Now that Daylight Saving time has ended, some people dread losing that after-work daylight. The transition can be an adjustment, but it turns out, Standard time is actually more in sync with our natural body clocks.
Erin Flynn-Evans, a circadian psychologist who leads a sleep research lab, explains, “Standard time is best aligned with human circadian biology as it enables most people to sleep better at night and feel more alert during the day.”
Now that there’s extra light in the mornings, it’s the ideal time to shift your fitness routine earlier in the day. This is how to use the end of Daylight Saving time to optimize your schedule and sleep better, too.
- Adopt an earlier bedtime- Your body will be ready for sleep an hour earlier than normal by the clock and there’s less light exposure in the evenings, so use those to your advantage and make healthy sleep a priority by going to bed earlier. We get more out of workouts when we’re well-rested and exercise improves sleep quality, so it’s a win-win.
- Give morning workouts a try- Now that it’s darker earlier in the evening, consider moving your workout up earlier in the day. In addition to getting to bed earlier, these tips can help the habit stick:
- Get ready the night before- The less you have to do in the morning, the easier it will be.
- Take baby steps- Set a three-day goal to start and add more when you’re ready.
- Do it at home- Removing the extra barriers of going to the gym or just outside may make the transition to morning workouts easier.
- Think of exercise like a scheduled appointment- You wouldn’t snooze your way through a doctor’s appointment, so treat your workout the same way to make sure you show up.
- Use your morning energy for a cardio workout- Soaking up some bright sunlight first thing in the morning can help you wake up faster, so use that energy for a high-intensity morning workout.
- Use the darker evening hours for self-care like yoga- Spending the time before you go to bed doing restful and low-impact activities, like yoga and meditation, may help you wind down and sleep better.
Source:Today