WNKY News 40 Health Reports: Springing Forward and Thriving

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – It’s an annual thing…we “spring forward” during the first weekend of March.

And, depending on the source you read, it has its origins in agriculture or national defense.

Either way, just losing one hour of sleep one night of the year can have consequences.

Dr. Suman Shekar, a physician at Medical Center of Bowling Green, says losing one hour of sleep can cause grogginess during the day, insomnia, headaches and even fatigue during the evenings. Most people adjust within two to three days, but it can take up to a week to fully adjust to the time change.

Dr. Shekar also says going to bed 15 minutes earlier the nights before the time changes can help make adjusting easier. Eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise can also help.

And if you’re dreading dealing with less sleep Saturday night, think about those later sunsets over the next few months.