As daylight saving time gets closer, preparing a sleep schedule is important for your body. According to The National Institute of Health, the average adult aged 25 to 60 needs between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Cutting back on sleep hours can take a toll on your body. In fact, not getting enough sleep can affect your mood, energy level, mental sharpness and your ability to handle stress.

During daylight saving time, you want to make sure that you plan a sleep schedule that works around the time change. Setting the clocks forward has a big impact on your sleep schedule, so be aware of the time you allot yourself for sleep. Make sure you are getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.

“It is important to ensure that your body gets the rest it needs, and during daylight saving time, planning ahead is crucial to maintain the proper amount of sleep,” says Imtiaz Ahmad, M.D., board certified sleep medicine physician and founder of Allergy Sleep & Lung Care. “Not getting enough sleep can lead to health problems in the future.”

Here are some tips to maintain a good sleep schedule before and after daylight saving time:

  • Keep regular sleep hours
  • Avoid stimulating substances such as alcohol or caffeine
  • Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
  • If you feel tired during the day, take a short nap to recharge your body
  • Allowing your body a full night’s rest may be more important than you think.

“The quality of your sleep directly affects the quality of your waking life, including your productivity, emotional balance, creativity, physical vitality, and even your weight. No other activity delivers so many benefits with so little effort,” says Dr. Ahmad.

If you find yourself consistently unable to fall asleep, stay asleep or experience excessive daytime sleepiness that impacts your daily life, you should consider seeing your doctor. Allergy Sleep & Lung Care offers a state-of-the-art sleep clinic with diagnostic and treatment options tailored to your needs.