As we advance into Fall, the days are getting shorter and gloomier. Its rainy and cold outside, and glimpses of sunshine are between far and few. For a lot of people this is a difficult time of year. For many it’s even worse when the end of Daylight Saving comes around, which just so happens to be this Sunday, November 3rd!

We can relish the extra hour of sleep for one day, but in return, the majority pays the price by waking up to darkness outside and ending the day past daylight as well – and this goes on for months. For people working 8+ hour days, multiple days a week, many days can go by in between being able to enjoy the daylight. This brings to light the question; how do you survive the daylight-saving hangover?

Well, we’ve got some helpful tips to get you through the change!

Head to Bed Earlier

In the days leading up to the end of Daylight Savings Time, try going to bed at least 15 minutes earlier than you normally would. By doing so, you can help your body adjust to the time change more smoothly and lessen or avoid the dreaded hangover.

Keep Up a Routine

Having and maintaining a routine comes with several benefits, it can help you be more productive and focused, lower your stress and anxiety, improve your mental health, and contribute to better health overall.

Exercise

Exercise can improve your quality of sleep, in turn allowing you to feel better rested. Even if it's a quick 10-minute workout - a few minutes a day is better than nothing at all!

Get Your Vitamin D

Our bodies need Vitamin D, which we naturally get from daylight. With limited daylight hours and harsher weather, finding opportunities to get outdoors can be tough this time of year. We suggest that you try taking a short walk during lunch breaks, or if possible, set up your workspace near a window. You can also speak to your Co-op pharmacist for Vitamin D supplements during the Fall/Winter Months.

Stay Safe!

Reduced hours of daylight also bring up safety concerns such as a lack of visibility and decreased sight. This can increase risk for people of all ages. Children walking to school early in the morning may be less visible to drivers on the road. The same goes for people jogging or walking in the morning or evening in the dark.

To combat this risk, we suggest everyone take precaution by increasing their visibility to drivers when outdoors in the dark. You may choose to carry a flashlight, or put reflective tape on your backpack, or maybe you want to be hands-free and you’re not carrying any bag at all, well in this case you may consider a headlamp – they’re not all gaudy you know?

To simplify things for you, all the items that we just mentioned, can be found in the Hardware section of our Langley Retail Centre location. So, stop by and get prepared for the shorter days ahead!

As we settle into this darker season, remember that small adjustments can make a big difference in keeping our spirits up and staying healthy. Embrace the change with a few positive habits—whether it's a little more time outside, a slight tweak to your routine, or simply gearing up with some extra safety tools!