Daylight saving time is when we move the clocks forward one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall. It was created to give people more daylight in the evening, but studies show that it can negatively affect our health. The time change can mess up sleep schedules, increase health risks, and make people feel more tired and stressed.
One of the biggest problems with daylight saving time is how it throws off our body’s natural clock, also called the circadian rhythm. In the spring, when we lose an hour of sleep, many people feel more tired and have trouble focusing. It can take days or even weeks to fully adjust. Even in the fall, when we gain an hour, the change still disrupts sleep patterns and can make people feel groggy.
Some research also shows that daylight saving time can increase the risk of heart problems. Studies found that heart attacks go up by about 24% on the Monday after the springtime change. The sudden shift in sleep and stress levels may cause higher blood pressure and other heart-related issues. While heart attack rates drop slightly in the fall, the overall health risks remain a concern.
Additionally, changing the clocks makes people more likely to get into accidents. After daylight saving time begins in the spring, there are more car crashes, workplace injuries, and medical mistakes. Sleep-deprived drivers and workers are less alert, making accidents more common. Research shows that fatal car accidents increase in the days following the time change.
Losing sleep and having less daylight in the morning can also affect mood and mental health. Some people feel more anxious or depressed, and those with seasonal affective disorder may struggle even more. Changing the clocks can make people feel irritable and tired, leading to higher stress levels and lower energy.
Even though daylight saving time can be tough on the body, there are ways to make the transition easier, such as spending time outside in the morning to help reset your body’s clock, avoid using screens before bedtime to improve sleep quality, skipping caffeine in the evening to make falling asleep easier, and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule every day.
Daylight saving time was meant to help people use daylight better, but it can cause serious health problems. It can mess up sleep, increase the risk of heart issues, lead to more accidents, and affect mental health. Because of these issues, more people are questioning whether daylight saving time should continue. Until changes are made, following simple habits can help make the transition smoother and protect your health.
