UVA Health sleep doctor shares tips for adjusting after time change

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) -A UVA Health sleep doctor said a consistent bedtime and wake time are the first step in adjusting to the time change.

The clocks fell back and people gained an hour of sleep, but doctors say it might take time to adjust. Doctors say consistency is key.

“Having that consistent bedtime and wake time is the first start,” said Dr. Scott Schecter, a pulmonary critical care and sleep care doctor with UVA Health.

Schecter said sleep adjustments vary from person to person.

“For a lot of people, that kind of extra hour of sleep that you get the night we make the transition kind of gets eaten away by waking up earlier the next couple days,” Schecter said.

It can take about a week for wake-up time to catch up. Early birds may struggle more.

Schecter said a consistent bedtime and wake-up time come first, and other daily habits help too.

“So, kind of eating at the same time every day sends a signal to your body, light exposure, things like that,” Schecter said. “If you exercise at the same time every day, that kind of has to be a strong signal to your body.”

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