“It's Nearly Time To 'Spring Forward”

Are you getting excited for Daylight Savings Time?

Here at Gordon Bay Marine, it means boating season is just around the corner.

     Now you have to get excited about that! 

2am on Sunday March 11th Canadians will set their clocks ahead by one hour welcoming Daylight Savings Time - The beginning of the spring ahead and the end of winter. 

While many of us are looking forward to longer periods of daylight, few are thinking of the danger of a disrupted sleep schedule.

This has absolutely nothing to do with boating, snowmobiling or anything else you would expect a marina to be blogging about, but I found it very interesting and thought I’d share.

Let’s talk a little about Daylight Danger.

Being drowsy is more dangerous than you think. 

Every year Canadians lose an average of 40 minutes of sleep when they make the switch.

This doesn't sound like a lot but according to a McMaster University study called "Sleep Deficit, Fatal Accidents and the Spring Shift to Daylight Savings Time,"

Traffic crashes during the Monday following the weekend of turning the clock ahead one hour increased by a significant 17 per cent compared to the average Monday.

Most of the accidents occur in the afternoon, when your body would be winding down from a long day of work.

The increase in accidents is attributed to the disruption of circadian rhythms, which can have other negative biological effects such as an increase in heart attacks.

The loss of sleep is similar to that of alcohol consumption and can seriously alter your emotions, judgment, ability to react, and your ability to learn.

Here are 5 tips to help you cope with the Daylight Savings hangover.

1.Practice. Help your body get use to the impending change by practicing for the big day. Go to bed and wake up early the weekend ahead of the change.

2.Take A Nap. If you have a chance grab a quick catnap the following Monday, this will help you feel refreshed and less sleepy. Be careful not to attempt activities like driving or operating heavy machinery should you feel drowsy.

3.Get Some Sun. When you have a chance go outside and get some sun. Sunlight’s helps to regulate our internal clock regulating sleep.

4.Go For An Early Morning Run. Morning exercise is a great way to regulate your sleep and help you feel nice and refreshed. Just try not to exercise to close to bed time or it may keep you awake.

5.Downtime In The Dark. When you are getting ready for bed make sure to wind down in a nice dark room, the lack of sunlight will help remind your body that it's time for sleep.

So let’s all Practice, take a nap, get some sun & really try to get out for that morning run!