Spring Ahead to Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time is recognized worldwide.  Throughout the month of March, people in countries around the globe will be setting their clocks forward one hour.  In the United States and Canada, Daylight Savings Time 2012 begins March 11th.  If you reside in either of these two countries, you will need to set your clocks forward one hour at 2 AM on Sunday, March 11th, 2012.  Daylight Savings Time ends November 4th, 2012.  People will then set the clocks back one hour on that date.

In Europe, Daylight Savings Time 2012 begins on March 25th.  If you reside in this country, you will need to set your clocks forward one hour at 1 AM.  Daylight Savings Time ends on October 28th when you set your clocks back one hour at 2 AM. TimeandDate.com, about 75 countries and territories have at least one location that observes Daylight Saving Time Conversely, and 164 don’t observe the time change at all.

The idea of Daylight Savings Time was credited to Benjamin Franklin.  Britain and Germany began the tradition during World War I to conserve energy.  The idea didn’t take off until World War II, however.  It has been widely recognized ever since.

Some ways to deal with the time change positively include:

• Gently preparing to “Spring Forward” on Sunday by taking one full day to rest. Studies show that it takes a full day to adjust for every hour of time change.
• Get some exercise. It will help you sleep better and more soundly.
• Make the division between night and day. Start winding down earlier in the evening.  Avoid eating large meals.

We want to provide you with a friendly little reminder that this Sunday marks the first day of Daylight Savings Time.  Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour.  If you don’t you’ll wake up late for work or church and you don’t want to start out on the wrong foot this spring.