It’s that time of year here in the northern hemisphere when we really feel the light stretching deeper into the evening with each day, and depending on where you live, the temperatures start trending warmer, even if only a little.
It’s also the time of year when the switch to daylight savings time can totally throw your schedule and body out of whack. For those of us who have suffered or currently suffer from burnout, you might feel like you’ve got 10 weighted blankets on you when you try to get up those first several mornings. If you’re like me, some years it can knock you on your rear end, making it hard to function during the day for that first week or so.
On top of that, if your burn out comes from overachieving or overdoing, the loss of that one little hour also might make you feel like you’re losing precious time for doing “all the things.” Then you feel guilty that you’re not accomplishing more, especially if you suffer from that all-too-common disease of comparing yourself to others.
So not only does your body feel heavy and lagging—your mind and ego do too.
Despite looking forward to the beauty and renewal of spring, I sometimes dread this switch.
After all, sleep is a powerful healing force, especially in the life of someone who has suffered from burnout or who has been running on empty for too long, and giving up an hour of rest no matter the reason, can be really tough.
Thankfully, through my years of coaching and being coached, and through my experience teaching and studying yoga (it’s a never-ending developmental journey), I’ve learned a few things that help me through the transition. I hope they’ll help you too.
Body
If ever there was a time for restorative yoga postures, it’s during those first few days of daylight savings time. Doing one or two poses in the morning can help you shake the grogginess and ease into your day. Giving yourself a little break later in the day with a restorative posture or two can offer just enough energy to make it through the rest of the day. Practicing them right before bed can calm your mind and ease you into a restful night of sleep, even if bedtime feels too early.
Though I’m a big fan of taking a nap at times, a nap might cause you to have trouble falling asleep at night, which might just add to the difficulties of adjusting to going to bed an hour earlier. Plus, restorative yoga has all kinds of other health benefits that make it worth doing anyways, like aiding in stress management as well as weight and fat loss for certain populations.
Check out these posts for a couple of restorative poses you can do easily at home to help you survive springing forward to daylight savings time.
My Favorite Fatigue-Fighting Pose and How to Maximize it for You
Beat Holiday Fatigue with this Variation on a Favorite Pose
Or better yet, join me in a restorative class this week to feel the benefits yourself. You can find my latest schedule here.
Environment
If you’re like me, a cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind, and that’s the last thing you need when you’re dealing with brain fog or fatigue, whether it comes from the switch to daylight savings time or something else. A key spring forward survival tactic for me is to follow the yogic principle of Saucha (Cleanliness).
Whether it’s tidying up your practice space or desk, or simply creating more room in your schedule for moving at a slower pace as your body adjusts, working with Saucha will help you manage this transition and your life with greater easy and joy.
Relationships
In over a decade of coaching, I’ve never met a client who couldn’t benefit from some work around setting boundaries and asking for help. When you’re feeling exhausted and burned out, whether it’s from this tiny one-hour switch or years of people-pleasing and peace-keeping, maintaining your boundaries and getting the help you need are no longer just options or nice-to-haves, like heated car seats. They’re as essential as your brakes and your wheels.
So if you’re feeling like you just can’t take on one more request while you adjust to the time change, lovingly saying no, perhaps offering up an alternative solution, is your best friend. If you’re feeling like you can’t manage what you’ve already taken on, then asking for help will save you from wearing yourself further into the ground, and it will give others the opportunity to serve and grow.
Mind
We spend a lot of mental energy thinking about the past and worrying about the future. One of the best ways to regain some of that energy is to bring your mind into the present with meditation. What better time to start than during this spring forward transition? Sitting to meditate for even just a few minutes can refresh your mind and help you concentrate better, without the crash of the typical caffeine and sugar fix.
One of my favorite meditations is to focus on the energy centers of the body (or chakras). This specific meditation practice helps me feel more awake, yet calm, and ready to face whatever is next in my day. It’s my go-to mindfulness tool when I’m feeling tired or even when I can’t fall asleep.
Most importantly, give yourself some grace. These survival steps don’t necessarily come naturally. It's ok to try, stumble, and try again. Over time and with practice, you'll feel the difference.
It's your time to reclaim your peace and restore your energy and strength. I can't wait!
Speak Your Truth
What do you do to help yourself through the spring forward transition? Which of these survival tips sounds most useful to you? Which of them would you like to try? Let me know in the comments!
In wellness, joy, and inspiration,
Tami