FIVE WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF SETTING YOUR CLOCK BACK AN HOUR
I don’t know about you but I’ve been looking forward to setting the clock back an hour since last March when the clocks were set ahead. I LOVE getting that extra hour of sleep (who doesn’t?) but what I love most is the extra light in the morning.
There’s no doubt that I’m a morning person. As soon as there’s the tiniest bit of light outside I’m already waking up. When I woke up this morning with that extra hour of sleep I felt super energized (even without my morning coffee!) and it got me thinking that even though we lose the extra hour of daylight at the end of the day, having the extra hour of morning light gives us the opportunity to make some positive changes in our lives.
So, even if you’re not so thrilled about the time change, here’s a list of five ways to take advantage of the time change to start making some positive life changes.
EXTRA SLEEP
The average person falls short of the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. And I don’t mean they’re coming close by getting 6 to 6.5 hours but falling seriously short by only getting 5 to 6 hours.
Some people even brag about it and wear it as a badge of honor but the reality of it is if you’re falling below the recommended 7 to 9 hours you’re setting yourself up for more stress, more hunger, poor food choices, a higher risk for accidents (especially if you’re sleep deprived and driving) and more health problems.
So use that extra hour for more sleep. Even though the clock says 9PM your body still thinks it’s 10PM so skip the TV or catching up on email. Turn the heat down so that your room is a cool 65 degrees (better for falling asleep), add a blanket, turn out the lights and let yourself drift off to dreamland.
START YOUR DAY WITH EXERCISE
Now that you’ve gone to bed at 9PM you’ll more than likely find yourself waking up around 5AM. Resist the temptation to stay in bed for more than a few minutes and make good use of the extra time by getting up and getting some exercise.
The easiest (and I think the best) thing you can do is to get outside and walk. If it’s still dark when you get out get yourself a couple of those inexpensive little LED clip on lights. They’ll light the path for you and make you visible to early morning drivers.
One thing I’m starting to deal with here is that it’s getting so cold in the mornings that I don’t want to go outside. I suggest dressing in 2 or 3 layers to stay warm and wearing thicker socks or you can wear two pairs of socks (I usually wear a regular thickness pair over a thin pair).
Needless to say, if the weather’s just too cold, wet or snowy then try to do some indoor walking on a treadmill if you have one. Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home DVDs are another great workout and a nice change of pace. I’ve been using them for years.
An elliptical machine is also a good choice and gives you a little break from walking every day. It’s important not to get bored otherwise you’re more likely to just quit and go back to sleeping in.
If you’ve got a gym membership, going early in the morning is also a good choice. It’s usually not as busy as later in the day when everyone is stopping in on the way home from work. You can usually find some great classes around 5:30 or 6AM that’ll really kickstart your day.
EXPOSURE TO MORNING LIGHT
Being outside first thing in the morning allows you to breathe in fresh air and often you’ll get to see the sunrise which does wonders for your soul, not to mention your entire day! I recently read some scientific articles showing that exposure to early morning light helps to reset your body’s internal clock (Circadian Rhythm) and can make it easier to fall asleep at night.
TIME TO ORGANIZE AND PLAN YOUR DAY
Having an extra hour in the morning is a great way to get organized and plan your day. Planning your day while taking a walk is even better.
Planning out your day first thing in the morning helps you stay in control of your entire day and keeps you on track to achieve the goals you set for yourself. Being in control of your day is a key factor in reducing stress too!
Preparing healthy meals falls under this category too. When you’ve got an extra hour in the morning you’ve got time to make yourself a healthy breakfast or lunch.
TIME FOR YOURSELF
One of the biggest problems women of all ages experience is lack of time for themselves. I know I often feel like everyone owns my time but me. Don’t get me wrong, I love being someone that people go to when they need support or a kind word. But it’s just as important to take care of yourself.
It’s important to have quiet time to be with our thoughts and let our dreams bubble up. I believe that regardless of whatever age we’re at it’s important to keep dreaming and keep having goals. It’s important to have time for self-care and reflection.
An extra hour in the morning is one of those small luxuries that I’m always grateful for. Whether I’m just lying in my warm bed on a chilly morning with the blankets pulled up or curled up with a cup of freshly brewed coffee it allows me to ease into my day in a positive frame of mind.
We’re only a week into the time change so hopefully you haven’t already begun using that extra hour to stay up later. Start using the extra hour tomorrow morning to add one or two healthy habits to your day, it could change your life.
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