(NECN/NBC News: Erika Edwards) - This weekend, we "spring forward" one hour. It seems simple enough, but that one little hour time change does a doozy on our mood and sleep habits.
Something will happen in the wee hours of this coming Sunday morning that will send many of us into a groggy, moody mess come Monday morning.
"I'm not looking forward to getting up and being in the dark again...," says Dr. Michael McKee of the Cleveland Clinic.
Daylight Saving time begins.
When we lose that precious hour overnight, we get less sleep.
"One hour can disrupt you enough that for a day or two at least, there's an increase in auto accidents, and an increase in heart attacks," says Dr. McKee.
Even though you might wake up before the sun rises, there is a bright side to daylight saving time.
Local
It signals the beginning of longer days and exposes us to more mood-boosting sunlight.
"Seasonal affective disorder, the depression that comes to many people in winter, starts to fade this time of year as sunlight comes out," Dr. McKee says.
Experts say take advantage of the longer days. Go for a long walk. Dig up your spring garden. Shoot some hoops with your kids.
The time to fall back on your old ways will come soon enough.
As a reminder, daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 10. Turn your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
