Daylight Saving Time's Effects on the Body
New research published by Current Biology indicates our internal clocks may not be adjusting to the new time but rather to the changing cycles of sunlight. The body's circadian rhythm is set by the sun, changing depending on our residence, so we are physiologically following the cycles of the sun. Thus, our bodies do not simply adjust to the new daylight saving time.
The adjustment is made more problematic by the federally mandated additional weeks that have pushed back daylight saving time in recent years. While it has had a positive effect on energy consumption, it has not been so beneficial to maintaining good sleep habits. Our bodies are still trying to follow the sun rather than the clock, causing a disruption in our sleep patterns.
Sleep deprivation can trigger serious health and cognitive issues. It impairs our ability to control emotions, deal with stress and maintain a healthy immune system. Our brain also has to work harder to concentrate on tasks if we're sleepy, and sleep deprivation can even contribute to hallucinations, anxiety disorders and other psychiatric problems. It has also been linked to depression, hypertension, heart disease, irritability and slower reaction times. Thus, it is very important we get our uninterrupted eight hours.
There are several things you can do to minimize the effects of daylight saving time:
- Don't see it as having an extra hour to stay up. Go to bed at your normal time and get up at your normal time.
- Block out any light from your room to keep it dark. If you normally wake up with the first lights of dawn, this extra hour of sunlight will disturb your sleep.
- Turn on the lights when you awaken and open up the curtains. Increasing the light in your home will keep you more alert to help your biological clock adjust to the new sleep schedule.
- If you have a really difficult time adjusting, try gradually moving your bedtime and awakening time later every couple of days.
These are some great steps to ensure you're achieving all the restful sleep you need during daylight saving time. For myself, I make sure my windows are completely covered, and I gradually increase my bedtime every night by about ten minutes until I am back on track.
Published by Marie Brandon - Featured Contributor in Technology
Marie Brandon teaches middle school history and works part-time as a freelance writer. She plans to pursue her master s degree in professional writing in late 2012. Above all, Marie is proud of her family... View profile
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