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Some have called me a weirdo for liking the shift away from daylight saving time. It’s not that I’m a vampire who lurks in the dark, it’s that fall is here. Yippee! Still, I recognize that before we can get to enjoy the fall, we have to navigate this obnoxious jolt to our systems.
Many dislike our twice-a-year time changes. In fact, California voted to eliminate the practice in 2021, yet it still persists. But this caught me by surprise: 70 countries around the world still observe time changes (Vankin, 2023).
Human beings often struggle with change. And altering our wakeup and bedtimes—even by just an hour—can derail anyone’s circadian rhythm (the body’s 24-hour internal clock that regulates the person’s flow) for a bit.
So here are a few reminders to get through this week’s bridge to enjoying fall, pumpkin spice, and soon everything naughty and nice.
Reminders to help you fall back and not fall down
Your sleep is probably disrupted at least a bit. We know that when sleep is disrupted, people can experience unpleasant changes in mood, physical coordination, and more. CBS News warns us that people’s sports, work, performance, and mental health may be affected as we adjust (Boeckmann, 2024).
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, it can take around five to seven days to adjust to this forced change (Moniusczko, 2024). So, this week, please keep the following in mind.
- Give yourself grace for not feeling quite like yourself.
- Go slower and move more intentionally; your coordination may be off a bit.
- Reach out to a trusted friend (or your therapist!) to get your feelings and frustrations off your chest. (If a friend, check in to see if they have the space first as they may be feeling a bit off, too.)
And finally, #4 is specific to anyone living in a crowded city. (I live in Los Angeles, where I can sometimes walk to the store as quickly as I can drive there. So, if you’re in an area where the time shift happened, know that it hits some people harder than others. People may be more cranky, aggressive, or road-ragey than usual.
- Cut people slack on the road, in lines, and in mass transit situations—including yourself!
Bottom Line
Breathe. This season (double meaning intended!) shall pass.
And if you soon notice that your internal clock isn’t adjusting as quickly as you need, consider talking to a medical or mental health professional about what might help you. Some people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Signs of SAD (no pun intended, that’s the acronym) correspond with depression, such as problems with sleep, feelings of worthlessness/hopelessness, lack of energy and pleasure, changes in appetite, etc. Seasonal change triggers these symptoms to onset or increase.
Whether you experience no change in mood, disrupted mood, or a mood disorder, recognize that this week can be hard on other folks and you, too. (Then add the stress of the election.) Patience and kindness will probably be our ways to get through this with grace.
