WORCESTER, Mass. - We're gaining an extra hour of sleep this weekend thanks to Daylight Saving Time, but that also means it's going to start getting darker earlier.

Dr. Anthony Izzo, medical director of Saint Vincent Hospital's sleep center, said this clock change isn't as dramatic as the one in the spring, but it can still be disruptive for parents with young children and for our pets. To help your body adapt to the change, Izzo recommends soaking up some sunlight in the morning. 

If you're tired and feel like a nap might help, Izzo said a quick rest could be doing more harm to your sleep than good. 

"People often mistakenly think naps offset a night of bad sleep, but really they are borrowing from the following night's sleep in order to do that," he said. "So, really trying to avoid napping as much as possible. Just like if you have jet lag, if there's a lot of trouble adjusting to the new time or time zone that you're in, using a low dose melatonin, anything less than three milligrams, about 90 minutes before your intended bedtime will help your brain's clock adjust."

Izzo supports ending Daylight Saving Time and staying on Eastern Standard Time year-round. He said it's not serving its intended purpose anymore.