Munson Healthcare Issues Sleep Health Tips Ahead of March 8 Time Change

Munson Healthcare is advising residents in Grand Traverse County to begin adjusting sleep routines now before clocks move forward at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026, saying the one-hour loss of sleep can disrupt alertness and increase short-term safety risks. The health system published guidance tied to the upcoming spring time change and offered local care options in northern Michigan.

Dr. Abdul Malik, director of Munson’s Sleep Disorders Centers, said the effects last several days and urged simple steps. “Most people underestimate how much a one‑hour shift can impact their sleep cycle,” Malik said. “When we lose an hour, our brains and bodies feel that disruption for several days. Taking simple steps—like easing your bedtime earlier and getting morning sunlight—can make a meaningful difference in how alert and rested you feel.” Munson’s guidance was circulated in early March ahead of the March 8 shift.

Munson Healthcare’s published tips include practical measures residents can try now. “Shift your bedtime earlier by 10-15 minutes each night leading up to the change,” the announcement said. The system also recommends people “keep a consistent sleep and wake schedule,” “limit caffeine and screen use in the evening,” “get natural morning light to help regulate your internal clock,” and “create a calm sleep environment that is cool, dark and quiet,” according to the health system’s materials.

Munson operates Sleep Disorders Centers in Cadillac, Charlevoix, Kalkaska, Manistee and Traverse City, offering diagnostic sleep studies, home sleep apnea testing and evaluation, treatment for insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy, and ongoing management and CPAP support. Cadillac’s local facility includes four testing beds, and the Cadillac center can be reached at (231) 876-7494. For general assistance, Munson lists an Ask-a-Nurse line at 231-935-0951 and directs patients to its sleep medicine locations page for appointment information.

Clinicians also highlighted safety concerns tied to the spring change. “We’re going from our natural rhythm, which we tend to do pretty well within the fall season, to a heightened awake time,” said Lois Neering, clinical nurse practitioner for Munson Healthcare’s Sleep Disorders Center in Traverse City. “You’re not going to have the release of melatonin that naturally tells you it’s time to go to bed, so you’re going to have to shut your brain down a little more manually.” Neering added a driving warning: “Don’t underestimate fatigue’s impact on your driving ability, she said, and stay vigilant behind the wheel during the darker mornings.”

Outside experts cited broader public health risks. A Kaiser sleep specialist quoted in regional coverage said studies show motor vehicle accidents can spike about 6 percent in the workweek after the spring shift and emphasized that “Sleepy driving is drunk driving.” Malik closed by urging residents with persistent symptoms to seek care: “Sleep is one of the most important foundations of good health,” he said. “If you find that fatigue, snoring, restless legs, or difficulty staying asleep are ongoing issues, not just something you notice during the time change, we encourage community members to reach out. Many sleep disorders are highly treatable once identified.”