Yep, it's that time of year .... again. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 13.
Regardless of how you feel about the practice, moving the clock forward one hour in the spring and back one
hour in the fall doesn’t just affect your schedule — it can throw off your
body’s internal clock, too.
That hour of sleep that’s lost or gained can leave you
feeling groggy and irritable. It can also be dangerous. Studies have found that
both heart attacks and fatal car accidents increase after the spring shift to
Daylight Saving Time.
“In a nation that is already sleep deprived, losing an extra
hour can make a huge impact,” says sleep specialist Harneet Walia, MD.
Adjusting to the time change is different for everyone. Some
people adjust in a few days; for others, it takes more time. For your
health and safety, Dr. Walia offers these tips for dealing with the time
change:
- Start
preparing a few days early. About a week before “springing
forward,” Dr. Walia recommends that you start going to bed 15 to 30
minutes earlier than your usual bedtime. Your body needs that bit of extra
time to make up for the lost hour.
- Stick
to your schedule. Be consistent with eating, social, bed and
exercise times during the transition to Daylight Saving Time. Exposing
yourself to the bright light in the morning will also help you adjust, Dr.
Walia says.
- Don’t
take long naps. Shutting your eyes mid-day is tempting,
especially if you’re feeling sluggish. But avoiding naps is key for
adjusting to the time change, as long daytime naps could make it
harder for you to get a full night’s sleep. “If you have to take them,
take them early and for no longer than 20 minutes,” Dr. Walia says.
- Avoid
coffee and alcohol. Put down coffee and caffeinated
beverages four to six hours before bedtime.Alcohol also prohibits you from
getting quality sleep, so avoid it late at night.
A lot of folks ask us about natural supplements to help with the transition. Our favorite is BestRest by Pure Encapsulations. A combination of herbal and natural products including GABA, valerian, l-theanine, and yes- melatonin, that have been recognized as helping with sleep. Order direct from our wholesaler throught the “supplements” tab on our website www. Liveandlearnpharmacy.com
Read more about healthy sleep habits at the Cleveland Clinic