MARQUETTE, Mich, (WZMQ) – The time change is on Sunday and that means we lose an hour of sleep, but it turns out the change may affect more than just your sleep.
Along with the disruptions to our sleep cycle, studies show that the week after daylight savings there is an increased risk for heart disease and failure.
Having a good sleep cycle and getting regular exercise can help reduce this risk, but according to UPHS Sleep Medicine Physician Michael Sand, gradually changing the time to give your body tie to adjust can also help.
“You can start moving your clock a few days ahead of time by about 15 minutes so if about four or five days ahead of time,” said Sand. “If you move your clock backwards, just moving everything 15 minutes ahead a few days ahead and just kind of creeping up on it that way is a gradual way of doing it.”
Doctors also recommend avoiding screen time after dinner and getting up at the same time every day to promote a health circadian rhythm no matter what the time of year.