Daylight Saving Time: Top ten DST personal survival tips

On Sunday, technology types will be watching their applications, PCs, servers and networks to see whether change in Daylight Saving Time (DST) will affect their infrastructure and CIOs will be looking at the bill, fellow ZDNet blogger Larry Dignan reports.

But what about YOU? Not only is your personal technology at risk from the earliest-ever return to DST, you are too, personally!

Insomnia, depression, even automobile accidents are some of the risks you face from this Sunday’s DST.

A lot of brains will be thrown out of whack, as the clocks shift forward by an hour in, so predicts the University of Michigan Sleep Disorders Center:

Even though the clock will say 8 a.m., it will feel like 7 a.m. to our brains and bodies – and that will leave many people feeling groggy or “not quite right” for a day or more. The Monday morning commute on the day after DST starts is especially hard, and is associated with a spike in sleepy-driving crashes.

DST takes away yet another hour of healthy sleep, National Sleep Foundation warns.

You have the power to ward off the negative impacts of DST, however, and reclaim happy, healthy sleeping!

TOP TEN DST PERSONAL SURVIVAL TIPS

1) Start going to bed 15 minutes earlier each evening,

2) Set wakeup alarm 15 minutes earlier than usual,

3) Develop a 30 minute “wind down” pre-bedtime relaxation routine,

4) Create a dark, quiet and comfortable bedroom environment,

5) Avoid coffee, smoking and drinking several hours before bedtime,

6) Exercise regularly during the day, but avoid evening exercise,

7) Take a short early afternoon nap on Saturday,

8) Set clock ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday,

9) On Sunday, get up at usual clock time,

10) After DST, go to bed at usual clock time.

PS: SWEET DREAMS!