Daylight Savings Time in Illinois: Here’s Your Survival Guide

Ah yes, the dreaded "Spring Forward" is upon us, where we all collectively lose an hour of sleep. Oh no, how will we survive?! (insert dramatic gasp here). If you're dragging on Monday, it's not because of the clocks—it's because it's Monday and Mondays are inherently the worst.

But that's just ME. I love baseball season and the sun hanging up there amongst a few clouds for an extra hour or so every day. The JOY I derive from that far outweighs any adverse effects of losing an hour of sleep.

YOU hate what's about to happen. The DST makes you feel DOA. For you, I have the following eight suggestions for getting through your dire circumstances.

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Daylight Savings Time Survival Guide

1. Go to Bed Earlier (like that’s gonna happen)

Experts say you should adjust your bedtime by 15 minutes each night leading up to the time change. What you're actually going to do—you’re going to stay up watching Netflix and then complain all day Sunday.

2. Embrace the Power Nap

A quick 20-minute nap can do wonders. Just make sure you don’t enter "accidental two-hour coma" territory.

3. Get Morning Sunlight (Yes, GO OUTSIDE)

Apparently, exposing yourself to natural light in the morning helps reset your internal clock.

4. Limit Caffeine (HAHA, OK SURE)

Experts recommend avoiding caffeine in the afternoon to help your body adjust. Experts need to shut up!

5. Don’t Schedule Anything Important Monday Morning

6. Beware of the Sleep-Deprived Masses on the Road

Studies show there’s an increase in car accidents after the time change.

7. Change Your Clocks Saturday Night

Your phone will do it automatically, but that one microwave clock? Your car? Those will stay wrong until at least June unless you’re feeling ambitious.

8. Just Accept That You’ll Be Tired and Cranky

No amount of preparation will stop the universal grogginess and irritation. So lean into it. Be kind to yourself.

Good luck. See you all on the other side of this unnecessary chaos. I mean that with love ❤️