Get Ready for DST!

Happy March!

As we prepare for the time shift coming March 9th, I have been getting curious about this question: Why does Daylight Savings Time exist?

This question got me curious about why and when DST is practiced in some states in the US. So I did some research and found out some really interesting history!

Benjamin Franklin 1st introduced the idea of DST in 1784. He believed rising earlier would be more economical for candle usage and save people money.

Pushing clocks forward to make greater use of daylight during the warmer months was formally adopted during World War I as part of a global attempt to conserve energy.

The modern concept of DST was credited to George Hudson, entomologist from New Zealand. In 1895, he proposed a 2-hour time shift so he’d have more afterwork hours of sunshine during summer to go bug hunting for his studies.

These transitions between seasons can really pull us out of whack. That’s why we need to prepare now (the shift comes on March 9th) and be more attentive to how we’re living during these times of the year. Our bodies and minds can be shocked by this abrupt transition in time.

If you aren't aware of the effects of DST, here is a bit of research from John's Hopkins:

“The scientific evidence points to acute increases in adverse health consequences from changing the clocks, including in heart attack and stroke,” says sleep expert Adam Spira, PhD, MA, a professor in Mental Health. The change is also associated with a heightened risk of mood disturbances and hospital admissions, as well as elevated production of inflammatory markers in response to stress. The potential for car crashes also spikes just after the spring forward, Spira says; a 2020 study found that the switch raises the risk of fatal traffic accidents by 6%. (link)

But, Ayurveda can help!

Instead of focusing on the concept of time in terms of clocks, we can look at our natural world, notice the cycle of sunrise and sunset, and align with that pattern. This provides gradual, easeful transition instead of an abrupt time jump.

Here are some tips on how to have an easeful transition this Daylight Savings Time:

PREPARE DAYS AHEAD OF TIME: Dial back both your bedtime and waking time little by little for the week prior (as small as 10 minutes earlier) until the actual shift.

HAVE SOMETHING TO DO: Even some basic things to do after waking up can help, so you won’t be tempted to go back to bed. What makes you excited/What are you looking forward to? Exercise, meditate, journal, food preparation are all good options.

EAT LIGHTER FOOD: Focus on foods that will not tax your digestion (kapha is a slow season, that includes our digestion time), so eat fresh, steamed veggies, brothy soups, and drink lots of warm herbal tea.

SPEND MORE TIME OUTSIDE: Spending more time outside leading up to and after “spring forward” can help your body naturally attune to the shift.

PLAN A DETOX: Join us for the Spring Detox to support your body to further clear our the gunk from Winter and align with the fresh new energy of Springtime for optimal health and wellbeing.

I hope this Ayurvedic Wisdom about natural cycles and rhythms supports you during the Daylight Savings time shift and beyond.

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