Daylight saving time : Doctors say start preparing now

wndu.com · Feb 27, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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MISHAWAKA, Ind. (WNDU) - With daylight saving time just over a week away, health experts are urging people to start adjusting their sleep schedules now.Anna Matulewicz, a nurse practitioner with Saint Joseph Sleep Medicine, said the spring change is harder on the body than the fall.“The springtime change is more disruptive than fall because we are losing an hour of sleep,” Matulewicz said. “There are many studies about the time change and how it affects our productivity. We’re less productive at work, kids have trouble at school, there are increased car accidents for several days after the time change because people are tired.”Matulewicz recommends shifting your bedtime and wake time by 10 to 15 minutes earlier each day leading up to the change. She also advises avoiding food before bed and turning off the television and phone at least an hour before going to sleep.“It is probably the most important thing that we do every day — just focusing on how many hours are you sleeping per night,” Matulewicz said. “Is it good sleep? Do I wake up every day feeling tired? Those are all abnormal things you should talk to your health care professional about.”Beyond fatigue, the time change has been linked to reduced productivity at work and school, an increase in car accidents, and a rise in emergency room visits for cardiac issues in the days following the switch.Stay up to date on local news with WNDU on-air and online. Be sure to download the 16 News Now App and follow our YouTube page as we continue to bring you the latest news coverage.Copyright 2026 WNDU. All rights reserved.