Do Not Let The Time Change Disrupt Your Sleep Patterns

Cincinnati Chiropractic Weekly Health Alert:

Retire for the night an hour earlier before switching to daylight saving time this weekend, expert says. Worried that your potential sleep patterns could be disrupted when the clocks move ahead 60 minutes this weekend? The key is getting enough sleep ahead of time, says one sleep expert. First, make certain you’re well rested before the switch to daylight savings time on March 13, advises Dr. Aparajitha Verma, medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston.

A great way to do that is to start changing your sleep habits in the days before the time change; for example, start getting up and going to sleep 1 hour earlier, Verma said.

It’s also possible to take a nap on Sunday afternoon if you feel you need to and you have enough time. But avoid napping within a couple of hours of your regular bedtime because that would disrupt your nighttime sleep, she added.

As you try to adapt to the time change, bear in mind certain persistent problems may indicate a more serious sleeping disorder. Some examples are: remaining awake after 30 minutes of trying to go to sleep; excessive daytime sleepiness; or sleeping for seven or even more hours and getting out of bed tired.

If you experience such problems, you may want to consider participating in an overnight study at an accredited sleep study center. Verma suggested.

More information

SOURCE: Methodist Neurological Institute, news release, March 7, 2011