My, another month has flown, and subtle signs of spring are starting. Days are getting longer, and at times, the sun’s rays remind us of the power and promise of Mother Nature. We at Pathfinder Produce are looking forward to another season of serving our market patrons, as well as to planting seeds in our hoop houses for this summer’s delicious Pathfinder grown produce.
As always, we invite you to come to our next weekly market, on Thursday, Feb. 28, from noon to 5 p.m. to shop and sample the freshest, tastiest produce around! Plus, we offer our online ordering service, which builds convenience into the entire Pathfinder Produce experience.
In this week’s blog, my colleague Martha Spiegel looks forward to “springing ahead” and has some suggestions for improving one’s sleep patterns.
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Springing Ahead
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for some.
Daylight savings time is fast approaching; it begins at 2 am on March 10. For me, this is one of the best days of the year. To instantly have another hour of daylight makes me feel happy and energized. While I have to wake up in the dark for a few weeks, I don’t really mind, because I like to wake up gradually. Coming home in the evening with hours of daylight left, however, boosts my spirits and I get more accomplished before settling in for the night.
I know that some people struggle with the time change, and not just for one day, so I did some investigating. In reading an article in Science-Based Medicine, I learned that clocks were originally set based on sunrises and sunsets. Since people did not travel much or travelled very slowly, this was not an issue. With the advent of railways, a more standardized method became necessary, and the four existing time zones were established in 1883 in the US. Daylight Savings Time was first adopted in Germany and Austria during WWI but did not come to America until 1918. After a rocky and inconsistent start, it became standard practice in 1966. The Science-Based Medicine article gives a concise history of a rather confusing concept!
Most people adjust to the time change within a day, but what to do if you are not one of them? According to WebMD, circadian rhythms determine sleep patterns and are greatly influenced by light. Controlling exposure to light can help you to keep on track. Try not to place yourself under bright lights when it is dark outside, such as if you need to get up during the night; use nightlights instead of turning on overhead lights. Also, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day if possible, and practice good sleep habits such as limiting caffeine, screen time and alcohol consumption, and adopt a relaxing bedtime ritual.
Further suggestions from Consumer Reports include placing yourself in bright light as soon as possible in the morning, and going to bed early on Saturday night and not sleeping in on Sunday. Sleeping in can cause you to lose more sleep on Sunday night, which perpetuates the cycle and contributes to sleep deprivation when waking up for work on Monday morning. Also, take extra care on the road; even if you feel awake and alert, there’s a good chance that there are some sleepy drivers on the road.
For those of you who are not fond of the time change, I hope this is helpful. And remember, the start of Daylight Savings Time means spring is on the way!
Until next time, sleep well and think spring,
Martha (and Lori)
