It’s been over a week since we’ve turned our clocks back an hour, so Daylight Saving Time is officially over! As we get used to darker afternoons and colder temperatures, it becomes even more important to use our time in the most productive and positive ways possible.
How can we tackle the end of Daylight Saving without losing ourselves and an extra hour of daylight?
1. Get Up Early
For most of us, getting up early is painful and therefore avoided at all costs. However, there are benefits to getting up early. According to Forbes, people who get up early are likely to be more proactive, better problem solvers, and even have more positive outlooks overall. Even if you can set your alarm a mere 15 minutes earlier than you’re used to, you’ll be a happier person for it in the long run.
Whether you’re getting up early to meal prep or walk your dog, this is your time to transform into that “early bird who gets the worm!” Making sure you get a proper night sleep will help you feel refreshed in the morning and ready to tackle your day. Plus, with Daylight Saving Time now over, the sun is up earlier, so let that light shine into your bedroom!
2. Exercise
Up early, how about a quick workout? There are proven benefits to working out in the morning, that even the night owls can’t refute! Not only will you build muscle faster, but you’ll be more active throughout the day. The MYX and The MYX Plus, launching on November 14th 2019, have tons of great10 minute workouts that can be done just after you roll out of bed. So hit the snooze button on sleeping, and get sweating!
3. Write Down Your Gratitudes
Ever catch yourself find yourself feeling down this time of year? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It is estimated that around 1.6 billion people suffer from seasonal depression. According to Psychology Today, there is a definite correlation between depression and the transition out of Daylight Saving Time.
One way to remedy your mopey melancholy is to write down your gratitudes. When you’re feeling low, try to carve out a few minutes to write down what you’re grateful for. In writing down what you’re thankful for, you can lower your and simultaneously elevate your good mood!
4. Create Your To-Do List
As Ben Franklin once said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Creating your to-do list the night before will not only declutter your mind, but set the scene for a productive day as soon as you wake up!
As the organizational gurus at Business Insider explains, many people make their to-do list just before completing the outlined tasks. This can result in an increase in morning stress, and overall unproductivity. When you create your to-do list the night before, you will reduce your sense of urgency and stress around completing the tasks themselves.
But let’s not get crazy now. Forbes says that your to-do list shouldn’t have more than 3 items on it, and that you should complete the first and most important task in the morning. That way you can start the day off right, without feeling overwhelmed by your assigned tasks.
Three cheers for tranquility and to-do lists!
5. Reach Out to Loved Ones
What keeps you going throughout the day? For most people, it is the thought of coming home to their partner, children, or beloved pet. As much as we love connecting with our loved ones, we don’t do it as often as we should.
If you make a point to call or even text a loved one each day, you can avoid this guilt entirely. All the while, your friend, parent or sibling might just tell you something that could brighten your day!
Already a pro on all things productivity? Check out these 23 Things to Do With Your Extra Daylight Saving Hour that will surely take up your time.
