The annual tradition of losing an hour's sleep in the spring first appeared during the First World War as a money-saving measure, but these days the time-shift seems to cost us in health.

A 2008 Swedish study found a higher incidence of heart attacks in the first three workdays after the clocks 'spring forward.'

Researchers chalked it up to a lack of sleep, and did find a similar decrease in the number of heart attacks when clocks 'fall back' later in the year.

There's also a theory about drivers and pedestrians who have lost an hour of sleep creating a potentially-dangerous combination of sleepy people behind the wheel and those on foot being not as sharp as they might normally be.

However, Dr. John Vavrik, a psychologist with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, says that daylight saving time doesn't appear to be as big a factor in crashes as it used to be.

"The good news is that we're seeing less and less of an impact of the DST change. Maybe people are getting the message, or maybe we're just sleep-deprived all the time and so the DST doesn't seem to be making a huge difference anymore."

The time change can also create confusion between provinces that do adopt the convention, and those that don't. People in Saskatchewan stay on standard time year-round.

Some say the best advice for reducing time-shift fatigue overnight is to exercise, lay off the caffeine before bed, go to bed at a regular time and put down the smartphone.

Another good piece of advice? Set the clocks ahead on Saturday night.

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• Stretch It Out

  Grab your running shoes and head outdoors. With the weather getting warmer, why not use that extra hour of daylight to stretch your legs? Being active gives you more energy, changes your mood and eventually, you'll start feel that extra bounce in your step, says naturopathic doctor <a href="http://www.drchamanbali.com/" target="_hplink">Chamandeep Bali</a> of Toronto.

• Get More Vitamin D

  Bali says getting vitamin D is important, especially because mood changes are often linked to vitamin D deficiencies. And because fall and winter are almost over, getting your daily dose of vitamin D can mean getting more sun exposure (15 to 30 minutes per day) or taking vitamin D supplements, he adds. "When patients don't have enough vitamin D, they are more likely to get a cold, infections or the flu," he says.

• Go To Sleep Earlier...Even If It's Hard

  It's the simple answer, but it never works. Trying to follow a sleep schedule can be challenging enough, but Bali says adjusting to a time change can just be about getting to bed earlier. Try mapping out your day, eating earlier and tiring yourself out before bed.

• Early Morning Stretches

  We know, this isn't the easiest thing to get used to either. Bali says waking up earlier and adding in a few exercises or stretches in the morning will help you get to sleep earlier at night. "This way, as the day progresses, you can tire yourself out," he explains.

• Snooze With Melatonin

  Melatonin is a hormone that <a href="http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview">helps regulate sleep cycles,</a> according to WebMD. Bali says shift workers should be extra alert of their sleeping patterns once the time changes. Melatonin supplements could help those who are having trouble sleeping and not producing enough in their own bodies.

• Eat The Right Foods

  A glass of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/07/foods-before-bed-foods_n_1861940.html#slide=1486524">milk before bed (minus the cookies)</a> can also help you sleep better. Eating healthy snacks before bed like small handful of almonds, a bowl of yogurt with berries, or an apple with peanut butter can also help you fall asleep faster.

• Make It Easier On Your End

  Your alarm clock is probably the most annoying sound in the morning. To wake up earlier, try <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/25/tricks-waking-up-sleep_n_2718257.html#slide=2125135">moving your clock (or phone) away from your bed to compel you to get up and turn it off.</a>