The clocks have gone forward; the evenings are lighter; spring is definitely here!
I love this time of year; it’s always filled with so much hope as the daffodils begin to pop up everywhere.
What do you mean, you’re struggling to get over the lost hour from last weekend?
Ok… maybe I am a little bit too!
The problem is, our alarm clock says it’s time to get up – but our bodies think we’re still due another hour of sleep!
The annual “spring forward” can disrupt our sleep patterns and the body’s natural circadian rhythm – which can leave us feeling pretty groggy!
I know what you’re thinking: Hang on, I thought this email was about Mental Sunshine and cheering me up?!
It is!
I thought that now would be a great time to tell you two ways to help your body to adjust to the time change – both now and when travelling across time zones.
The first thing to do is to get some natural sunlight as early in the morning as possible.
Get up and spend a few minutes outside – perhaps drink your morning coffee in the garden.
When we get sunlight into our eyes first thing in the morning, this prompts our bodies to release a cascade of hormones which regulate our circadian rhythm.
This will begin by making us feel more awake first thing in the morning – but once that cascade has been put into action, it carries on throughout the day, ending by releasing a hormone to make us sleepy at bedtime.
The second thing to try is one of those things that sounds a bit hippie-ish – but comes very squarely under the heading of “don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
When you go outside in the morning – or later in the day if you’re feeling a little fragile – take your shoes and socks off, and walk barefoot on the ground.
Have a little wander around the garden barefoot.
Even better if you have a wander at the beach, or perhaps enjoy an al fresco swim!
The idea is to allow our bodies to connect to the Earth’s natural electric charge.
I know, it sounds a bit woo-woo and made up… but also: it can’t hurt to try, can it?
Apparently, the Earth has a slightly negative charge, and by allowing our bare skin to come into contact with this, we absorb these electrons.
There have been several studies into the benefits of “grounding” or “earthing” as it’s sometimes called.
It is said to help with inflammation, sleep, stress and mood.
Even if you don’t believe it’ll help you recover from the clocks going forward
Just having a nice quiet, barefoot walk on some grass can be quite relaxing.
Have you tried either of these?
Is there something else you do to help your body recover from the leap forward?