This weekend, Daylight Saving Time will end

This weekend, Daylight Saving Time will end, so remember to set your clocks back by one hour on Saturday night. Experts say that this one-hour change can be enough to cause sleep deprivation for some people.

Dr. Chafen Watkins, a pediatric sleep specialist at National Jewish Health, said, “Any time we experience a significant shift in time, we typically encounter insomnia or sleep deprivation, especially for children, the elderly, and early risers, who tend to follow an early-to-bed, early-to-rise schedule.”

Dr. Hart added, “When people are sleep-deprived, industrial accident rates go up because they stay up later but wake up at the same time, which can lead to mood swings and an increased risk of depression.”

To adjust to the time change, Dr. Hart suggests delaying meal and bedtime by 15 to 30 minutes before the end of Daylight Saving Time.

If you use electronic devices before bed, make sure to enable the blue light filter.

Keep your bedroom dim and cool to ensure quality sleep. Avoid long naps during the day, and expose yourself to light when it’s time to wake up.

In the few nights leading up to the end of Daylight Saving Time, avoid delaying bedtime, especially for children.

Dr. Hart noted, “Since they won’t sleep in during the morning, they’ll experience even more sleep deprivation and feel more exhausted the following night.”

Dr. Hart recommends that children spend time playing outdoors during the day. Whether it’s before or after the end of Daylight Saving Time, this helps their bodies adjust and makes it easier for them to fall asleep at night.