There are very few things Americans agree on these days, but a mutual hatred for Daylight Savings time seems to be one of them. A recent study has shown that the Monday after Daylight Savings time has an increased occurrence of heart attacks.
In a recent survey it was found that just 32 percent of Americans are in favor of daylight savings time. Many health and wellness professionals are also joining the crusade against daylight savings time saying that it is not good for health, and can result in adverse events. Some of the concerns around daylight savings time are linked to 3 key areas:
- Sleep deprivation
- Immune function
- Sympahetic tone
The root cause of all of this is the circadian rhythm. A persons natural sleep/wake cycle which becomes routine. Your body produces hormones at specific times of day, so a change to the clock, even if it is just an hour can have a huge affect on a persons well being.
How to Adapt to Daylight Savings Time?
Follow these steps and you will have a better time adjusting to the time change.
Divide the time change over the weekend.
Simply make small changes each day instead of the full hour on Sunday morning. Start going to bed and waking up at slightly different times so your body is not shocked by the full 1 hour change.
Eat Breakfast
This might sound like a weird one, but eating breakfast can send signals to your body and start changing your circadian rhythm to match the new time. Eat a medium sized breakfast shortly after waking up so your digestion kicks in, telling your body it’s time to wake up and be alert.
Get Sunlight
This is one that is a good habit to get into even when it isn’t Daylight Savings. Getting sun on your skin and in your eyes in the morning is the best signal to your body that it is day time.
Be Active in the Morning
It doesn’t have to be anything too intense, just enough activity to get your blood flowing. You can see that all of these steps are signals to your brain that it is day time. When you do all of these things your brain and body will get the message and adjusting to the time change will be much easier.
