Allen physician discusses how new sleep guidelines relate to upcoming time change
ALLEN, TEXAS, MARCH 4, 2015 — How much is enough when it comes to sleep? It’s a question that may be on the minds of many as we get ready to “spring forward” this Sunday into daylight saving time. The one-hour adjustment is easy enough to make to our tangible clocks but for our internal body clocks, the change can mean a disruption to our all-important sleep patterns.
Despite losing an hour of sleep to the time change, new findings recently released by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) show that by making a few small adjustments to your routine you can help yourself and your family snooze better ¾ and for the right duration.
“The new recommendations should help people develop sleep habits that are healthier, especially as we go into the time change,” said Dr. Maria Flaquer, a family medicine physician at Crescent Family Medicine, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice in Allen. “They also serve as a good starting point for individuals to have discussions about their sleep with their doctors. It’s not always top of the mind when a person sits down with his or her health care provider, but it should be. Sleep habits are an important part of an individual’s overall health.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called insufficient sleep a public health epidemic. On average, 40 percent of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep each night. Too little sleep has been linked to obesity, high blood pressure, decreased productivity and drowsy driving. Too much sleep has its health disadvantages as well, including heart disease and premature death.
While every individual is a little different, Flaquer points out that the NSF’s recommendations can provide helpful guidance for parents and others in creating healthy bedtime environments that are conducive to both children and adults getting enough sleep.
“For starters, we need to think electronics off and lights out,” Flaquer added. “When technology is left on past bedtime, the duration and quality of sleep appears to suffer.”
The new guidelines released by the NSF in its Sleep Health journal recommend the following daily sleep duration for healthy individuals in various stages of life:
• Newborns: 14 to 17 hours.
• Infants: 12 to 15 hours.
• Toddlers: 11 to 14 hours.
• Preschoolers: 10 to 13 hours.
• School-aged children: 9 to 11 hours.
• Teenagers: 8 to 10 hours.
• Young adults and adults: 7 to 9 hours.
• Older adults: 7 to 8 hours.
Previously, the NSF had made a single sleep recommendation for all adults. Most of the new advice also recommends wider sleep ranges than in the past, specifically for infants through teenagers.
“Sleep is a necessity for good health and well-being at any age,” Flaquer said. “Daylight saving time doesn’t have to set you back on getting the proper amount of sleep. Simple changes can keep you rested and healthy. Always talk with your physician if you’re not sleeping well over time or if you have concerns about a possible sleep disorder.”
Reset Your Clock, and Your Sleep Habits
Daylight saving time is a great time to make adjustments for a restful night of sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, try the following:
- Go to sleep and wake at the same time every day. Avoid spending more time in bed than needed.
- Use your bedroom only for sleep. This will help strengthen the association between your bed and sleep. It may help to remove work materials, computers and televisions from your bedroom as well.
- Manage your “body clock” with light. It’s best to avoid bright light in the evening and expose yourself to a healthy dose of sunlight in the morning.
- Save your worries for the daytime. If concerns creep into your thoughts, write them in a "worry book" so you can address the issues the next day.
- Select a relaxing bedtime ritual. A warm bath or calming music can get you in the mindset for sleep.
— National Sleep Foundation
About Texas Health Physicians Group
Texas Health Physicians Group (THPG) is Texas Health Resources’ not-for-profit physician organization based in Arlington. The group includes more than 800 physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and medical professionals dedicated to providing safe, quality care for its patients. THPG’s primary care and specialist network represents 57 medical specialties, in addition to offering sleep lab services, infusion services and diagnostic imaging. Our 230-plus locations cover 6,429 square miles in 11 North Texas counties. For more information about THPG, or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-916-8080 or visit THPG.org. Physicians employed by Texas Health Physicians Group practice independently and are not employees of the hospital or Texas Health Resources.
About Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources is one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health systems in the United States. The health system includes 25 acute-care and short-stay hospitals that are owned, operated, joint-ventured or affiliated with Texas Health Resources. It includes the Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Texas Health Harris Methodist and Texas Health Huguley Hospitals, Texas Health Physicians Group, outpatient facilities, behavioral health and home health, preventive and fitness services, and an organization for medical research and education. For more information about Texas Health Resources, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit TexasHealth.org.