Local Doctor Shares 5 Tips For Surviving the Time Change
Even though we're losing an hour, you can still get a good night's sleep this weekend.
While the debate rages on whether Daylight Savings Time should just happen year-round or not, we're stuck moving our clocks twice a year. While the practice gives us the illusion of more daytime, it can rob us of precious sleep and really do a number on our bodies.
Dr. Samer El Zarif, the Associate Medical Director of Orange Regional Medical Center’s Center for Sleep Medicine says that sleep disorders can cause all sorts of serious health problems.
Sleep disorders can be associated with high blood pressure, headaches, heart disease, heart attack, chronic fatigue and even death
While losing one hour of sleep isn't nearly as serious as something like sleep apnea, it can still ruin your week. Luckily, Dr. El Zarif has some tips on how to spring ahead into Daylight Saving Time while still getting a good night's sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation has five specific things you can do to make sure you don't wind up tired after the time change.
- Establish a regular sleep schedule
- Practice a relaxing “wind-down” bedtime routine
- Avoid nicotine and caffeine close to bedtime
- Exercise daily
- Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet and comfortable
While they may seem pretty simple, following these five steps will go a long way to getting you back on track to feeling well-rested and refreshed, even if you wind up losing a precious hour of sleep.