Springing Forward and Maintaining Healthy Sleep During Daylight Saving Time
3/6/2025
Rebecca Wagner, Aspirus Polysomnographic Technologist
As we prepare to
"spring forward" on Sunday, March 9, it’s a great time to highlight
the importance of healthy sleep habits—not just for adjusting to Daylight
Saving Time (DST) but for overall well-being.
Losing even one hour
of sleep can disrupt our internal clocks, leaving us feeling sluggish,
irritable, and unfocused. Research
shows that people tend to lose about 40 minutes of sleep in the transition
from standard time to DST, especially on the Monday following the change.
Sleep Awareness Week
(March 9–15) serves as a reminder that consistent, high-quality sleep is
essential for physical and mental health. While the time change can be
disruptive, there are ways to minimize its effects.
“Practice good sleep
hygiene,” says Rebecca Wagner, Aspirus Polysomnographic Technologist. “Don’t
try to take naps to make up for the sleep loss, avoid rigorous activity before
bed and limit your screen time before bed.”
For those who
struggle with persistent sleep difficulties, a professional sleep study might
provide answers. Sleep studies
at Aspirus monitor vital signs, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns to
diagnose conditions like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, REM sleep behavior
disorders, insomnia, and narcolepsy.
“Sleep is
foundational to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” says Wagner.
“Insufficient sleep can lead to memory problems, increased anxiety, depression,
and additional strain on bodily functions.”
Aspirus Health
encourages individuals to take proactive steps in maintaining healthy sleep
habits to ensure a smooth transition into DST and to support long-term sleep
health.
For more information
about sleep health and services available at Aspirus, visit aspirus.org/sleep-medicine.
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