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Time Change Wrap-Up

Time to "Spring Ahead"

From About.com

Updated: April 1, 2006

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Clocks - AHEAD

Clocks - AHEAD

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Tomorrow marks the end of Sleep Awareness Week 2006, but it's tonight the clocks go ahead an hour. Don't forget to change all your clocks before you go to bed.

I hope you're prepared for the time change. Move into tomorrow as though there was never a change. If you usually get up when the clock reads seven AM, then do that tomorrow morning. Do you usually have breakfast at eight AM? Then, tomorrow morning, when the clock says eight, it's time to eat.

Never try to figure out the "real time." "My clock reads seven AM, but it's really only six, so I can sleep for another hour." Or, "The clock reads ten PM, but it's really only nine, so I can stay up another hour." That way lies madness, or at least a headache.

Sure, it's April Fools Day, but the time change isn't fooling, so go with the flow. Everyone else is. Your job, other businesses, bus lines, airlines, will all be on the new time, so it would be wise, and much easier on you in the long run, if you changed, too, and the quicker the better.

I had an aunt who never changed her clock. Winter and summer, she was always on standard time. It was fine for her. She was a recluse who never went anywhere. It was a bit more difficult for family and friends, trying to figure out just what time it was at her house if they wanted to phone or visit.

Time change is a good reminder to do annual or semi-annual chores. Tomorrow, check the smoke alarms to see if they are in working order. This could also be a good reminder to call family or friends you haven't seen or called in a long time. You'll probably think of other things you should do at least annually.

The biggie, though, is to remember tonight to move the hands on the clock an hour ahead, and move into spring on the right foot and the right time.

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