Spring Forward

The spring equinox is coming up on March 19th in the US. That means it is time to say goodbye to the snow and darkness of winter and begin our transition toward the summer season. The best part is it is time to get ready for camp season by checking out our Essential Camp Gear Checklist. However, before spring kicks off, don’t forget to spring forward this weekend.

The spring forward time change occurs at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 10th. Yes, this is the weekend when you lose an hour. However, the upside to this time change is that it brings back later sunsets and gives people an opportunity to enjoy more daylight in the evening by shifting the clocks forward an hour.

Contrary to popular belief, spring forward doesn’t increase the length of a day. There are still 24 hours in a day, and the number of daylight hours is still based on the time the sun rises and sunsets. However, the shifting of the clock allows people to enjoy more sunlight in the evening. Depending on what time you begin your day, you are likely to notice it’s dark and hard to get out of bed in the morning after the spring forward.

Didn’t Many States Vote Against Changing the Time?

Over the past several years, movements have emerged in the US to ask state legislators and the US Congress to eliminate the time change. Many Americans have indicated that they prefer Daylight Savings Time year-round as people prefer later sunsets and more daylight after work. However, the US tried permanent daylight savings in the 1970s. The act was repealed in under a year because people disliked dark mornings.

As of 2024, 19 state legislatures have passed resolutions to make daylight savings permanent if Congress allows it. However, it is unknown whether Congress will change daylight savings. So far, none of the proposed resolutions have gained traction, so we will likely continue swapping our clocks twice a year for the foreseeable future.

Your Health and Spring Forward

The spring forward time change is particularly stressful for our bodies. According to Morgan Coulson, via the Johns Hopkins website, it leads to sleep disruptions that can result in deprivation. Other health concerns following the time change are an increase in heart attacks and strokes, as well as mood disturbances. Additionally, there is an increased risk to drivers, with the probability of a fatal car accident rising by 6%. This raises the question of how we can prepare ourselves and our bodies to spring forward.

Tips for Spring Forward

First, it helps to try to adjust your bedtime beforehand. Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier before the time change. Getting up a little earlier than your usual wake-up time is also helpful. This can help your body prepare for the spring forward.

Second, you can help your body’s circadian rhythm adjust by exposing yourself to morning sunlight. According to the Sleep Foundation, the best time to get outside is first thing in the morning. Even if it is too cold to go out, sit near a window and get as much exposure as possible.

The Sleep Foundation also recommends “upgrading your sleep hygiene.” Sleep hygiene is a series of actions you can take to get better sleep. If you are like me and spend a lot of time searching for the best ways to get a good night’s sleep, you will recognize many of their suggestions. The suggestions include blocking out lights and sounds (we use this), going to bed at your regular time during the week and on the weekends, getting up around the same time, and taking a digital detox at least 30 minutes before bed.

We know that life happens, but if you select one weekend to adhere to these rules, it should be this one. You’ll thank yourself next week. If there is any week where you should slow down and take it easy, next week is that week.

Closing Thoughts

Although there are many downsides to the time change, I love sitting by the campfire and watching the sunset around 9 p.m. in the middle of the summer. I’ll gladly trade a couple of weeks of suffering in the spring for the long summer nights. However, that doesn’t mean I will skip the steps to prepare for the time change.

My alarm is set for my usual time on Saturday, and I’ll be retiring to bed by 9 pm on Saturday to ensure I’m well rested to endure the time change on Sunday. Sure, that makes me lame, but there is plenty of time for fun. If the weather cooperates, and it looks like it should, I’ll enjoy my coffee outside, maybe with a blanket, to take in the extra sunshine to help my body prepare. With a little effort and planning, you will be ready to spring forward. Oh, and don’t forget to change your clock on the stove and microwave!

Happy Exploring!