
Most people will be able to get by Sunday morning with a few minutes of grumbling about feeling sleep deprived, and maybe a nap, but others have a more difficult time with the transition.
So here’s “5 tips to survive daylight saving time”:
Keep it cool: According to The Sleep to Live Institute’s Dr. Robert Oexman, the optimal temperature for sleeping is between 58 and 65 degrees. If needed, crack a window, as long as you don’t have seasonal allergies. Oexman says dropping the body’s core temperature is required to optimize sleep.
Pitch black: Complete darkness is best, which may require blackout shades or an eye mask. If you need some light, Oexman says “low blue lights” are the best options. A laptop or phone’s harsh light isn’t conducive to falling and staying asleep, so he says put the devices down at a reasonable hour.
Quiet, please: Eliminate noise in your bedroom. If necessary, use a white noise machine.
The right tools: Find the mattress and pillows that best suit your body type and sleep positions.
Don’t be a bed hog: If you sleep with a partner, Oexman suggests each person have their own sheets and blankets to avoid a tug of war.
And, don’t forget, it’s also time to change batteries in your smoke detectors.
(h/t Medical Daily)
