Make the Most of More Sunlight: How to Reset Your Routine for Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday, March 9, which means increased daylight, later sunsets, and spring right around the corner. Longer days ahead mean it’s the perfect time to reset your routine. We talked to Gabriel Sher, Head of Acupuncture at ORA—a tranquil, spa-like retreat in New York City (with locations in Noho and the Upper East Side) that focuses on acupuncture’s healing and rejuvenating factors—to get advice on how to optimize sleep, adjust meal times, and boost productivity with the extra daylight coming our way.

Acupuncture Can Help Optimize Sleep With Increased Daylight Hours

With longer days comes the temptation to stay out later to enjoy the extra hours of sunlight via alfresco dinners and long outdoor walks—and skew our sleep schedules in the process. But staying on track when it comes to sleep is important. “Keeping a consistent routine, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, helps regulate your circadian rhythm, ensuring deep and restorative sleep,” says Sher.

You can further ensure you’re handling this “spring forward” right by employing some simple acupuncture practices. “Acupuncture can also support this transition by calming the nervous system and preparing the body for rest,” says Sher. “Heart 7 (Shen Men), located on the wrist, is known for soothing the mind and easing anxiety, making it easier to wind down at night. Anmian, behind the ear, is another go-to point for promoting deep sleep and relaxation. And if you find yourself feeling overstimulated in the evenings, stimulating Yintang, the point between your eyebrows, can help ease stress and quiet a racing mind.” 

Adjust to More Sunlight With Specific Meal Times & Seasonal Foods

In addition to sleep, how does increased sunlight affect what—and when—we eat? “As the days get longer, our bodies naturally start shifting with the season,” Sher explains. “One simple way to stay in balance is adjusting your meal times to match the sun’s rhythm. Eating breakfast earlier, within the first few hours of daylight, helps jumpstart your metabolism and set your energy for the day. Lunch around 12-1 p.m. is ideal when digestion is strongest, and even though longer days might make you want to push dinner later, sticking to 6-7 p.m. supports digestion and better sleep.”

The shift in seasons also affects what we eat. “When it comes to food, lighter, whole foods align with the seasonal shift,” says Sher. “Start incorporating more fresh, local produce. Visit the farmers market and eat what’s in season to help your body transition naturally.” 

Use Extra Daylight to Boost Energy & Productivity—While Maintaining Balance

Spring is naturally associated with more activity and fresh starts, and the sun setting later adds to that. But there are specific ways to harness that energy. “Winter is about slowing down, but as we move toward spring, that expansive yang energy begins to build,” Sher tells us. “The extra daylight naturally gives us more energy and motivation, so use it to get outside, take a walk, ride your bike, and move your body. Morning sunlight is especially powerful—getting outside within 30 minutes of waking helps regulate your circadian rhythm and boosts your mood for the entire day.”

However, it’s also easy to overdo it and Sher cautions to focus on balance this season. “With more daylight, it’s easy to keep going and going, but overextending yourself can lead to burnout,” says Sher. “Prioritize moments of stillness, whether it’s meditation, deep breathing, or simply unwinding before bed, to stay grounded and avoid exhaustion.”

Services to Book As Seasons Shift

Specific acupuncture services can help solve imbalances caused by longer days. Specifically at ORA, Sher recommends: “Pairing acupuncture with Red Light Therapy is one of the best ways to support your body through this transition. Acupuncture helps regulate energy, calm the nervous system, and align with the shifting season, while Red Light Therapy enhances mood, supports mental health, and helps keep your sleep cycles in balance. If you’re feeling a bit off, restless, or depleted, this combination will help reset your system so you can move into spring feeling more energized, clear, and aligned.”

A Final Note on Finding Balance in Longer Days

As a closing reflection, Sher reiterates to celebrate the increase in sunlight while protecting your energy. “More daylight can be energizing, but it also means a rise in yang energy, which, if not balanced, can leave you feeling overstimulated or restless,” says Sher. “The key is easing into the shift, incorporating gentle movement practices like yoga, qi gong, or tai chi to help your body transition.”

“Even though the sun is up later, don’t sacrifice rest,” Sher continues. “Try to dim lights in the evening, limit screen time before bed, and create a wind-down routine to help signal to your body that it’s time to relax. Finding the balance between activity and rest will help you embrace the vibrant energy of spring without feeling depleted.”

ORA is located at 9 E. 4th St., New York, NY 10003 and 1114 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10028 

The Related Life is written and produced by the Related Life Editorial Team. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest events, news, and announcements in your area, and tag us for a chance to be featured @therelatedlife and #therelatedlife.