Daylight Saving Time: Understanding its Sleep Effects

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice of advancing the clocks by one hour during the summer months to take advantage of the longer days and conserve energy. However, when autumn arrives, the clocks are reverted by one hour to standard time, leading to a phenomenon known as “fall back.” The process of reverting to standard time can have significant effects on sleep patterns, leading to disruptions in the body’s internal clock and, ultimately, adverse health outcomes.

In Canada and in the U.S., Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday in November, with the time change taking place at 2:00 a.m. local time. This year, the end of Daylight Saving Time falls on Sunday, November 5, 2023.

This post will examine the impact of Daylight Saving Time on sleep, the consequences of sleep disruption, and some ways to mitigate these effects.

Impact of Daylight Saving Time on Sleep

The transition from Daylight Saving Time to standard time, which occurs in the fall, can have a profound impact on sleep patterns, especially in the days following the change.

One of the primary ways in which the change affects sleep is by disrupting the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Our internal clocks are responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycles, and any disruption to this system can have significant consequences.

In the days following the Daylight Saving Time transition, the body’s internal clock is essentially out of sync with the new time. This means that people may experience difficulty falling asleep at night and waking up in the morning, which can lead to sleep deprivation.

Additionally, the shift in the timing of daylight can also contribute to sleep disturbances. For example, during the fall, the days become shorter, which means that it gets darker earlier. This can cause a shift in the timing of the body’s internal clock, leading to further sleep disruptions.

Consequences of Daylight Saving Time Sleep Disruption

The consequences of sleep disruption can be far-reaching, and they can affect both our physical and mental health. Some of the most common consequences of sleep disruption include:

Increased risk of accidents

Sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function, reaction time, and decision-making abilities, all of which can increase the risk of accidents. For example, studies have shown that the risk of car accidents increases in the days following the Daylight Saving Time transition.

Impaired immune function

Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy immune system, and disruptions to sleep can compromise our ability to fight off infections and illnesses.

Mood disturbances

Sleep disruption can also affect our mood, leading to increased irritability, anxiety, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and depression.

Impaired cognitive function

Lack of sleep can impair cognitive function, leading to problems with memory, attention, and learning.

Increased risk of chronic diseases

Chronic sleep disruption has been linked to an increased risk of several chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Also, your skin, craving that beauty sleep, loses its glow, succumbing to premature aging and pesky breakouts.

Mitigating the Effects of Daylight Saving Time Sleep Disruption

While the effects of sleep disruption can be severe, there are some ways to mitigate the effects of Daylight Saving Time on sleep. Some of the most effective strategies include:

Gradual adjustment to the end of Daylight Saving Time

One way to minimize the effects of Daylight Saving Time on sleep is to gradually adjust to the new time. This means gradually shifting bedtimes and wake times by 15 to 30 minutes each day in the days leading up to the transition.

Exposure to natural light

Exposure to natural light is a critical factor in regulating our internal clocks. Getting outside and exposing yourself to natural light during the day can help your body adjust to the new time and reduce the impact of Daylight Saving Time on sleep.

Sleep hygiene

Practicing good sleep hygiene is always important, but it is especially critical in the days following the Daylight Saving Time transition. This means maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, maintaining hydration throughout the day, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, minimizing/eliminating light at bedtime – especially blue light – and creating a sleep-conducive, decluttered environment.

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques

Techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, tai chi, listening to colored noise or to music, reading, positive thinking, positive affirmations, essential oil aromatherapy, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Seek medical help

In cases where sleep disruption is severe or persists for an extended period, it may be necessary to seek medical help. A sleep specialist can evaluate your sleep patterns and provide strategies to help you manage the effects of daylight savings time on your sleep.

Daylight Saving Time Public Health Implications

Daylight Saving Time and its impact on sleep patterns have significant public health implications. The sleep disruptions caused by Daylight Saving Time can lead to increased accidents, mood disturbances, impaired cognitive function, and an increased risk of chronic diseases. Additionally, the transition to Daylight Saving Time has been linked to an increase in heart attacks, particularly in the days following the change.

In recent years, there have been growing calls to end the practice of Daylight Saving Time altogether, due to the negative impact it can have on sleep patterns and overall health. Some studies have shown that the energy savings associated with Daylight Saving Time are minimal, and many argue that the costs of Daylight Saving Time, in terms of sleep disruption and other health consequences, outweigh the benefits.

In some jurisdictions, there have been moves to abolish Daylight Saving Time. For example, in 2019, the European Union voted to end the practice of Daylight Saving Time by 2021, with member states given the option to remain on standard time or adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time. In the United States, there have been several attempts to end Daylight Saving Time, with some states and territories, such as Hawaii and Arizona, already opting out of the practice.

Conclusion

The transition from Daylight Saving Time to standard time in the fall can have significant effects on sleep patterns, leading to disruptions in the body’s internal clock and adverse health outcomes.

Sleep disruption can impair cognitive function, increase the risk of accidents, impair immune function, and increase the risk of chronic diseases.

There are several strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of Daylight Saving Time on sleep, including gradual adjustment, exposure to natural light, good sleep hygiene, and mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

In light of the negative impact of Daylight Saving Time on sleep patterns and overall health, there have been growing calls to end the practice of Daylight Saving Time altogether.