CLEVELAND, Ohio - As daylight saving time ends Sunday and clocks turn back one hour, a sleep specialist suggests that people in the U.S. examine their sleep habits. An estimated 40% of adults in the U.S. are considered sleep-deprived.

Dr. Nancy Foldvary, a sleep specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, notes that regularly getting less than seven hours of sleep nightly can put the body and brain at risk for adverse health issues later. Adults should aim for at least seven hours of sleep, while children and teenagers require more.

Foldvary recommends adopting healthy practices to support rest. Key habits include avoiding food and exercise close to bedtime, as both activities may interfere with a person’s ability to fall and stay asleep.

In addition, the specialist advises against using a cellphone or watching television immediately before bed. The blue light emitted by these devices can disrupt the body’s melatonin production, a hormone that helps prompt sleep.

Foldvary stresses the importance of maintaining a consistent sleep routine. Allowing significant variation in wake-up times, such as sleeping until 10 a.m. on weekends after waking at 6:30 a.m. during the week, is often a sign of chronic sleep loss.

“We want to go to bed early enough to avoid being chronically sleep deprived,” Foldvary said.

If sleep difficulties continue despite lifestyle changes, Foldvary recommends consulting with a physician to determine if an underlying medical or psychological issue is present.