It’s here! It’s time to set our clocks 1 hour ahead. Ugh…that means that I’m going to lose an hour of sleep. Noooooooo!!!!!!! I’m going to be tired and cranky and it’ll take me a few days to catch up on my sleep and feel normal again.

Hold up! I almost fulfilled a pretty negative prophecy. See how quick I can get my mind fixated on the negative? Let me try that again…

It’s here! It’s time to set our clocks 1 hour ahead. YES! That means more daylight in my waking hours! That means waking up to sunlight. That means more time to spend outside, exercise outside and feel sunlight on my skin. I’m going to be filled with energy, feel more motivation to get things done and less compelled to sleep my day away.

A research study published in 2017 founded an 11% increase in depression from “falling back”. Circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycle) heavily affects depressive symptoms. When we wake to darkness, it sends signals to our brains that it is not time to wake up. That sleep disturbance induces depressive symptoms. And so, tomorrow, we can begin to wake to daylight. Signals will be sent to our brains that we are ready to wake and our energy levels will increase. And so, spring forward contributes to increased happiness.

With that being said, how will you maximize your daylight this spring season? For us to fully feel the positive benefits of daylight, we must act! I hope to engage in my yoga practice outside at least 1 day after work. Let us know your plan this daylight saving time. Sure, we are losing 1 hour of sleep tonight. But the cost is worth the benefit. We are facing the potential for happiness and emotional wellness.

Check out a new affirmation for inspiration this spring season!