Skip to main content

Spring Forward Shenanigans

In this episode – Spring Forward Shenanigans . . .

Welcome back to On the Fly! With daylight saving time starting tomorrow, we're all about to lose an hour of sleep. But fear not, for I bring you tidings of great joy – we've got a few tips to help you adjust smoothly to Spring Forward. Yes, tomorrow marks the annual Daylight-Saving Timeshift (DST). We all know the drill—clocks spring forward by one hour at 2:00 a.m., giving us an extra hour of sunlight in the evening. But let's be honest—that one-hour jump can wreak havoc on our sleep schedules and leave us groggy for days.

While the energy-saving benefits of DST are debatable these days, it's still a practice followed in many parts of the world. And let's face it, those extra evening hours of sunlight can be nice!

Adjusting to the Time Change:

But that lost hour of sleep can mess with your body clock. Here are some tips to help you adjust to Spring Forward. Sunlight exposure plays a crucial role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle.

Here's how to leverage it –

· Get outside early: As soon as possible after waking up, expose yourself to bright natural light. This helps suppress melatonin production and energizes you for the day.

 

· Brighten your workspace: If you work indoors, try positioning your desk near a window for maximum natural light exposure. At least open the blinds to enjoy the morning sunrise. 

 

Optimize Your Sleep Environment –


Your bedroom should be a sleep sanctuary. Here's how to create an ideal sleep environment:

 

· Cool it down: The ideal sleep temperature is around 60-67°F (15-19°C). A cooler environment promotes deeper sleep.

 

· Dim the Lights: Avoid bright screens and artificial lights in the evening. This will signal your body that it's time to wind down.

 

· Stick to a Routine: Keep your sleep schedule consistent, even on weekends. This will help your body to adjust more quickly.

 

· Beware of the Caffeine Crash: Limit your caffeine intake in the afternoon and evening, as it can interfere with sleep.

 

· Relaxation Techniques: If you're having trouble falling asleep, try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.

 

By following these tips, you can minimize the disruption caused by Spring Forward and get back to feeling your best quickly. Remember, your body might take a few days to adjust fully, so be patient with yourself.


Here's a little bonus tip for you night owls: Use the extra hour of evening sunlight to exercise or spend time outdoors. Not only will this help you to tire yourself out before bed, but it's also a great way to enjoy the extra daylight!


Thanks for joining us - On the Fly! Adjusting to daylight saving time takes time. By following these tips and being patient with yourself, you can minimize the disruption and get back to feeling your best.


I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Comments

Most Popular of All Time

Tapestry of Truth

In this episode, The Tapestry of Truth . . . Imagine a tapestry woven with the threads of countless experiences. These threads are the stories we encounter, the lessons we learn, the relationships we cultivate, and the environments we inhabit. Each thread contributes to the intricate pattern of our beliefs, values, and interactions with truth. Philosophers have long debated the definition of truth. Bertrand Russell defined truth as "the correspondence between belief and fact." Essentially, a statement is true if it accurately reflects reality. Consider Galileo Galilei's observation of Jupiter. Through his telescope, he observed celestial bodies orbiting the planet. Initially met with resistance, this observation revolutionized our understanding of the solar system. Statement: Jupiter has moons orbiting it. Reality: Galileo's observations accurately reflected the reality of Jupiter's moons.  This demonstrates how truth corresponds to reality. Despite initial oppos...

Golf Evolving

In this episode, TGL–Golf Evolving . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, I want to share what Lori discovered on ESPN about professional golf: the NEW TGL league. You see, golf has evolved over the centuries. The game has always adapted from Scotland's windswept links to Augusta's manicured courses. But what if I told you that the most significant change in golf history isn't happening on a sprawling 18-hole masterpiece but inside a building? Inspired by Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story," we’re about to tee off! Good morning, Americans! Today, we're talking about golf—a sport as old as time yet as new as tomorrow. Who hasn’t heard of Tiger Woods, the golfing phenom? Also, if you’re a golf fan, you've probably heard of Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish star. But have you heard of their brainchild? It's called TGL–turning the golf world on its ear. TGL stands for TMRW Golf League. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy founded TMRW Sports in partne...

Quantum Computing

In this episode, Introduction to Quantum Computing . . . Welcome back to On the Fly, the podcast where we delve into fascinating and occasionally complex topics that pique curious minds. Today, we’re exploring something that sounds like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie: Quantum Computing. Don’t worry if you’re not a tech expert—I promise to keep it simple, fun, and full of real-world analogies. So, let’s start with this question: Have you ever been stuck in traffic and wondered, “What’s the fastest way to get to my destination?” You open your favorite map app, which calculates the best route in seconds. But imagine if it could consider every possible route, even ones you never thought of, all at once. That’s similar to what quantum computing can do—but on a much larger scale. Classical vs. Quantum Computing : To understand quantum computing, let’s first discuss the computers we use every day. These classical computers process information in binary—ones and zeros. Think of it like a...

Starry, Starry Night

In this episode, Starry, Starry Night . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, we're exploring the basics of astrophotography. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what's really out there? I’ve discovered a way to explore distant galaxies–without a telescope–or leaving my backyard. Consider this: each night, when the skies are clear, a breathtaking display unfolds above us—a cosmic dance of light and color. When you step outside, you notice the moon and perhaps a few stars. However, you can open a gateway to the universe with a camera, some adjustments, and a tripod. Suddenly, faint whispers of light transform into vibrant galaxies, swirling nebulae, and star clusters that shimmer like diamonds scattered across black velvet. That fuzzy patch you thought was just a smudge becomes the Andromeda Galaxy, our closest galactic neighbor, an astonishing 2.5 million light-years away. You're capturing light that has traveled millions of years to reach your came...