It’s finally time! Daylight savings time started on Sunday, March 8th, and we now have an extra hour of daylight. We’re excited for the warm weather so we can enjoy later sunsets and more time outdoors! Before we get into that, though, it is important to mention how important sleep is for your health, and how you and your loved ones can avoid daylight savings time getting the jump on you.
Losing even an hour of sleep can affect your body, increasing stress hormones and putting additional strain on your heart. In the first week of daylight saving, many experts recommend getting to bed a half-hour earlier than normal and avoiding alcohol to help your body while it adjusts to the new rhythm.
Now that we’ve cleared that, we can get into the fun part—enjoying that extra hour of sunshine! There are more ways to have fun in the sun than there are hours in the day, but we’ll give you some examples below to get your brain going!
- Birdwatching
Birdwatching is a favorite pastime for people no matter what time of year it is, but it’s hard to argue that it isn’t more fun when the sun’s out! It gets you out in nature, brings you together with other enthusiasts, and a new study even suggests that practicing the skills used for birdwatching can improve your brain health! - Gardening
Gardening is a natural and rewarding way to improve your balance and flexibility; what’s more, if all goes well, you can even get some tasty veggies out of it! Whether you want to create a beautiful flower garden or your own grocery, gardening is a great way to stay attentive, productive, and active. - Spending Time in a Park
For an activity that doesn’t require any special gear or preparation, consider going to a park with your loved one! March 30th is Take a Walk in the Park Day, and who are we to argue with tradition? You can get some light exercise walking the paths or just sit on a bench and read a book. You could even bring a picnic basket with you for an idyllic brunch!
We hope this blog has given you some ideas for how to spend that extra hour of sunshine! Enjoy the warmer weather, make sure you keep up with your sleep, and stay safe out there!
