Spring Forward to…Sleepiness?

This is the first week of Daylight Savings Time where we “spring forward” and lose an hour at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday in March. Does it feel like a spring forward to … sleepiness? To many it does. Not coincidentally, the National Sleep Foundation deems this Sleep Awareness Week… perfect timing for us to remember the connection between good sleep and good health.

Why So Sleepy?

Sleep Awareness Week arrives just after we lose an hour of our night. Even though this hour is returned to us in November, we still have an adjustment period while our bodies get used to the time change. We may feel more tired, have more fatigue and lower ability to concentrate. Our circadian rhythms, our body’s internal sleep/wake clock, are thrown off by the change in sunlight cues. Many Americans don’t get enough sleep normally, so this change can just compound existing problems. 

Safety and Sleepiness

All of this fatigue and drowsiness can create safety issues, especially when driving. Getting behind the wheel when you’re feeling drowsy is extremely dangerous. Thousands of car accident fatalities occur each year from sleepy drivers. If you can’t stop yawning, are drifting into other lanes or having difficulty keeping your eyes open, you should find another mode of transportation, like a friend or even an Uber. 

Fix the Sleepy

Many of us don’t put sleep at the top of our priority list or know how to make it a priority. The first step is keeping a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. You’d might rather sleep in on the weekends, but staying consistent is one of the best ways to clean up your sleep habits. Plan to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night and try a “wind-down” routine, like refraining from caffeine in the evenings, dimming lights as it gets closer to bedtime and ending screen time an hour before bed.

We hope these sleep and safety tips are helpful! Check out our blog for more safety information and ways that Cultris Security can help with your home or business security and safety needs. Give us a call at 281-506-8466.

Image by Enrique Hoyos on pexels.com