Spring forward, fall back. Changing the clocks is easy but adjusting our bodies to daylight savings time is another story. This Sunday we move the clock ahead one hour and lose an hour of sleep which means Monday morning will be a groggy one.

Here are some tips for adjusting to this annual change that might make the adjustment a little easier:

• Don’t nap before the time change
• Get some sunlight as early in the morning as possible, this helps reset the internal body clock.
• Eat dinner a little earlier than normal on the day of the time change.
• Lower the light level in the evening and avoid “screen time” which means no iPad, computer or e-reader in the evening.
• Go to bed a little earlier than normal. Try to get your kids to bed earlier as well, this will set the tone for the whole family.

Why do we mess with our clocks twice a year? Daylight savings time was first put into effect during World War I. Over the years several nations have used it at various times. Most of the US has used daylight savings time since the  1950’s and 60’s but during the energy crisis of the 1970’s all of North America and Europe joined us using Daylight Savings Time. Most people think that the time change saves energy but in reality, the research on this is limited.

The good news is that most of us adjust to the time change in just a couple of days. Monday morning may be tough, but Tuesday and Wednesday will be easier. Just think, it will be light enough after dinner to take a nice walk!

Find out about sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea by contacting Columbus sleep apnea dentist Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696.