Surprising Effects of Daylight Saving Time on Our Health
Daylight saving time (DST) is quickly approaching its end on November 5th. While most people associate health risks with the spring time change, when we lose an hour of sleep, the fall time change can have surprising effects on our well-being. Here are some of the ways in which DST can impact our health:
Increased Stroke Risk
A Finnish study conducted in 2016 revealed that moving the clock back by an hour temporarily increases the risk of ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke is caused when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain. The overall rate of ischemic stroke goes up by 8% during the first two days following the DST transition. This risk is particularly high for individuals over the age of 65, whose stroke risk increases by 20% after the time change. The good news is that these rates return to normal after two days. The disruption in the circadian rhythm, or internal clock, is the likely cause of this phenomenon.
Decreased Heart Attack Risk
Contrary to popular belief, the end of DST actually lowers the risk of heart attacks. While heart attack risk increases by 24% when DST starts in the spring, it drops by 21% after the time change ends in the fall. This decrease may be due to the additional hour of sleep people get when the clocks are set back.
Increased Car Accident Risk
Studies have shown that car accidents are more likely to occur after the end of DST, mainly because it gets darker earlier. Driving in the evening is more dangerous, accounting for 50% of traffic deaths despite only making up a quarter of total driving time.
Disrupted Sleep Schedule
While gaining an hour of sleep may seem like a positive, it can actually cause a temporary disruption in sleep patterns. The change in sleep timing can lead to feelings of “jet lag,” resulting in fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating. However, the exposure to daylight earlier in the day can help adjust circadian rhythms to the new time.
Potential Increase in Depression
The transition from daylight saving to standard time has been linked to an increase in depression diagnoses. A Danish study found that depression was 8% higher than expected in the month following the end of DST. Although the study focused on severe depression, researchers believe that the seasonal time change can impact the entire spectrum of severity.
To help your body adjust to the time change, experts suggest gradually delaying bed and wake times in the days leading up to DST. Keeping the bedroom dark in the morning can encourage sleeping in, while exposure to light during the evening can help stay awake until bedtime. Engaging in physical activity and eating a good breakfast upon waking can help reset your internal clocks.
