Daylight Savings: How It Impacts Your Daily Habits

By DMD Staff

Last updated: March 11, 2025

Daylight savings time (DST) is when we set our clocks forward one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall. The goal is to make better use of daylight during summer months. While this can save energy, it also messes with our daily routines. The daylight savings effect on habits can make it tough to stick to your usual schedule.

In this article, we’ll dive into how daylight savings time changes your habits and share simple tips to keep your routine steady.

How Daylight Savings Time Affects Our Bodies

When the clocks change, it throws off our internal clock, called the circadian rhythm. This natural cycle controls when we sleep, wake up, and feel hungry. A one-hour shift might not sound like much, but it can confuse your body.

For example, you might struggle to fall asleep at night or feel sleepy in the morning. This tiredness can make it harder to keep up with your habits. If you’re someone who loves a morning jog, the effect on habits that daylight savings has might leave you hitting snooze instead. Even your meal times can feel off because your hunger doesn’t match the clock.

The Impact on Daily Habits

The daylight savings change touches many parts of your day. Here’s how it might shake things up:

• Sleep habits: The time shift can mess with your sleep schedule. You might not get enough rest, which zaps your energy for other tasks.
• Exercise routines: If you work out at a set time, feeling tired or waking up later can throw you off track.
• Meal times: Your body expects food at certain hours. When the clock changes, you might skip meals or eat at odd times, affecting your energy.
• Work and productivity: Feeling groggy can make it tough to focus at work. You might struggle to stay on top of your usual tasks, even if you're using a good tool.

These disruptions show how much daylight savings time can impact your routine. But don’t worry—there are ways to handle it!

Tips to Maintain Your Habits During Daylight Savings Time

This change doesn’t have to ruin your flow. Try these tips to stay on track:

1. Adjust slowly: A few days before the change, shift your bedtime and wake-up time by 15 minutes each day. This helps your body ease into it.
2. Keep your routine: Even if you’re tired, stick to your habits as much as you can. Consistency helps your body adjust faster.
3. Sleep well: Make sleep a priority. Go to bed earlier or take a short nap if you need it.
4. Get sunlight: Spend time outside, especially in the morning. Natural light helps reset your internal clock.
5. Give yourself grace: It might take a few days to feel normal. Don’t stress if you slip up a bit.

Want to dig deeper? Check out this study on how DST affects sleep for more details.

Adjusting Specific Habits

Some habits need extra attention during daylight savings. Here’s how to tweak them:

• Exercise: If you’re a morning workout person, shift your schedule a little earlier each day before the change. Feeling wiped out? Try a quick walk instead of your usual run.
• Meal times: Eat at your regular times, even if you’re not super hungry. A small snack can tide you over if needed.
• Work habits: Trouble focusing? Break tasks into small steps or take short breaks to recharge.

These small changes can make a big difference in keeping your routine solid.

Conclusion

The daylight savings time change's effect on habits can feel like a curveball, but you can handle it with a little planning. By understanding how the time change affects your body and taking easy steps to adjust, you can keep your habits strong.

Be patient and stick with your schedule as best you can. With some effort, you’ll breeze through daylight savings and stay on track. Stay proactive, and you’ll keep your routine—and your sanity—intact!