"Daylight Savings Time" is an Everyday Mental Health Issue

By Jordan Brown - Mental Health Newsletter Writer, Poet, Social Worker, and Advocate • Issue #317 • View online

I hate Daylight Savings Time.

OK, that’s not really fair.

I strongly dislike having my body clock thrown off for an hour for no apparent reason.

If you’re not familiar with Daylight Savings Time and its history in the United States, learn more here.

But this is not really about Daylight Savings Time.

This is not about losing or gaining an hour.

This is about subtle changes having big impacts–and about what you can do to understand how they work.

"Daylight Savings Time" is an Everyday Issue

Even the sun thinks Daylight Savings Time is weird.

We all have Daylight Savings Time in our life, even if you don’t live in the United States.

We all have issues that pop up in our lives that don’t seem major–but can become major.

If it’s not a government shift in our schedule, it’s someone else taking control of our schedule.

Someone taking control of our precious routine.

A family member telling us we have a new responsibility we didn’t ask for.

A coworker attempting to subtly unload a task on us that we should not be responsible for.

It’s all Daylight Savings Time.

Small Changes Can Have Big Impacts in the Long Term

This is a core concept in Systems Thinking, the idea that introducing a small change into a system can have a disproportionate impact on the system itself.

What happens when a new person joins a team or family unit?

It’s only one person, so you would think the impact wouldn’t be major, right?

Not exactly.

Because that one person introduces her own values, standards, and norms into that unit and, unless taught otherwise, can blow up the entire system.

How to Respond to the “Daylight Savings Time” Phenomenon

Since I just made up this phenomenon, I guess I should leave you with some takeaways, right? 😁

Identify what has just happened - This is not always easy, but it’s crucial to know how to prepare yourself.
Remember the systemic nature of small changes - Remember this! Small changes can have large impacts down the road. Keep this front and center in your mind.
Give yourself an initial adjustment period to get your bearings - It’s OK to take time to reflect and try to understand what you’re experiencing.
Be mindful of the inputs into your system(s) - When you’re dealing with a small change that is already throwing you off, be very careful not to introduce other small changes–or inputs–into the system. Several small changes introduced all at once can have devastating impacts on your life in the long term.
But….remember that small changes can work in the opposite direction - You could introduce a positive Daylight Savings Time into your life. Getting up 15 minutes earlier each day might allow you to work out, or write, or call a friend. It’s all about how you approach what you’re aiming at.

And there you have it.

Daylight Savings Time is typically viewed as a needless disturbance in the U.S.

But understanding the concept of small changes can help you create positive disturbances in your life.

When you understand how something works at a deep level, you can use it to your advantage.

Now go create some daylight.

What do you think about this take on Daylight Savings Time? Does it make sense? Can you now see examples in your life of small changes eventually having big impacts if not monitored and integrated into your life?

Think about this today. And then think about how you can use the power you have to get ahead of this phenomenon and create positive changes in your own life.

I’m rooting for you, and I’m doing the work right alongside you.

Have a great start to your week,

Jordan

P.S. Choose one person to share this email with. See what they think about it. Not everyone approaches this is in the same way, so you might come up with other small changes you can apply to your life!

Did you enjoy this issue?

Become a member for $10 per month

Don’t miss out on the other issues by Jordan Brown - Mental Health Newsletter Writer, Poet, Social Worker, and Advocate

Become a member

By Jordan Brown - Mental Health Newsletter Writer, Poet, Social Worker, and Advocate

The Mental Health Update provides you with authentic mental health articles that make mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and OCD meaningful AND accessible.

This is different from typical mental health newsletters and articles.

It's not just an Anxiety Email Newsletter or a Depression Email Newsletter - It's two weekly articles packed with timeless mental health wisdom and inspiration to start your day in a thoughtful, uplifting way.

I was tired of other newsletters blasting out generic lists of links and depression articles.

And I was especially tired of them not focusing on the everyday reality of mental health issues.

So I decided to come up with something I wanted to read.

This health newsletter is like a caring friend that just wants you to feel better.

Mental health awareness articles don't need to be all doom and gloom and filled with jargon.

With The Mental Health Update, you'll get practical mental health information, tips, and new ways to view the world. Especially now, with people reeling from the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, we need trusted voices telling it like it is.

We discuss topics like anxiety, depression, OCD, the mental health to mental illness spectrum, social and communication skills, and much, much more.

This is what a few subscribers had to say about The Mental Health Update:

"If you haven't yet subscribed to Jordan's mental health newsletter, you absolutely should. It's chock full of good stuff to read and will help make your day better. Not unlike a daily vitamin for your mental health and soul..." - JR

"Encouragement from someone who has “been there” when it comes to mental health struggles. Comes in the form of stories and simple, actionable tips for reframing and working with - and through - your issues. One of the few newsletters that has survived my ruthless inbox decluttering sprees. Highly recommended!" - Kelila

"Jordan's mental health update is a welcomed email in my inbox. It often provides me with a chance to break from the mundane tasks of working in an office and take a moment for myself to hear his thoughtful and well put together thoughts on many aspects of mental health. As someone who works in the psychology field it's often a nice reminder and way of grounding myself to all the great work that's going on and the journey we all must take in supporting mental health. Thank you Jordan!" - Rob

I take my no-spam policy very seriously. I consider it a mental health obligation to not abuse your trust.

Newsletter articles sent on Monday and Wednesday.

Members receive detailed information from those articles on Tuesday and Thursday AND an exclusive Friday email as well.

Tweet

"Daylight Savings Time" is an Everyday Mental Health Issue

The Mental Health Update provides you with authentic mental health articles that make mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and OCD meaningful AND accessible.

This is what a few subscribers had to say about The Mental Health Update:

Older messages

Ever feel worthless? (3 minutes to mindset change)

Does it ever get better? Yes, but...

Not Doing "Enough" - My Honest Realization

3 Anxiety Demons You Might Recognize

How I Figure Out What I Want

You Might Also Like

The Year Bisexuality Stopped Being a Punchline

Blake Lively’s Cleavage-Baring Red Carpet Look Was Basically Chic PJs

11 Different Kinds of Checking Accounts, Explained

A Man's Hotel Is His Castle

Lost my seat to… what now?

"2020 A Year to Forget" by Nancy Mercado

And The #1 Hair Color Trend Of 2025 Will Be...

5 Ways You Can Lose Your Social Security Benefits

The Weekly Wrap #192

New subscriber discount ends tonight!