Announcement
November 1, 2024
November 2024
Daylight Saving & Your Health
Spring ahead, fall back. That’s the motto of Daylight Saving Time, a biannual time change practiced by many countries throughout the world. While that extra hour of sleep in the fall sounds nice, how is your body actually affected by this change?
Daylight Saving Time – Each year, we move our clocks forward one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall. This is called Daylight Saving Time (DST), and its purpose is to make better use of daylight hours during the summer. Modern DST in the United States was implemented during World War 1 to save resources. It was reintroduced year-round during World War 2 under the name “War Time” and later standardized in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act. Currently, DST is not mandated within the US and there are several states and localities that opt out.
Your health – The human circadian rhythm, defined as the internal clock on which your body operates, is heavily influenced by sunlight. For example, the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for sleep, is produced in greater quantities when it is dark out. Unlike the clock on the wall, that won’t change overnight. The body takes a few days to catch up, during which time sleep deprivation and fatigue may set in.
In both the beginning of DST (spring) and the end (fall), there is an increase in traffic accidents within the following week. This effect is more significant in the spring and results in a 6% increase in fatal vehicle accidents. Similarly, heart attack and stroke risks increase with both changes, with a more significant effect in the spring. Nationally, the rate of strokes increases 8% when DST starts. Studies suggest that these increases are directly related to sleep disturbances. And let’s not forget, lack of sleep can simply cause a bad mood.
Your workout – Many people find it hard to keep motivated when days get shorter. Getting out of bed when it’s dark is hard, and finding the motivation to hit the gym on the way home from work after sunset is equally challenging.
Aside from motivation, there are physical challenges that come with the time change. Physical strength peaks in the late afternoon due to its connection to the circadian rhythm. Depending on what time you choose to exercise, the time change can reduce your gains overnight. Studies have also suggested that physical endurance is reduced immediately following the spring forward or fall back.
Regardless of the time of day you choose to exercise, the key is consistency. Commit to a regular schedule and your internal clock will follow.
Your solution – Minimize the effects of the time change by gradually shifting your schedule. Don’t wait for the overnight one-hour jump. During the week prior to the switch, gradually move your bedtime by a few minutes each day. Seeking out sunlight can also help your body to transition. Practice healthy eating and sleeping habits, avoid caffeine late in the day, and drive carefully.
