Move the clocks forward and spring into longer days

Losing an hour of sleep is the price to pay for gaining a later period of daylight.

Daylight savings time begins at 2 a.m. March 8.

Move the clocks forward and enjoy driving home after work without headlights. Send the kids out to play before — and after — dinner.

As much as many of us look forward to the change heralding spring’s impending arrival, daylight saving time is still a controversial concept for some.

Health concerns have been raised, from the time change being blamed for increases in heart attacks to more traffic accidents as motorists battle a temporary sleep deficit.

The annual back and forth can be jarring, with one poll noting 71% of Americans want the time changes to stop.

To that end, more than 200 state bills filed since 2015 recommend either keeping summer hours or keeping a permanent standard time.

Nonetheless, the practice continues except in Hawaii and parts of Arizona, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For those still struggling with the idea of losing sleep, or dealing with a later sunrise, medical experts seem to agree on a few tips:

• Stick to your normal eating, exercising and social routines

• Resist the urge to take daytime naps, or limit them to 20 minutes

• Put an end to coffee and alcohol consumption 4-6 hours before bedtime.