IT'S THE WEEK WE ALL DREAD … THE ONE FOLLOWING THE SWITCH TO DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME. ADJUSTING TO THE LOSS OF JUST ONE HOUR OF SLEEP IS EASIER SAID THEN DONE. DR. LEE BROWN WITH UNM HOSPITAL'S SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER SAYS IT TAKES MOST OF US A COUPLE OF DAYS TO RESET OUR INTERNAL CLOCKS AND GET BACK ON TRACK. BUT HE SAYS SOME PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY, TAKE LONGER TO RESET THEIR INTERNAL CLOCKS.
BROWN SAYS MOST OF US HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING TO SLEEP AN HOUR EARLIER. HIS ADVICE IS TO SKIP THE SLEEPING PILL … THE CAFFEINE OR ALCOHOL … AND EXERCISING BEFORE BED. HE SAYS MAKE YOU BEDROOM DARK, QUIET, AND A COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE TO ENCOURAGE FALLING ASLEEP.
