Spring Forward into Better Sleep

Your Number One Center with the Best Mattress Deals in Atlanta, GA Talks About Springing Forward and Its Effects on Your Sleep

Transitioning from standard time to daylight saving time can take a serious toll on your health, especially if you fail to get enough sleep. If you’re one of the many who find it hard to adjust to the seasonal time change, here are some tips that can help you spring forward into better sleep. Plus, you’ll get to know how finding the best mattress deals in Atlanta, GA can help you sleep soundly through the night!   

Your Body Needs Adequate Sleep. Here’s Why.

A good night’s sleep plays an important role in protecting and maintaining your physical and mental health, safety, and quality of living. Therefore, not having enough quality sleep can affect the way you think, act, work, react, learn, and interact with other people.  

People usually function better throughout the day when they get enough quality sleep. Studies show that it helps improves a person’s attentiveness, decision-making, learning ability, and creativity. Other studies likewise showed that sleep helps improve one’s concentration, productivity, and cognition.  

Sleep is essential to your health and general well-being. Specifically, it helps:  

• Improve your mood by making you feel rested and refreshed.  
• Improve problem-solving skills and enhances the memory of both adults and children.  
• Avoid the risk of depression. 

• Promote better cardiovascular health by repairing and healing heart and blood vessels. 
• Boost the immune system by allowing immune cells to get enough rest. 
• Prevent weight gain and reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.  
• Promote greater athletic performance. 

With all these benefits, getting enough quality sleep should be your top priority, no matter how hectic your schedule is.  

In Comes DST. Now What?

Every year (typically during the warmer months), most parts of the United States and Canada synchronously advance their clocks one hour ahead of standard time and set it back by one hour in the autumn. Known as daylight saving time or DST, proponents claim that such a practice can help protect the environment, decrease energy consumption, and reduce crime rates.  

However, as people transition from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time, it would mean more morning darkness and more evening light. This may lead to more feelings of fatigue in the morning but more alertness in the evening. 

Also, DST may delay circadian functions causing problems in the metabolic, behavioral, and cognitive functions, leaving people feeling very tired, groggy, and irritable. The twice-a-year resynchronization of the body clocks also increases health risks such as obesity, heart attacks, depression, and cancer. 

As our body keeps track of time, constant changes in the daily patterns may cause stress, sleep loss, memory loss, and difficulties in learning, cognitive functions, and interactions with other people. With DST robbing us of an hour of sleep, there is also an increased risk of sleep deficiency which may increase the risk of mood disturbance, traffic accidents, and even suicide.  

DST or Not: Tips for Better Sleep

Having quality sleep brings a lot of benefits to our health and safety so always aim for a good night’s sleep! Here are some tips you can use to improve your sleep quality: 

If you are following the DST schedule: 

• Sleep 15 to 30 minutes earlier than your usual bedtime to help your body adjust to the changes. 
• Avoid drinking coffee and alcohol 4 to 6 hours before going to bed since they may keep you from having good quality sleep. 

• Avoid taking long naps during the day as it may interfere with adjusting to DST. Keep naps 20 minutes at max. 
• Always stick to your schedule. Wake up and sleep at consistent times. 
• Get enough sunlight.  

For those who do not follow the DST schedule: 

Aside from following the above-mentioned tips, here are some additional tips to ensure a good night’s sleep.  

• Keep electronics and gadgets away to avoid the temptation of staying up late. 
• Take melatonin supplements to improve your sleep quality, especially if you have difficulty sleeping. 
• Have your bedroom set to a temperature depending on your preferences and habits. High body and room temperature may decrease your sleep quality. 
• Always have time for yourself. Set a time to relax and clear your mind off things as it is better to sleep with a clear mind. 
• Take a relaxing shower or bath before your bedtime. 

• Exercise regularly, but not before going to bed. 
• You should also avoid eating late at night and before going to bed. 
• Use a high-quality bed, mattress, and pillows to help you sleep better through the night. 

Find the Best Mattress Deals in Atlanta, GA at Fred’s Beds!

At Fred’s Beds, we have everything you need for a good night’s sleep – at an incredibly affordable price! Visit our mattress clearance center in Cumming, GA, or call us at 770-628-5875 to get the best deal on your dream mattress today.  

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