How ‘Daylight Saving Time’ can affect your sleep

(via KBOI) — America will turn their clocks back an hour for Standard Time this Sunday at 2 a.m.

A sleep specialist explains how gaining an hour can affect sleep.

St. Alphonsus sleep expert Shirley Vandzandt, MS, MPH, said even the slightest shift in someone’s schedule can disrupt even the most disciplined sleepers.

“Our bodies really do work on a schedule and our circadian rhythms are set so that a change in our schedule does potentially change our sleep,” Vandzandt said.

When adjusting to a new time zone or schedule, it’s common to try to go bed as early as possible. But Vanzandt says waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends, is actually the most important aspect to maintaining a good sleep schedule.

“Really getting up at the same time is the most important part. You can adjust your going to bed time but getting out of bed is really the best.”

To overcome the one-hour change this weekend, modify your waking time in 15-minute increments over the next week until you are fully adjusted to the time change.

What’s more, Vanzandt said to get the most out of a night’s sleep, exercise in the morning and keep your electronics in another room.

“Anything with a screen. Your iPad, your phone, your computer. Really getting away from them hopefully within an hour of the time you’d like to go to bed.”

In fact, earlier sunrises can actually be beneficial when it comes to getting out of bed early in the morning.

“There is the recommendation that with this change in time that you get up in the morning and expose yourself to a lot of light.”

Vanzandt’s go-to sleep advice for people of all ages?

“Get up. Get out. Go and do your exercise, and get on with your day.”

Daylight Saving Time officially ends Nov. 6 at 2 a.m. Eastern Time so don’t forget to reset your clocks.