Over the weekend, daylight savings came to end—well, in most of the Australian states. We were instantly granted a full extra hour of sleep, but if your body is feeling a little off, you’re not alone.
For most of us, adjusting our clocks disrupts our circadian rhythm—your body’s internal 24-hour body clock. As a result, our normal sleep patterns are completely out of whack. Sure, the effects were much more noticeable when we set the clocks back in the spring (since we’re much more inclined to sleep an extra hour than lose one—duh!), but nevertheless, you might still experience jet lag-like fatigue, a lack of focus and an increased appetite. Not to mention, studies suggest that the end of DST could be a trigger for cluster headaches, possibly due to the way it impacts your sleep schedule. Yikes!
The good news is, like most things, the feelings will pass soon enough. However, to help soften the blow, here are a few tips for staying energised and stress-free this week.
Prep snacks
When you’re tired, it’s natural to binge on sweets. So, to avoid this, get prepped by making sure you’ve got a few healthy snacks on hand.
Recipes to try:
Sandra Mahut’s veggie oven chips
Lisa Guy’s gluten-free pumpkin loaf
Savoury muffins with goat’s cheese and green olives
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is always important, especially when you’re not feeling 100%. If you need some motivation, here are five ridiculously easy ways to trick yourself into drinking more water.
Practice self-care
Whether you have just a few minutes or an hour to spare, setting aside time for a bit of self-care is always a good idea. Take this quiz to find out which practice your body and mind is craving.
Get some sun
Sunlight is one of the best ways to get your circadian rhythms back on track, so take a walk on your lunch break or enjoy a coffee outdoors.
Step away from your phone
Your phone’s blue light wreaks havoc with your body’s biological clock, especially at nighttime. So, put it away and rest up.
