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- Ready or not, clocks fall back on Sunday
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- Thrive by IU Health
- Ready or not, clocks fall back on Sunday
October 28, 2024
Ready or not, clocks fall back on Sunday
IU Health Bloomington Hospital
At 2 am on Sunday, Nov. 3, Daylight Saving Time will turn clocks back an hour across much of the United States.
And while getting an extra hour of sleep on Sunday may sound nice for those not working night shifts, it will also make the evenings darker faster and can negatively affect sleep habits.
“Studies have shown that Daylight Saving Times changes cause an increase in car accidents due to drivers being fatigued and driving at times where there is less light than they are used to,” says Drew Watters, MD, IU Health Bloomington Emergency Medicine physician.
Some tips for the fall time change include:
- Updating your clocks in advance
- Starting to adjust your sleep cycle a few days in advance
- Being extra vigilant when driving when it gets dark
- Wearing bright, reflective clothing and carrying flashlights when walking in the evenings
Another important thing to remember is that your body might not adapt to the change right away.
“Try to adjust your daytime schedule for the first day or two, if possible,” says Watters. “Minimizing early morning obligations can help while everything gets back into rhythm.”
Ultimately, the doctor encourages everyone to focus on their daily life choices since the long-term effects are critical to your overall well-being:
- Eat healthy
- Get regular exercise
- Get good sleep
“That means putting the phone away at least an hour before bedtime,” says Watters.