Tips to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle during Daylight Savings

Many people dread Daylight Savings and find it difficult to adjust to the clocks falling back and the sun setting earlier. It can be challenging to keep a healthy routine and maintain motivation when the sun sets at 4pm! Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to improve your mental health and keep you thriving through the darker, colder months. So, what are some tips to stay active and focussed and not let Daylight Savings take over? 

One of the most important things to do during this time is to establish a routine that works for you. Morning routines are especially important, as they set the tone for the rest of your day. Getting morning sunlight even helps to boost vitamin D production and serotonin, one of the feel-good neurotransmitters in the body. Therefore, try waking up a little earlier and getting in a morning walk to get some sun in! This will help you feel good and add some productivity into your morning. An object in motion stays in motion, so starting your day off with some activity is a great tip to create a day full of productivity. 

Another tip to maintain a healthy lifestyle when energy and motivation may be lacking is to keep a steady sleep schedule. Your body may start feeling tired earlier, and that’s okay! By going to bed at the same time, and waking up at the same time, your body will naturally get tired around your established bed time, and this can help you pre-plan the remainder of your day. For example, it may not be feasible to schedule a workout after dinner if you start to wind down around 7:30 pm. Instead, opp for a morning or afternoon workout when you tend to have more energy. A sleep schedule will also help to ensure that you get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night, which would in turn help to stabilize energy levels. 

The last tip to successfully get through Daylight Savings is to continue practicing healthy habits, or start to put a focus on this part of your life if you feel like it may have been lacking in the past. Practicing healthy habits includes remaining active, consuming healthy and nutritious meals to fuel your body, and tending to your mental health. Try to incorporate daily movement into your day by attending workout classes with friends, going on walks, or creating a weekly workout routine for yourself. Mental health is also crucial and it impacts almost every aspect of our lives. So, take extra care of yourself during this time! Treat yourself with kindness, practice relaxing techniques like yoga or meditation, and listen to the signs that your body is telling you. We are all in this together!