This year, Daylight Savings Time falls on Sunday, March 13th, 2022. We will be 'springing' forward one hour, which means losing an hour of sleep.
Even though sleep loss often feels like the most devastating part of daylight savings, there are actually much greater impacts on our health that are often overlooked.
The biggest impact is the disruption of our circadian rhythm which refers to our "physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle" as stated by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
These shifts have been proven to lead to more accidents and injuries. Although not yet definitively proven, many studies are evaluating how these shifts also contribute to changes in our mental health.
Since we can't control the time change, let's work on what we can do to take our wellness into our own hands.
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Get more sun exposure. Natural light is the strongest circadian cue, which can help regulate your system.
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Get daily exercise. Moving during the day helps support your internal clock and will make it easier to fall asleep due to your energy expenditure.
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Avoid caffeine. Stimulants such as caffeine can alter your body's natural balance between sleep and wakefulness.
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Reduce light before bed. Artificial light exposure can confuse your natural circadian rhythm. Try to use lamps or dim lights prior to bedtime and minimize your usage of electronic screens.
It's important to understand that a sudden change in schedule can lead to fatigue, grogginess, and even illness. However, by implementing the preventive measures above we can help our bodies adapt to the time change in a healthy way.
If you're looking for a way to move your body more and practice your mindfulness, check out our virtual studio membership.
Stay healthy!
The RTWS Team
*Please note this article is extensively researched but is not written by a medical professional, nor should it be used as medical advice. We encourage you to seek advice from your primary care physician.
Resources:
Suni, E. (2022, January 20). What is circadian rhythm? Sleep Foundation. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Circadian rhythms. National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx
Zhang, H., Dahlén, T., Khan, A., Edgren, G., & Rzhetsky, A. (2020). Measurable health effects associated with the daylight saving time shift. PLOS Computational Biology, 16(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007927
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