One-Third of Americans Dread Daylight Saving Time

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ONE-THIRD OF AMERICANS DREAD DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
Sleepy’s Survey Offers Creative Ways to Cope with “Clock Shock”

NEW YORK, MARCH 7, 2011 - While one-third of Americans say they “dread” having to turn the clock forward for spring Daylight Saving Time, half of those responding to a recent survey think they’ve found the answer to post-DST sluggishness. They favor moving the time change from 2 a.m. Sunday morning to 2 a.m. Saturday morning, a shift that would theoretically soften the Monday morning “clock shock” that many will feel this March 14^th.

The Sleepy's survey shows four out of 10 say they will begin preparing for the clock change a week ahead of time. And most are willing to take steps for the sake of sleep. Sixty-four percent of those questioned would give up TV or entertainment for better and more z’s. Nearly one in six (16 percent) would sacrifice sex for slumber, with far more women (20 percent) than men (12 percent) favoring sleep over more amorous activities.

Daylight Saving Time generally affects people on the Monday after the clocks are turned forward says Michael Breus, Ph.D., The Sleep Doctor ™ a Clinical Psychologist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. “We might not be able to move the date to Saturday, but we can take immediate steps to regain that lost hour of sleep.

According to Dr. Breus, a little preparation in the days leading up to DST can make the transition easier. He advises moving up bedtime by 15 to 30 minutes at least two days prior to the time change and waking up 15 minutes earlier to make it easier for the body to adjust to the new schedule. Research shows that the annual time change not only causes workplace fatigue and lower productivity, but it's been linked to a higher rate of workplace and school accidents.

For those who still dread the switch and need some help coping with Daylight Saving Time this year, Sleepy's - home of the mattress professionals - will sponsor a Take Back Your Sleep siesta and giveaway on Monday, March 14 from 8 – 10 a.m. at its 5^th Ave store in Manhattan. Activities include a giveaway of the celebrated Dr. Breus Bed^TM, the only mattress designed by a sleep doctor; “nap” sacks filled with goodies; sleep assessment tools; and more.

Aside from DST, what's keeping us up at night Forty-two percent of survey respondents cited money worries, followed by continuous to do’s (31 percent) and time spent on the Internet (30 percent). And the most common way we cope with sleepiness is by drinking coffee (38 percent.)

The latest sleep research encourages people to get seven to eight hours a night of quality sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to health conditions including hypertension, heart disease, obesity and certain cancers. For more information on getting a good night’s rest visit http://www.sleep.com/.

*The phone survey, conducted by Toluna PLC, assessed the opinions and attitudes of 1,027 adults over 18.

About Sleepy's

Sleepy's, The Mattress Professionals(R) is a privately-owned 4 generation company with over 700 retail locations in thirteen states, spanning from Vermont to Virginia and available nationally through http://www.sleepys.com/. Throughout Sleepy's 53-year history, they have supported the idea that one mattress does not fit all, carrying a wide selection of mattresses so their customers are certain to find the one that suits them best. Keeping up-to-date on all the latest innovations in sleep technology, Sleepy's, The Mattress Professionals(R) carries the latest in Sealy, Serta, Simmons, Beautyrest, Posturepedic, Tempur-Pedic, Sleep To Live mattresses, the Dr. Breus Bed^TM and 12 other brands to fit any price range or comfort level. For more information, call 1-800-SLEEPYS (1-800-753-3797), or visit us at www.sleepys.com.

About Dr. Breus

Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and both a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He was one of the youngest people to have passed the Board at age 31 and, with a specialty in Sleep Disorders, is one of only 163 psychologists in the world with his credentials and distinction. In addition to his private practice where he treats athletes, celebrities and the like, he also trains other sleep doctors and consults with major airlines, hotel chains, mattress manufacturers and retailers to provide the optimum sleep experience for their customers. Dr. Breus is also the author of the bestselling book, Beauty Sleep.

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