Sleep specialist offers tips for adjusting after Daylight Saving Time ends

Sleep specialist offers tips for adjusting after Daylight Saving Time ends

Memorial Sleep Specialist Dr. John Douglas said some people may have a harder time falling asleep earlier over the next few days

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) — Daylight Saving Time ended at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, and a sleep specialist said there are steps people can take to make the transition smoother.

Memorial Sleep Specialist Dr. John Douglas said people might have a harder time falling asleep earlier over the next few days.

Steps to ease the transition

Douglas said the main step is to stay off phones and computers late at night.

“The main thing is stay off your phone or computer late at night because that’s telling the caveman, hey, the sun’s still out,” Douglas said. “So, try to stay off the computer or your phone, particularly an hour before you go to bed. If you have to, you can take a little low dose of melatonin.”

Earlier sunset

The time change also means the sun will now set an hour earlier. Douglas said this causes some people to experience seasonal affective disorder.

“It’s when you get kind of depressed when the lights come down,” Douglas said. “So, you need to make sure that you stay active, that yo...