Spring Forward with Ease
Spring is just around the corner, y’all. And with the new season comes warmer weather, trees and flowers blooming, the sweet song of birds singing. Oh, and Daylight Saving Time (DST). It’s knocking on ours door once again.
The time change is usually the topic of conversation amongst my friends a couple of weeks prior. While spring brings me much happiness for the longer days ahead and enjoying a favorite flavor at one of my local wineries, I’m not a fan of DST.
Springing forward can really wreak havoc on not only my life, but the lives of my pets, too. I know DST had its purpose in the 1960's to save on fuel, but we’re in a new century (and millennia)! With all of our fuel options these days, I'm not so sure that DST is as necessary now as it was back then.
I don't know why the powers that be must keep us suspended in time for at least a week so our bodies can adjust each time we change the clocks. Spring DST not only causes issues with sleeping rhythms, but can affect my behavior, decisions and eating habits. And as a proud pet parent, I've seen the disruption DST causes in my pets' lives, too. Y’all can relate, right?
I have always allowed DST to take me by surprise every year, and then I finally became wise. Why continue to suffer for a week or so when I can find a proactive solution for both myself and my hubby, and the fur babies? So, I have chosen to confront DST and am taking charge to help ease the transition for us all. And here's how I do it…
Recognizing that my family are creatures of habit, implementing such a significant time change throws our routines out of whack. I like to take it slow. Two weeks before DST Spring, I take the time to gently adjust my schedule and begin to push times forward by 10 minutes every few days.
For example: instead of feeding my fur babies at 5pm, I may give them a little "snack" around 4pm and then give them dinner at 5:10pm for a few days. I repeat that step and push dinner another 5 - 10 minutes every few days until DST is in place.
So, when DST actually arrives Curtis, Mercedes, Zsa-ZsA, Melody, Braveheart and I will be happily adjusted to the new DST life. I hope my transition tips can help you and your fur babies approach DST with ease.
Be Greatly Blessed & Stay Groovy! Amy