Summary
Daylight Savings Time falls on March 9, 2025, in much of the USA. We can take steps to prepare for the time change. Safeguard your mental wellbeing. Listen to music and participate in the arts. The struggle in our lives is not over yet and will not be as long as we are alive. Like Leo Frank in Parade sings, this is not over yet. We will overcome the obstacles in life. Be positive. MLK Jr’s Dream will come true.
Daylight Savings and Wellbeing: Spring 2025
In many parts of the USA, March 9, 2025, is the date for Daylight Savings Time (DST). The change in time can affect our mental health Let’s explore Daylight Savings and Wellbeing.
Recall that not every country observes DST and, if they do, it does not necessarily fall on the same date as in the USA.
Please consult the website Timeanddate for additional information.
https://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/2025.html
Preparing for Springing Forward
The time of day change inherent to DST can have an effect on affective symptoms (mood). DST may affect our sleep routine and our meal routine, both of which can then impact our mood.
In order for us to adapt to the loss of one hour for one day (March 9, 2025) and the subsequent change in what the hours on the clock represent (ie, 7am is actually the former 6am), I recommend that we adjust our bedtime and awake time gradually prior to March 9, 2025.
For some people, the adjustment may be easy. For others, losing one hour and trying to adjust on the following days to awaken at what would actually be an hour earlier can be disruptive to mood and anxiety.
And, let’s not forget that a subset of people experience depression starting in the Spring or the Summer.
You’ve heard of the winter blues but what about summer depression?
https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/summer-depression
This is another reason to take care and prepare for DST.
How to Adjust Your Daily Routine
There are a number of strategies we can employ to adjust to DST.
Sleep Routine
Now is the time to change your bedtime habits, as much as your lifestyle will allow.
- Go to bed 15 minutes earlier.
- Get up 15 minutes earlier.
- Maintain the adjustment for a few days and then subtract another 15 minutes to bedtime and awakening time (go to bed 15 minutes earlier, get up 15 minutes earlier).
In two weeks, if you make the change every seven days, you will have altered both your wake time and sleep time by 30 minutes.
And, you said it, I should have suggested starting to make these changes two weeks ago.
Daily Routines and DST
Daily routines are impacted by DST.
Daily routines are not only comprised of the time we awaken and the time we go to bed.
Some daytime activities cannot be adjusted because they are tied to a system outside of our control: they will be adjusted by the change in social clocks. These activities include when we need to be at work; when our children need to be at school; when our yoga class is held; when the gym is open; when the grocery store opens and closes; etc. There is a ripple effect because of other activities which take place before or after our daily activities of dinner/supper; breakfast; lunch; extracurricular activities for the children; bath time; meetings outside of work.
Maybe, the best we can do is to adjust our sleep and wake schedules. If we do, I think we will be a little bit ahead of the time change!
Embrace DST 2025 for Wellbeing
Be proactive. Make choices to safeguard and promote your wellbeing.
Remember to:
- Consume a balanced diet.
- Rest enough.
- Reach out to friends.
- Smile to your neighbours.
- Drink alcohol sparingly.
- Avoid cannabis which can interfere with the efficacy of your prescribed medications and can increase the side effects of your prescribed medications.
- Express gratitude to those who enrich your life.
- Be compassionate to strangers and friends alike.
- Limit screen time.
Embrace the benefits of random acts of kindness to illuminate the goodness of humanity.
Guard yourself from disparaging the people who hold views opposing yours and/or who espouse a lifestyle from yours. They are doing the best they can, just as you are. Maybe a little compassion is warranted. Let me cite “Desiderata”:
“Exercise caution in your affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
https://www.desiderata.com/desiderata.html
Take-aways: Daylight Savings and Wellbeing in Spring 2025
Surround yourself in a cloak of cultural events, including the arts, to expand your mind and your heart.
Consider that wellbeing is a process not an outcome.
Here are a few options to help you foster your mental wellbeing at this time, in our world of negativity and socially constructed chaos, and to boost your positive emotional capital:
Man of La Mancha: The Impossible Dream, performed by the incomparable Luther Vandross (RIP), 1994 concert at The Royal Albert Hall
Wicked: Defying Gravity, performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
Jekyll & Hyde: A New Life, performed by Linda Eder
Parade- This Is Not Over Yet: 2023 Cast Recording
Take care. Be safe. Recall MLK Jr’s Dream: we will manifest his Dream, hell or high water.
Selected References:
CAMH (2025). You’ve heard of the winter blues but what about summer depression? CAMH News & Stories. Accessed online on February 15, 2025, at https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/summer-depression
Disclaimer: The content of this post is not meant to substitute for a consultation with your healthcare professional team.
If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, please CALL 9-1-1; CALL 9-8-8; OR Go to the nearest emergency room.
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