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With Time Change Comes Tips For Improving Sleep Hygiene

Philadelphia (CBS) – We're now on Eastern Standard Time, meaning it'll get dark earlier in the evening and light a bit earlier in the morning. But what does the change mean to your health.

I'll be the first to say I like it when we fall back. We do get that extra hour of sleep. But don't expect that one hour to make a big difference in the long run.

If you are having trouble with sleep and issues associated with not getting enough sleep, you need to look at the long term approach. For instance, before you go to bed you don't want to exercise, have caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine. That will keep you up.

If you are having trouble getting to sleep, you can have a small snack before bedtime but don't eat a lot of food. That also can hurt you in your effort to get sleep.

The most important thing is you want to practice good sleep hygiene. That means when you go to bed, go to bed! Don't watch TV, don't get work done, go to sleep. That's the goal.

Reported By Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio

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