She’s a life ruiner. She ruins lives.
Yes, that’s Daylight Saving Time we’re talking about, and she’s heavily featured in our Burn Book.
If you’ve ever googled “why do we have daylight saving time,” you are not alone. People have been asking this pretty much since it was a wee thought in an entomologist’s head because he wanted more after-work hours to go bug hunting.
While the full, complicated answer is above our pay grade, we can tell you that this controversial time change can pretty much be blamed on 1) men, 2) people not understanding the concept of satire, and 3) hubris, as the reasoning behind its implementation is based on outdated reasons for using it.
In anticipation of “Spring Forward” on March 10 this year, we enlisted the help of Alanna McGinn, founder and Certified Sleep Expert of Good Night Sleep Site. “The spring time change is the tough one,” she says, “because we are all losing an hour of sleep.” And, fun (ha) fact: “DST can feel similar to jet lag. One study showed that individuals sleep around 40 minutes less each night after DST begins,” she says. Neat.
Here are Alanna’s tips for making DST suck a little bit less.
Role play—how exciting! You’re now a person who reads before bed instead of binge-watching Love Is Blind while scrolling through TikTok.
“Remove sleep busters like your tablets, phones, and TV remotes,” Alanna says. The bright screens suppress our melatonin (which we kinda need in order to get restful sleep), making it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Plus, social media scrolling pretty much makes time have no meaning. Instead, grab a reading light (like this one our wellness editor loves), and check some things off your TBR list or journal.
The Five Minute Journal
Price: $29
Intelligent Change
Fluff and fold your bedding.
“When’s the last time you’ve washed your comforter and pillow?” Alanna asks. Um, can we plead the fifth? “Within 24 months—or less—your pillow can double its weight in allergens,” she says. (Brb—throwing out all our pillows.) “If you suffer from allergies and asthma attacks, it’s a good idea to wash your pillows and comforters seasonally and sheets and pillowcases weekly,” she recommends.
White Queen Zippered Pillowcase
Price: $89
Slip Silk
Satin Pillowcase $19
Price: $19
Kitsch
Premium Down Alternative Gusset Pillow
Price: $45
Quince
Say a sad farewell to your bed/desk. “If hibernating has forced you to move the home office into bed, or your treadmill has found a way into the bedroom because it was too cold outside to run, it’s time to pack it up,” Alanna says.
Redesign your sleep sanctuary.
“Associating your bedroom and your bed for sleep (and sex) only will help you reestablish proper sleep hygiene, which will lead to better sleep and falling asleep more quickly,” she explains.
Might we recommend these Poosh-approved items for a dreamy bedroom upgrade?
Cuddle Blanket
Price: $360
Cozy Earth
Cloud Cool Mist Humidifier
Price: $229
Vitruvi
Breeze Comforter
Price: $208
Buffy
Expose yourself to bright light in the morning.
We’ve all heard the advice to wake up at the same time, even on the weekends. This “allows our body to naturally wake,” Alanna says. Early-morning sunlight emits naturally healing near-infrared wavelengths. This particular type of light supports melatonin production, improves brain metabolism, and reduces brain inflammation.
“You can also include a sunrise simulator that gradually turns the sleep switch off in our brain and allows us to wake up the way our body naturally intends,” Alanna says.
Restore 2
Price: $199
Hatch
Loftie Clock
Price: $149
Loftie
SmartSleep Wake-Up Light
Price: $90
Philips
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The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the author only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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