|
When Clocks Change, Body May Need Time to Adjust
Sleep expert offers tips for those thrown off schedule by Daylight Saving Time.
Fri Oct 30, 2009, 09:00
|
Story Tools
|
|
•
|
Printable
version
|
|
•
|
Oct 30, 2009 News
|
|
Related News Categories
| | • | Sleep Problems: Misc | | • | Behavior |
Related News
| • | Stifled Anger at Work Doubles Men's Risk for Heart Attack - Nov 24, 2009 | • | Sleep Disorders Plague Cancer Patients - Nov 23, 2009 | • | Smoking During Pregnancy, Lead Exposure Raise ADHD Risk in Kids - Nov 23, 2009 | • | Go Healthy, Not Hungry for Holiday Eating - Nov 22, 2009 | • | When Sleep Suffers, So Does Decisiveness - Nov 22, 2009 | • | Using Cell Phones, Internet to Battle Eating Disorders - Nov 20, 2009 | • | Parental Monitoring Can Curb Teen Marijuana Use - Nov 19, 2009 | • | Sounds May Help Solidify Memories While Asleep - Nov 19, 2009 | • | Kidney Transplant, Sleep Disorder May Add Up to Trouble - Nov 19, 2009 | • | Obesity Rolling Back Gains in Heart Health - Nov 17, 2009 | • | Could Plastics Chemicals 'Feminize' Boys' Play? - Nov 17, 2009 | • | 'Fearless' 3-Year-Olds Might Be Tomorrow's Criminals - Nov 17, 2009 | • | Study Touts Success With 'Female Viagra' Drug - Nov 16, 2009 | • | 'Love Hormone' May Trigger Jealousy, Too - Nov 15, 2009 | • | Many Kids Feel Threatened in the Classroom - Nov 13, 2009 |
FRIDAY, Oct. 30 (HealthDay News) -- That extra hour of sleep you'll get in most parts of the country on Sunday might be restful, but the end of Daylight Saving Time could spell trouble for your body clock, a sleep expert says.
Dr. Atul Malhotra, medical director of the sleep disorders research program in the division of sleep medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, explained in a hospital news release that there are ways to prevent the time change from disrupting your sleep habits.
For most people, the time shift in the spring is more problematic because an hour is "lost" rather than "gained," but for those who are disrupted by any change in schedule, Malhotra offered these coping tips:
- Stay away from caffeine and other stimulants, especially during the days before and after the time shift, and avoid napping for a few days because it can disrupt your sleeping at night.
- Sleep through that extra hour if you can instead of trying to get things done.
- Don't drive if you feel sleepy because of the time shift. Consider taking public transportation for a few days to give your body time to adjust.
- Relax, avoid stress and remember to take your regular medications over the weekend of the time change.
For those who have trouble sleeping overall, Malhotra suggested the following:
- Go to bed and wake up at the same times, even on weekends. No sleeping in.
- Avoid food and drinks with caffeine after lunch, including coffee, tea, soda and chocolate.
- Take 15 to 30 minutes to wind down before heading off to bed.
- Keep your room dark, quiet and cool; ear plugs and eye masks can help.
- Keep in mind that time in front of screens -- the computer or television varieties -- before bedtime can disrupt sleep.
- Don't work or study right before bedtime, in order to allow yourself to relax.
- Don't exercise strenuously right before bedtime.
More information
Learn more about sleep from the National Sleep Foundation.
SOURCE: Brigham and Women's Hospital, news release, Oct. 26, 2009
Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Today's Top News Stories | • | Ginkgo Won't Prevent Heart Attack, Stroke in Elderly - Nov 24, 2009, 16:00
But the herbal supplement may help ward off peripheral artery disease, researchers say. | • | Dangerous Toys Still on Store Shelves, Report Finds - Nov 24, 2009, 16:00
Focus on toys that pose choking hazard, are too loud, or contain dangerous chemicals. | • | Chronic Pain Trips Up Seniors - Nov 24, 2009, 16:00
Discomfort contributes to the falls that plague older adults, study finds. | • | Clinical Trials Update: Nov. 24, 2009 - Nov 24, 2009, 11:14
- Constipation
- Healthy Volunteers (Ages 18-65)
- Type 2 Diabetes
| • | Angioplasty Outcomes May Vary Little Between Hospitals - Nov 24, 2009, 16:00
In-hospital death rates didn't differ greatly between high- and low-volume centers, study found. |
|
|
|
