How to prepare for daylight saving time 2026. Here are 7 tips to help
In one week, you may be tired and cranky.
Daylight saving time is approaching. You'll lose an hour of sleep, and your internal clock will need time to adjust.
However, there is time to prepare. Here's what to know about the time change and how to adjust your body before you spring forward.
When does daylight saving start in 2026?
Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. March 8, 2026.
Does everyone spring forward?: These states don't observe daylight saving time. Here's why.
What can you do to adjust to daylight saving time?
WebMD.com has a list of tips to help you adjust after daylight saving time begins. Here are some of the ideas.
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Get some sunshine: Get some sunshine soon after waking up. The sunlight helps you reset your internal clock.
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Take a nap: If you are sleepy, take a short nap in the afternoon, but not too close to bedtime. Also, avoid sleeping in during the morning.
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Get regular sleep: Be consistent when going to sleep and waking up each day – including weekends. This will help your body regulate its sleep.
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Get exercise: Moderate exercise can help you sleep better, but don't exercise too close to bedtime.
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Relax before bed: Put the phone down, turn off the television. Stress and overstimulation make it difficult to sleep. Do something relaxing before bed like reading a book or taking a warm bath.
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Don't watch the clock: If you lie there for more than 20 minutes, get up, go to another room and do something relaxing. Watching the clock just causes more stress.
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Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Caffeine and tobacco should be avoided close to bedtime. Alcohol should be avoided four to 6 hours before bedtime.
Do I need to check anything for daylight saving time?
Along with moving your clocks ahead an hour, it's also a good time to do a couple of simple housekeeping items:
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Check or change the batteries in your smoke detectors.
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Change the direction of your ceiling fans.
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Check your home's air filters.
Is it time to stop changing our clocks?
Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester thinks is should.
During a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing in April 2025 , Blunt Rochester, a Democrat, talked about the First State pushing to keep daylight saving time and other states wanting to keep standard time.
"People across our country, are tired of the constant cycle of 'falling back' and 'springing forward,'" Blunt Rochester said in the hearing. "I mean, who hasn't forgotten to change the clock on their microwave and felt the immediate panic when you thought you were late to work? ... But in all seriousness, the back and forth between daylight saving time and standard time needs to end. We need to come to a resolution and stick with it."
Blunt Rochester pointed out the real impact time change has including disrupting sleep leading to negative health outcomes.
Does Delaware have a lawmaking daylight savings time permanent?
Yes, but there are strings attached.
Former Delaware senator David McBride sponsored the Senate Bill 73 to permanently put Delaware on daylight savings time. The bill passed the Senate and House before Governor John Carney signed the bill on Aug. 12, 2019. There is no sunset date for it.
So why are we still changing our clocks? Blame the neighbors.
While the law is in place, it cannot be enacted without certain conditions. First, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland have to enact a similar guidelines. Second, it would need approval from the United States Secretary of Transportation.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Daylight saving time 2026 7 tips to get ready for spring forward
