That dreaded day is upon us again—when we surrender a precious hour of our weekend to the clock gods. But before you bemoan that lost hour of beauty sleep or rushed Sunday brunch, we’ve got your survival guide right here.
Pasadenans, unite (or miss church, brunch, and pickleball date on Sunday).Clocks spring forward one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning. Here’s what you should know.
The Health Hit: More Than Just Feeling Tired
Health experts warn that the annual “spring forward” packs a surprising punch to your well-being. Dr. Kendra Becker, sleep medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente Southern California, explains that losing one hour of sleep can seriously impact your body’s internal rhythm. Here’s the bad news.
“As we lose one hour of sleep, many of us will feel more tired,” Dr. Becker said. “This can have a negative impact on our ability to perform tasks, and research tells us that, although temporary, the time change can also increase your risk of heart attacks and car accidents.”
Don’t panic though—your body typically adjusts within a week. But why suffer when you can prep like a pro?
Your Pre-DST Survival Strategy
The savvy approach: Create a luxurious bedtime routine that signals to your body it’s time to wind down (think: that fancy French lavender pillow spray you’ve been saving).
Morning sunshine is also crucial: “Get outside and soak up some sun, especially in the morning,” advises Dr. Becker. “This will help your brain produce melatonin naturally and earlier in the evening.” Consider it permission for that outdoor brunch reservation you’ve been eyeing.
And practice good sleep hygiene. That means no doomscrolling before bed, skipping that nightcap (sorry!), and saying no to that tempting late-night espresso martini.
Home Safety: The Unexpected DST Opportunity
While you’re resetting your designer timepieces, take five minutes for something decidedly unglamorous but potentially lifesaving: check your smoke detectors. Fire departments nationwide have cleverly hitched their safety messaging to this biannual ritual, making “Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries” a longstanding campaign.
The Pasadena Fire Department notes that working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a house fire by 55%—a statistic worth your attention. While you’re at it, mount alarms properly (4-12 inches from the ceiling), vacuum away dust, and if they’re chirping, swap those batteries immediately.
The DST Political Drama
Did you know Californians actually voted to end this time-shifting madness? In 2018, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 7 to establish year-round daylight saving time. But don’t toss your alarm clocks just yet—the change requires both state legislative approval and congressional action, neither of which has materialized.
Meanwhile, Hawaii and most of Arizona remain blissfully immune to our collective time trauma, staying on standard time year-round. And yes, Elon Musk has opinions on this, too (no surprise), suggesting a national referendum on Daylight Savings to settle the matter.
The Silver Lining: Free Coffee!
Here’s the fabulous news: Wescom Financial is softening the blow by offering free coffee and tea at select The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf locations this Sunday. In Pasadena, head to the 415 South Lake Avenue location to claim your complimentary caffeine fix.
“Everyone may be losing an hour of sleep, but because of our longstanding partnership with Wescom, Southern Californians can enjoy a great start to their day with a free cup of coffee or tea,” says Dee Hadley of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Even better? Wescom is also offering a chance to win $1,000 through their annual #WescomKindness event. Because if you must lose an hour of sleep, at least you could gain some shopping money.
So, friends—set those alarms, check those smoke detectors, and remember: that extra evening sunlight means extended patio season is just around the corner. Worth the temporary inconvenience? Hmmmmmmmm.
