8 Tips for Adjusting to Daylight Savings

Farewell to winter, hello to longer days spent outdoors!

This time of year is bittersweet for us Vermonters that enjoy living in a snowy climate. We say goodbye to snow play and hello to frozen mud.

Along with spring conditions, come longer days, which our barnyard friends rejoice in. We all become energized and get ready to shed our winter coats.

Longer days give us energy to clean the barns, so If you visit us in springtime, we might just hand you a shovel. But then of course mother nature likes to keep us guessing. We anticipate sunny days over 32 degrees, but sometimes they don’t arrive soon enough. One thing's for sure, Daylight Savings Time always arrives on schedule.

Okay, are you ready to spring forward and lose a precious hour of sleep? Not sure I am, but here are 8 ways to make your adjustment a little smoother.

1. Get Your Sleep

Sleeping 8 - 9 hours a night is ideal for your body. If you don't want to lose an hour of sleep, start your bedtime routine an hour earlier. Consider natural sleep aids like CBD to support your circadian rhythm.

2. Get Outside and Move

Moving your body and being in nature is a grounding tool you need to not only work your muscles, but to also help create homeostasis in your body. Since the majority of your time in the winter is spent inside, it’s important to get out, listen to the birds, be in the trees and enjoy some nature therapy.

3. Eat Smart, Eat Plants

Munch on anti inflammatory foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins and fresh herbs and spices. Plants are also high in antioxidants, which protect your cells against free radicals, heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Raw honey contains an array of phytonutrients and antioxidants, which is why we only use raw honey that is locally and organically sourced in our Hemp Infused Honey.

4. Be Mindful of What and When You Eat and Drink

Eat earlier in the evening to help your body prepare for bedtime. Try to avoid spicy or fatty foods, since they can lead to indigestion and insomnia. Avoid caffeine, sugar and alcohol later in the day. This will help you fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer.

5. Add Adaptogens to Help Combat Stress

Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain and tension, which can lead to adverse conditions throughout your body. Adaptogens are plants that increase your body's ability to adapt to stress while creating balance in your endocrine and immune systems. Ayurvedic texts and clinical studies alike describe Ashwagandha as a safe and effective adaptogen, which is why we combine our Hemp Infused Honey with Ashwagandha.

6. Stay Hydrated

Drink your water. You don't need to obsess about reaching a particular number of cups each day, but it’s helpful to get in the habit of drinking water more regularly. To make sure you're hydrated, keep a water bottle or two with you so you can sip throughout the day.

7. Reduce Your Screen Time

Reducing your screen time is a great idea any time of the year. So say goodbye to the devices in the evening, they stimulate your brain making it harder to fall asleep. Try avoiding phones and computer at least two hours before bed, and avoid television at least one hour before bed.

8. Be Consistent With Your Sleep and Wake Routine

Wake up at the same time each morning to keep your sleep cycle consistent, yes this means on the weekends too. Getting out of bed at the same time every morning is a great way to improve your sleep cycle. A consistent sleep routine based on a certain rise time will help you feel more rested.

As with most changes, adjusting to Daylight Savings Time presents us with choices. It can be either jar half full, or half empty. As long time business owners in this quickly changing market, choosing the jar half full and looking forward to what lies ahead is always the best option. As we say goodbye to the snow, and hello to sap season, we take a deep breath and welcome the longer days to come.

With these 8 tips in mind, you'll be able to better handle the seasonal changes and support your body's needs. Happy Daylight Savings friends, spring equinox and mud season are right around the corner.