Still feeling a little groggy today? Maybe it’s just a case of the Mondays, but there’s also a decent chance that Daylight Savings Time threw you out of your regular routine. It will be great to have some extra sunlight around dinner time, but moving the clocks forward an hour can certainly get your body out of sync. Here’s how:
Heart Health – Hospitals always tend to see a small spike in the number of patients they treat for heart attack symptoms in the days after Daylight Savings Time. A few studies suggest that heart attacks increase 5-10% in the first three days after Daylight Savings Time. So why does one less hour of sleep impact our heart health so much? Researchers say sleep deprivation can increase inflammation in our arteries, which is associated with heart attacks. Additionally, our bodies get into a regular rhythm, so while you know you’re setting the clock ahead, your body’s cells don’t realize they have to adjust to the time shift. They adjust over time, but this shift can cause abnormal stresses in the body and can lead to a heart attack.
Sleep Issues – Good, quality sleep is necessary for your body. It’s a restorative process that cleanses your mind, rejuvenates your muscles and let’s your body recoup from the stresses of the day. One study found that your sleep efficiency (time you spent trying to fall asleep vs. time you spent asleep) takes a hit in the days after Daylight Savings Time. According to that study, sleep efficiency was reduced on average by 10% in the first five days after the time warp.
Mental Fog – Lack of sleep can leave you in a mental fog, and this is hazardous to workers and students. One study found that workers’ compensation claims increased in the first few days after Daylight Savings Time, and another study found that high school students still felt the effects of the time shift three weeks later. Researchers concluded that teachers should avoid planning significant tests in the first week after Daylight Savings Time.
Traffic Troubles – That lack of sleep and mental fog can also put you in danger on your way to school or work. Tired driving can slow your reaction time, and since we moved the clocks forward, drivers who hit the roads early in the morning are now driving in darker conditions. Traffic studies found that auto accidents increase in the morning in the days after Daylight Savings Time, but they also decrease in the afternoon. Researchers say evening traffic crashes tend to decrease because of the extra afternoon sunlight.
Dr. Silverman comments
Daylights Savings Time affects everyone differently, but there are things you can do to lessen the impact of the time shift. Some examples include:
- Sleep in a distraction free environment (no TV, Netflix, e-reader or iPod).
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Do not consume caffeine or alcohol within three hours of going to bed.
- Give yourself time to “wake up” in the morning.
- Avoid napping, as this can make it harder to fall asleep at night.
Sleep is very important for your body. Don’t let a one hour time shift throw you out of whack!
Related source: LA Times, WebMD