Mar 8, 2008 7:25 am US/Eastern
Adjusting To An Early Daylight Savings' Arrival
UNDATED (CBS4) ―
In a sleep deprived nation, we're all about to lose a little more as daylight's savings time arrives Sunday. Sleep experts say springing forward this year may require you to take a bigger spring out of your step.
"The thing that's a little bit different about daylight saving this year, is that it's starting earlier, so it's felt that people might have that winter sleep pattern longer," said Dr. Jeremy Tabak.
Despite the early start, there are still ways you can beat the clock.
First, doctors suggest you sleep a little more and go to bed a little early on Saturday, or sleep a little later on Sunday.
"If they just get a little extra sleep for those few days they should be fine," said Dr. Tabak.
Number two, doctors say to get plenty of sunshine. Sunlight helps our bodies produce melatonin, which advances our body clock. Exercise can also be effective, but it is recommended you get it out of the way early. Exercising later will set you back.
Dr. Tabak says "snooze it or lose it", but if you take steps you'll be over that lost bedtime-in no time.
"I think people can be adjusted in a few days," said Dr. Tabak.
Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March.
A safety reminder:
Many fire departments encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they change their clocks because Daylight Saving Time provides a convenient reminder. More than 90 percent of homes in the United States have smoke detectors, but one-third are estimated to have dead or missing batteries.
Video in the player originally aired March, 2007.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
