Daylight Savings Tips 

By: Chelle Stoneburg, BCBA

It’s that time of year (again!), Daylight Savings Time! This year Daylight Savings will begin on March 9, 2025. The clocks will “Spring Forward” at 2:00AM, making it 3:00AM. We’re all excited for some extra sunshine, but this does mean you lose one hour of sleep that night, and may lead to some tricky wakeup and bedtime routines for a few days! Here are a few tips from our Behavior Analysts to hopefully ease the transition.

• A few days before Daylight Savings, start your bedtime routine a few minutes Beginning on Monday, move your evening routines up by 10 minutes each day. This gradual change will help your kiddos adjust to the earlier bedtime!
• Use an “Okay to Wake” clock to introduce light into your child’s bedroom to combat the dark mornings. If you don’t have a clock like this, consider turning on a bathroom or hallway light and cracking the bedroom door about 30 minutes before wakeup.
• Be sure to spend plenty of time outside, to help the body adjust to the new schedule. Sunlight assists in resetting the circadian rhythm. Going out in the morning time is best to fight the sleepies!
• Do your best to limit technology before bedtime. We all know screens can make it more difficult to fall asleep, and an earlier bedtime does you no favors. Consider no TV or tablets at least 1 hour before bedtime.
• Add a meditation or relaxation exercise to your bedtime routine. We love a “Magic Stretch” progressive muscle relaxation. Start with your head and practice tensing and relaxing muscles as your scan down the body. Go from head, shoulders, arms, fingers, etc. until you reach the toes!
• As with everything in life, consistency is key. Keep your typical nap and bedtime routines throughout the transition period. Do not be tempted to allow longer naps or late bedtimes on the weekends. Monday will thank you!