Next Sunday, we will “spring forward” with the time change. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic say losing that one hour of sleep can be disruptive for many people.
Nancy Foldvary, DO, neurologist and sleep specialist for Cleveland Clinic, said with the shift forward in the springtime, we lose one hour of sleep. And that may not seem like a lot, but there’s a couple of important points, one being that it takes time for our circadian rhythm to become aligned again with the light dark cycle, with sunlight and darkness.
Dr. Foldvary also said most adults are already sleep-deprived. So you might notice you are feeling more irritable, moody, or tired which can be dangerous if you are driving while fatigued. She added there is also a rise in heart attacks, stroke and depression but say it is unclear why.
To get adjusted, Foldvary recommends going to sleep earlier, keeping your bedroom dark and avoiding phones and tablets before bed.
Dr. Foldvary said as is common things that really can affect our sleep, like avoiding alcohol before bedtime, like avoiding heavy exercise before bedtime, which is stimulating, doing exercise in the morning, using caffeine strategically in the morning and not later in the day. These are all things that collectively help us promote good sleep anytime, but they are particularly helpful around times of potential sleep loss.
She also said, if you are having issues with sleep that aren’t getting better after a couple weeks or months, it is best to consult with a physician.
Source: WAVE
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