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"Spring forward" at your own risk

Clocks have moved forward as of this weekend and many are finding themselves feeling extra sleepy today after losing an hour of sleep. Our Brenda Matute spoke to a neurologist on just how our bodies are affected by the time change and the health risks that come with it.

"In this state of half asleep and half-awake your reaction time is going to be slower,” said Archana Narasimha Rao, MD, neurologist at West Texas Medical Associates.

Daylight saving time can be more than an inconvenience. A recent study shows that the rate for stroke increased by 8 percent the two days after Americans “spring forward”.

"Your sleep is affected and that's why you're not getting enough rest so your stress hormones go high and maybe that's increasing your risk for having heart problems and stroke,” said Rao.

She says that on top of increased stress, a lack of sleep can have a direct impact on your ability to drive the few days after daylight savings.

A 10 year study done at the University of Colorado shows that there is a 6 percent increase in car crashes immediately after people reset their clocks in the spring, amounting to more than 300 deaths.

"You end up having accidents because your judgment is not the same, your reaction time is not the same, and you're in a hurry on top of that," said Rao.

She says to avoid being sleep deprived the days after "springing forward" people should get a jump start by adjusting their sleep schedules a few days before the clocks change.

"Usually the sleep in the morning half, after midnight, is actually more important for you and getting an hour less of that sleep will make you more tired and more groggier,” said Rao.

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