Spring Forward: Helping Your Body Adjust to Daylight Savings

Spring forward soon. There are effects form losing even one hour of sleep. JR

Sure we get an extra hour of daylight, but adjusting to Daylight Savings Time, which kicks off next weekend, can be a challenge. Our physical time-keeping clocks are easy to change, but what about the internal clocks?

"I get up an hour early for the first few days," said Huntsville resident Gene Lang.

Well, the best way to adjust to either time change, falling back or springing forward, is developing good habits and nighttime rituals to which you can adhere.

According to the Mayo Clinic, you should try the following:

• Stick to a schedule. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays and days off. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night.
• Pay attention to your tummy. Don't go to bed either hungry or stuffed. Your discomfort might keep you up. Also limit how much you drink before bed, to prevent disruptive middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet. Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too.
• Create a bedtime ritual. Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music — preferably with the lights dimmed. Be wary of TV, computers and other electronics
• Get comfortable. Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Your mattress and pillow can contribute to better sleep, too.
• Limit daytime naps. Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep — especially if you're struggling with insomnia or poor sleep quality at night. If you choose to nap during the day, limit yourself to about 10 to 30 minutes.
• Be physically active during the day. Regular physical activity can promote better sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and to enjoy deeper sleep. Timing is important, though. If you exercise too close to bedtime, you might be too energized to fall asleep.
• Manage stress. When you have too much to do — and too much to think about — your sleep is likely to suffer. To help restore peace to your life, consider healthy ways to manage stress. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks.

Read more here