This Sunday, at 2 a.m., we all will have to set our clocks back by one hour. If you are anything like me, this time change completely throws you off in every way possible. NSF recommends a few ways to help you adjust.

· Maintain your regular bedtime Saturday night, when clocks move back, and awaken at your regular time on Sunday morning. This can give you an “extra” hour of sleep the next morning and help reduce your sleep debt;
· Block out light and keep your sleeping area dark. Standard time causes the sun to rise about an hour earlier. This can impact sleep, especially for people accustomed to awakening before or around sunrise. The light itself can disturb sleep, so it is always best to sleep in a darkened room;
· Increase the light when you wake up. Light has an alerting affect that may help you wake up. It will also help adjust your biological clock to the “new” sleep schedule;
· Staying awake at night or sleeping until your desired wake-up time may be helped by gradually moving bedtime and awakening later by 15 minutes every one to two days.

A few other tips I think would help:

· Stay away from caffeinated beverages.
· Don’t exercise right before bed for a few days before and after.
· Eat more foods that will give you energy. VEGGIES!!
· Drink plenty of water (at least 8 cups) throughout the day but not for a few hours before bed.