Sunday marked two occasions, the first of which was the start of daylight saving time. Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with daylight saving time. I love the longer stretches of sunlight, a reminder that summer is around the corner. But I’d be lying if I said I couldn’t feel the missing hour of sleep.
It seems inconsequential, but it can have a dramatic effect. When I woke up yesterday, I knew I was not alone in feeling groggier than usual.
So, it’s fitting that Sunday also marked the first official day of Sleep Awareness Week (March 8-14). Sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation, which is based in Washington, D.C., the week annually coincides with the start of daylight saving time, the period when most Americans change their clocks and lose an hour of sleep. (Fun fact: Hawaii and most of Arizona don’t participate — I’m a little jealous.)
“Sleep Awareness Week is held to remind the public to prioritize healthy sleep habits,” says John Lopos, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “NSF is here to help every person, young and old, become their Best Slept Self, and that’s exactly what Sleep Awareness Week represents: a renewed commitment to better sleep for better health, performance and well-being.”
In the bedding industry, daylight saving time and the shortened night of sleep it causes in most U.S. states creates a valuable sales opportunity. In honor of Sleep Awareness Week, the National Sleep Foundation provided six tips to help people get better sleep during daylight saving time.
If you’re a retail sales associate or manage a sales team, consider sharing these tips with your customers this week. These bits of advice, in tandem with customers’ new mattresses or bedding accessories, will aid in a better night’s sleep.
Or if your job in the bedding industry is related to marketing, consider sharing these recommendations with your audience in a newsletter or on social media platforms.
Below are the National Sleep Foundation’s steps for day and night to help adjust during daylight saving time.
Daytime tips
- During daylight hours, make sure to spend ample time in bright light. If you’re stuck indoors, try opening blinds to let in natural light. If you have time, go outside for a walk to get some natural light.
- Aim for regular exercise to enhance your sleep quality. An ideal target is 30 minutes per day, five times per week.
- Try eating meals at consistent times every day, and avoid large meals right before bedtime.
Nighttime tips
- In the evening, avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol before bedtime. Also, create a consistent wind-down routine to help your mind and body prepare for bed. Wind-down routines are highly personal and can consist of a hot bath, reading a book or listening to your favorite podcast.
- An hour before bed, put your devices away to help your body feel drowsy. Blue light from screens can suppress the body’s natural melatonin production, which helps you feel tired. To aid in higher quality sleep, create an environment that’s cool, dark and cozy.
Although these tips can be considered evergreen, they are especially helpful for adjusting circadian rhythms this week.
Next week, I’ll be covering the findings of the National Sleep Foundation’s annual Sleep in America poll, now in its 34th year. The 2026 poll focuses on sleep health among children and understanding its role in the context of family health. I’ll also take a look at some of the newest children’s bedding lines on the market and why it’s an important niche for retailers.
