It’s that time again: Daylight Savings Time. As we set our clocks back an hour and enjoy the extra hour of sleep, some people have a harder time adjusting to this change in time. If you know someone who suffers from depression or insomnia, it may be helpful for them to know about the negative effects that Daylight Savings Time can have on their bodies and minds.
Morning people are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes
If you’re a morning person, you might want to think twice about getting your daily dose of sunlight in the morning. According to a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, people who are most active before noon are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes than those who exercise later in the day.
The researchers found that morning types tend to have higher blood pressure than those who prefer evening activities. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In addition, these early risers also tend to be overweight or obese (another major cause), which increases their chances of suffering from heart disease or stroke later on down the road.
People who have insomnia can suffer from mood disorders
Speaking with your doctor about treatment options may be a good idea if you suffer from insomnia. Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are two ways that people can alleviate their symptoms of depression and help them get back on track.
Some people also find relief in light therapy, which involves sitting near special lights that simulate sunlight in order to reset their circadian rhythms. Light therapy has been shown to help those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), where they experience symptoms like fatigue or moodiness during winter months due to lack of natural light exposure. However, it’s important not to use this method if you have photosensitivity issues since it could exacerbate them instead!
It’s harder for people with sleep disorders to adjust
If you have a sleep disorder, Daylight Savings Time may be more challenging to adjust to. People with insomnia or another sleep disorder should be aware of how Daylight Savings Time can affect their health and speak with their doctor about how best to manage it.
- The body’s circadian rhythm is an internal clock that regulates the daily cycle between waking and sleeping. As a result of these changes in daylight hours during DST (and summer), we disrupt our circadian rhythms, which affects our ability to fall asleep at night.
- This disruption can contribute to increased stress levels throughout the day due to fatigue from being unable to rest properly at night.
There can be an increase in car crashes
There can be an increase in car crashes on the Monday after Daylight Savings Time. This is because more people are on the road, and they may be sleep deprived or in a rush to get to work or school. Drivers should take extra care when driving during this period to avoid accidents, especially since there will likely be more traffic than usual.
People need to help those suffering
If you know someone who suffers from the negative effects of Daylight Savings Time, there are several things you can do to help them.
- Make sure they get to sleep earlier. Many people have trouble sleeping during this period because their bodies have formed a habit of going to bed later and waking up earlier than usual. If you see someone who is having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, encourage them to go to bed at their normal time and wake up at their normal time when Daylight Savings ends (unless they work night shifts).
- Make sure they aren’t working too late at night. If your friend or family member has a job that requires him/her to work nights during the week before Daylight Savings Time begins, make sure he/she gets enough rest beforehand so that he/she isn’t exhausted by Friday afternoons when his/her body thinks it should already be 9 pm!
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you understand the negative effects of Daylight Savings Time. It’s important to remember that it doesn’t affect everyone equally. But those who are, have a right that you hear them out. If you know someone who suffers from any of these or similar conditions, please offer them support during this difficult time of year!