When the clocks "spring forward" on March 14th, don't be surprised if the robbed hour puts you in a funk. Twilight is only sexy in the movies, we know - not at 6am when the first birds of spring are supposed to be chirping and the rosy hint of dawn should be gracing the eastern horizon.

In the unseeming gloom you'll find it all too fitting that this time switch was first introduced during World War I. You're not alone in your dark mood: according to the Journal of Applied Psychology (2009), the loss of one hour of shut-eye leaves us lethargic and more accident-prone. Statistics indicated that job-related injuries increased dramatically following the Daylight Savings Time shift in spring.

This is because humans have a natural cycle (called circadian rhythm) that dislikes such interruptions to the norm. The good news? Just like combating jet lag, there are actions you can take before the switch to minimize the effects of a lost hour:

1. Progressively go to bed a few minutes earlier a week before the clock change.

2. Be sure you get sufficient exposure to natural light. Your body’s circadian rhythm depends on it.

3. Changes in time and seasonal weather can affect your immune system, so continue to eat vitamin-rich foods. A rule of thumb is to eat one thing in its natural state with every meal (yes, lettuce on your sandwich counts!).

4. Sleep with the shades drawn for a few days so it is easier to get up in the morning.

5. Research at the University of Sussex has shown that reading for just 6 minutes can reduce your stress level by 68%. Integrate some reading time into your routine before you go to sleep.

What do you do to overcome time shifts and jet lag? Share your tips in the comments!

*with contribution from Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of The Power Of Slow: 101 Ways to Save Time in our 24/7 World.