This weekend, most of the country will lose an hour of sleep as clocks move forward for Daylight Saving Time. While the extra evening daylight can be welcome, health experts say the sudden shift can have real effects on our bodies.
Dr. Dave Miers, Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Bryan Medical Center, says the time change disrupts the body’s natural sleep cycle, known as the circadian rhythm, which helps regulate sleep, energy levels, and hormones.
He says even a one-hour shift can lead to fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating during the following days. “But then we also have folks that already have high anxiety and high stress levels and so a small change just exacerbates those symptoms they already have.”
Some research has also linked the days right after the spring time change to increases in workplace accidents, heart issues, and traffic crashes as people adjust to the new schedule. Miers recommend going to bed about 15 to 20 minutes earlier each night leading up to the change and getting morning sunlight to help reset the body clock.
Miers says there are some steps you can take to can reduce the impact, including 15-20 minutes earlier each night, avoiding caffeine and alcohol late at night, getting some exercise and open the curtains and allow natural light in. He also suggests avoiding cell phone screens an hour or two before you go to bed.
The time change takes effect at 2 a.m. Sunday, when clocks move forward to 3 a.m. So before heading to bed Saturday night, remember to set your clocks ahead one hour.