Mental Health

Sleep Expert Offers Daylight Savings Tips

By Christine Hsu | Update Date: Nov 02, 2014 07:11 PM EST

Instead of enjoying an extra hour of sleep, experts recommend that people wake up and exercise Sunday morning. Sleep specialist Dr. Kelly Brown explains that the daylight saving time change is exacerbated by our habit to alter our sleep patterns on weekends.

"A lot of people like to stay up late on the weekend and then sleep in, but it's important to stick to your regular schedule. Mondays are already hard when you shift your sleep schedule on the weekends, and the time change makes it even harder," Brown said in a news release.

Brown recommends that people use Sunday's extra hour wisely by taking a morning walk.

"Light is the most powerful way to control the internal clock. Getting sun exposure in the morning helps us feel more awake, and avoiding light at night, especially blue light from electronics, helps us fall asleep," Brown said.

While it usually takes a day or two for people to adjust to the new schedule, researchers said that it could take up to two weeks to feel normal again. If sleep problems persist after two weeks, Brown recommends that people consider seeing a sleep specialist.

"It's very important to note that if you are feeling sleepy during the day or having difficulty falling or staying asleep, you should talk to your primary care provider and consider an evaluation by a sleep physician. Sleep disorders are highly treatable and their treatment can make a dramatic change in your health and daytime functioning," Brown said.

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