Advertisement

Turning back clocks can disrupt sleep

A protester sleeps in the state capitol in Madison, Wisconsin on February 23, 2011. Thousands are staging a 24-hour protest of the state budget proposed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker, which includes cuts in benefits for state workers and takes away many of their collective bargaining rights. UPI/Brian Kersey
A protester sleeps in the state capitol in Madison, Wisconsin on February 23, 2011. Thousands are staging a 24-hour protest of the state budget proposed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker, which includes cuts in benefits for state workers and takes away many of their collective bargaining rights. UPI/Brian Kersey | License Photo

CHICAGO, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The end of daylight saving time can be disruptive and dangerous, sleep experts at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital said.

Clocks in most of the United States will get pushed back 1 hour at 2 a.m. Sunday when daylight saving time officially ends.

Advertisement

Dr. Hrayr Attarian, a neurologist at Northwestern Memorial, said people should use take the opportunity to reset their sleep habits. He said people should go to bed at the same time they usually do this weekend, even though they're gaining an hour on the clock, so that they are well-rested on Monday.

Dr. Phyllis Zee, director of the hospital's Sleep Disorders Center, warns that drowsy driving can lead to more accidents on the road.

"There is a significant increase in the number of car accidents in the days following the end of daylight saving time, which many attribute to lack of alertness from insufficient sleep," Zee said.

Latest Headlines