Spring Ahead: Let Chicago’s best spa help you adjust to the time change

This weekend, it will be time to set our clocks ahead one hour for the start of Daylight Savings Time. We’ll all be losing an hour and that can be hard on your body – especially if you’re already tired or sleep deprived.

“If you are getting seven to eight hours of sound sleep and go to bed a little early the night before, you may wake up feeling refreshed. If you are sleep-deprived already, getting by on six hours, you’re probably in a bit of trouble, especially if you consume alcohol or caffeine close to bedtime,” the experts at WebMD tell us. “In this situation, you may well experience the decrements of performance, concentration, and memory common to sleep-deprived individuals, as well as fatigue and daytime sleepiness.”

Our sleep cycles are largely regulated by our circadian rhythms.  “If you’ve ever noticed that you tend to feel energized and drowsy around the same times every day, you have your circadian rhythm to thank,” the National Sleep Foundation says. “What is it, exactly? Your circadian rhythm is basically a 24-hour internal clock that is running in the background of your brain and cycles between sleepiness and alertness at regular intervals. It’s also known as your sleep/wake cycle.”

It’s great to have the light shining on long summer nights but for many of us, the switch to Daylight Savings Time means we’ll be getting up in the dark – and your body isn’t going to like that.  As WebMD explains, light is what rules your circadian rhythm – and you can use it to help your body adjust to the time change.  “Light suppresses the secretion of the sleep-inducing substance melatonin. So it is important to expose yourself to the light during the waking hours as much as possible, and conversely, do not expose yourself to bright light when it is dark outside,” WebMD says. “For example, if you get up at night to go to the bathroom, do not turn on the light. Prepare beforehand by installing a night light.”

The experts at WebMD also say that practicing good sleep hygiene can help.  “Sleep hygiene is a term used to describe those actions you can take to create sleep-friendly environments and enhance your chances of falling asleep, staying asleep, and sleeping soundly,” they explain. “Basic sleep hygiene includes reducing or eliminating caffeine and alcohol, exercising several hours before bedtime, creating calming rituals before bed to gradually relax yourself (taking a hot bath for example), and wearing ear plugs and eye masks, to name a few. Also important is going to bed and rising at the same time every day. Though there is no evidence that certain diets will actually influence your circadian rhythm, carbohydrates tend to make it easier to fall sleep.”

A revitalizing treatment at Spa Space, which consistently ranks among the best Chicago spas, may also help you adjust to the time change.

Consider a fabulous Chicago massage or, perhaps, an invigorating Exfoliating Body Scrub. Our facial-grade aromatic body scrubs invigorate, exfoliate and leave the skin velvety smooth. The full-body treatment is concluded with the application of a luxurious hydrating moisturizer to give your skin a healthy glow.

Spa Space is one of the most progressive spas in Chicago. Our holistic approach body and mind wellness can help you cope with many of the stresses and strains of this thing we call life. Our carefully-selected, licensed and highly trained professionals have passion for their craft and a dedication to continuing education in their field, and this makes all the difference as they customize each service to the individual. Located in the West Loop, Spa Space offers incredible Chicago massages, revitalizing body treatments and more. Whether you’re looking for a men’s spa, the perfect place for a couples’ spa day or fabulous facials in Chicago, Spa Space is the best day spa in Chicago.