{"id":22950,"date":"2019-03-08T12:04:08","date_gmt":"2019-03-08T19:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=22950"},"modified":"2024-07-18T15:45:43","modified_gmt":"2024-07-18T21:45:43","slug":"spring-forward-right-time-change-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/spring-forward-right-time-change-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring forward right: Use the time change to jump-start healthier sleep habits"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Clocks creep forward an extra hour at 2 a.m. March 14, 2021 as part of daylight saving time. While it’s possible you’ll be fast asleep during the time change, it’s likely you’ll feel the drag the next morning.<\/p>\n

Although the daylight will be around longer in the evening, it’s still important that you keep up with your old sleep schedule, and perhaps make some new healthy habits in the meantime.<\/p>\n

Dr. Michael Dewey<\/a>, a Colorado native and family medicine doctor, cares for patients at the UCHealth Family Medicine Clinic in Westminster<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dewey, a 39-year-old father of two, says lifestyle changes, like getting enough exercise, can make a big difference in getting better sleep.<\/p>\n

Sleep deprivation among new parents like the Deweys can be a challenge. But all of us can boost our health by getting a better night\u2019s sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to diverse health problems<\/a> from obesity to Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Many patients assume medications are the best path to a good night\u2019s sleep. But, Dewey said, behavioral changes can have a far greater impact. For about 90% of patients, good sleep hygiene can make all the difference.<\/p>\n

Nine times out of 10, Dewey says tinkering with your diet, exercise regimen and your sleep hygiene can fix sleep problems.<\/p>\n

Even better, good sleep habits can have lasting impacts while medications only promote short-term fixes. What\u2019s more, researchers are finding that people get deeper, higher-quality sleep when they rest naturally versus relying on sleep medications.<\/p>\n

So, do yourself a favor and use this weekend as a springboard for better sleep.<\/p>\n

Here are Dr. Dewey\u2019s top 7 tips for getting a better night\u2019s sleep after daylight saving time:<\/p>\n