Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday; set clocks ahead 1 hour

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday. Don't forget to set clocks one hour ahead.

Most people change their clocks before going to bed Saturday night. Most smart phones will change automatically overnight, but it's a good idea to check Sunday morning.

Although people will lose an hour of sleep this weekend, daylight saving time allows for an extra hour of sunlight each day.

While the clocks will turn only one hour ahead, sleep researcher Dr. Kristen Knutson said the disruption might be enough to throw you off your game.

The associate professor of the University of Chicago's Department of Medicine says daylight saving time impacts our body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm cycle, that regulates when we feel awake or sleepy, as well as how much of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin that our own bodies will produce.

"When we abruptly try to change that, either through daylight saving time or traveling to another time zone, it's hard for us to adjust quickly, so we're going to be less alert if we're trying to wake up earlier, it's going to be harder to fall asleep earlier," Dr. Knutson said.

According to a study by the Institute of Medicine, as clocks moves forward this weekend Americans who lose one hour of sleep will likely feel the effects for up to a week.

There are some things you can do to help cope with the change. Experts say to try waking up early several days before the switch and avoid napping over the weekend.

Because most of us need between six and a half to eight good hours of sleep, experts also suggest that the day before daylight saving time, have a fixed bedtime and wake-up time, avoid heavy eating, drinking alcohol or caffeine right before bed and turn off electronics 30-60 minutes before bedtime.

With time, our body clocks will adjust on their own, which is good news for most, but not one third-year University of Chicago hospital emergency room resident.

"Because I work in the ER, it'll be like this for the rest of my career," said Dr. Sangeeta Sakaria.

"Springing forward" is also a good time to replace batteries in smoke alarms.

The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal said since these batteries should be changed twice a year, it's a great practice to check and replace them, if necessary, as daylight saving time begins and ends.

"Changing your smoke alarm batteries can save a life," said State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis. "Safety begins at home. Take a moment as you set your clocks one hour forward Saturday night to make sure your smoke alarm is functioning properly."

According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of five deaths in house fires result from the absence of smoke alarms or devices that did not work properly.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Nov. 1.