Daylight Saving Time: How to Survive Darkness in Michigan

Along with the annual emergence of PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte), DST (Daylight Saving Time) makes its way into Michigan's vocabulary this time of year as Michigan gears up to "fall back" an hour. At the same time, you're probably thinking, "Yay! An extra hour of sleep!"—don't get too cozy in your flannel and boots just yet. This seemingly harmless and often celebrated time shift can actually wreak havoc on your body and mind, and who needs that?

RELATED: Ending Daylight Saving Time In Michigan: Sunshine Bill Status

Sure, it sounds like a dream: more sleep, brighter mornings. But the reality is more nightmarish. Your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm (see, and you thought you didn't have any rhythm), is thrown off enough to make you cranky(er), groggy(er), and maybe even question your life choices (more).

Sleep disruptions, depression, and even a slight increase in stroke risk have all been linked to this seasonal shift. Essentially, the entire country will experience jet lag together. Doesn't THAT sound like a jolly holiday?

Oh, yeah! Nearly forgot about the fact that the bi-annual shift in time associated with DST puts millions of groggy(er) and cranky(er) drivers onto Michigan's roads. We don't need this. This sounds like something out of The Hunger Games. Yet, it's real, and it's coming. Again.

So, how do you survive a Michigan existence that gives you brief, if any, glimpses of the sun during our 'fall back' portion of DST? Scroll on for expert tips.