It's THAT Time Again!

We will set clocks to ‘spring’ forward at 2 a.m. on March 13 this year.

That is not an accurate statement, now that I think about it. I am one of many who, in times past, managed to set only one clock correctly before going to bed the night before Daylight Saving Time kicked in. Then I would spend weeks, maybe months, playing guessing games with the other clocks in my life - on the stove, in the car, on entertainment devices, etc. That was less challenging than figuring out how to reset them.

Now I can still play the guessing games if I want to, but I seem to pay no mind to most clocks these days. The important one - the one on my phone - changes all by itself in the middle of the night. Because I am a natural worrywart, I still play guessing games the next morning. Did it really change? How do I know? It’s futile to use anything but another phone to verify.

Research shares steps we can take to make our physical adjustment a little less frustrating.

*Try going to bed 15 to 30 minutes earlier a few days before the switch. For some of us that will mean turning off our screened devices a bit earlier as well.

*Don’t alter other routines and times. Stick to the same meal times, exercise regimens and social outings.

*Enjoy some sunshine in the early mornings if possible.

*If napping is routine, take naps earlier in the day and keep them short - no more than 20 minutes.

*Four to six hours before bedtime, limit beverages like caffeine and alcohol. They can interfere with sleep quality during the transition to the new time.

Happy Daylight Saving Time, says no one ever. At least it isn't a Friday, the 13th.