Tue Mar 04 10:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Spring Forward, But Not at the Cost of Your Health: Experts Offer Tips for Minimizing Daylight Saving Time Disruptions
**New York, NY** – Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins Sunday, March 9th, at 2 a.m. across most of the U.S., marking the “spring forward” shift that moves clocks ahead one hour. While intended to maximize daylight and conserve energy, studies suggest DST can negatively impact health. Experts warn of potential disruptions to sleep cycles, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and accidents.
Dr. Alcibiades J. Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Neurology and Director of Sleep Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, advises proactive measures to ease the transition. He emphasizes that even a one-hour shift significantly affects the body’s circadian rhythm, influencing sleep, hunger, and concentration.
Dr. Rodriguez recommends a gradual adjustment this week. He suggests going to bed and waking up 15-20 minutes earlier each day leading up to Sunday. This, combined with maintaining a consistent daily routine (work schedule, exercise, diet), allows the body to adapt more smoothly. Crucially, maximizing exposure to morning sunlight in the days before the time change is vital, as it helps regulate the circadian rhythm and improves sleep quality.
“While we lose only one hour, the impact on our health can be noticeable for the first week,” Dr. Rodriguez explains. He stresses the importance of prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding drastic lifestyle changes during the transition to minimize the negative effects of the time shift. The increased risk of cardiovascular events and accidents associated with DST underscores the importance of these preventative steps. DST ends on November 2nd.
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