Five Tips to Help You Better Adjust to the Clock Change
When daylight saving time ends, many of us experience discomfort and fatigue due to the sudden change in our daily routines. But what happens to our bodies during this period, and how can we make the adjustment smoother? Let’s explore the impact of the clock change on our bodies and discuss five tips to help you adjust.
How Does the Clock Change Affect Us?
Daylight saving time was first implemented during World War I to conserve energy. While it did lead to energy savings, the benefits are disputed today. In fact, research suggests that moving the clocks twice a year can have negative impacts on our health. Studies show that the first few days after the clocks change can lead to symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, and decreased immune function. Even more concerning, heart attacks, strokes, and workplace injuries are higher during this period compared to other weeks.
Why Do We Feel So Unwell?
The reason for this discomfort lies in our body’s internal biological “clock”. This clock controls our basic physiological functions, such as when we feel hungry or tired. Our circadian rhythm is regulated by an internal clock located in the hypothalamus, which synchronizes our peripheral clocks. However, when we change our clocks twice a year, our internal clocks become out of sync. It can take several days or weeks for our bodies to adjust, and this is why we often feel unwell during the clock change.
Five Tips to Help You Adjust
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the disruption caused by the clock change. Here are five tips to help you adjust:
- Keep Your Sleeping Pattern Regular: Keep your sleep schedule consistent before and after the clock change. This is particularly important for the morning routine, as the body releases cortisol to make you more alert. Regular sleeping patterns can help reduce the impact of the clock change on your sleep.
- Gradually Transition to the New Time: Change your bedtime by 10-15 minutes earlier or later each day to help your body adjust gradually. This can ease the transition and minimize jetlag-like symptoms.
- Get Morning Sunlight: Morning sunlight exposure can help your body adjust to the new time. It synchronizes your internal clock faster and increases your mood and alertness during the day. Avoid evening light, especially blue light from electronic devices, which can delay your sleep hormone melatonin.
- Avoid Bright Light in the Evening: Dim or avoid bright lights in the evening to help your body wind down and prepare for sleep. This includes avoiding blue light from electronic devices and opting for a dark environment before bedtime.
- Keep Your Eating Pattern Regular: Keep meal times consistent and avoid late-night meals. Environmental cues like food can also help synchronize your internal clock. Eating at the correct time can help your master and peripheral clocks shift at the same speed.
Conclusion
When it comes to adjusting to the clock change, it’s essential to understand the impact on our bodies. By following these five tips, you can minimize the disruption and make the adjustment smoother. Remember to keep your sleep and eating patterns regular, gradually transition to the new time, get morning sunlight, avoid bright light in the evening, and keep your eating pattern consistent. By implementing these simple tips, you can better adjust to the clock change and maintain a healthier and more comfortable daily routine.
FAQs
Q: Why Do I Feel So Unwell During the Clock Change?
A: The clock change disrupts our internal biological clock, causing our bodies to feel unwell due to the sudden change in our daily routines.
Q: How Can I Adjust to the Clock Change Smoother?
A: Follow the five tips outlined above, including keeping your sleep and eating patterns regular, gradually transitioning to the new time, getting morning sunlight, avoiding bright light in the evening, and keeping your eating pattern consistent.
Q: Will Removing Daylight Saving Time Help?
A: While removing daylight saving time has been suggested, it’s essential to understand that it’s up to member states to decide whether to adopt standard time or daylight saving time permanently. Scientists generally support keeping to standard time, as this is when the sun’s light most closely matches our daily routines.
