agardner
Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 14:39
If you’re still feeling the effects of losing an hour of sleep due to Daylight Savings, you’re not alone.  Many people feel the effect of “springing ahead” for up to one week. Losing only one hour of sleep and introducing your body to a new circadian rhythm with longer days can affect your mind, body, and overall health.  You might find it more difficult to fall and stay asleep, manage your appetite, or regulate your mood while your body adjusts to a new cycle as we head into spring.


How daylight savings time may affect your health.

Losing just one hour of out of your day may not seem like something that will complicate your health for a week or more, but the changing light cycle by which you sleep and wake disrupts your body’s natural circadian rhythm which regulates body functions like sleeping and producing hormones.

While your body struggles to reset its circadian rhythm, you might find that you have difficulty falling or staying asleep, leaving you feeling more fatigued than usual.  If not properly handled, fatigue can lead to an increase in accidents, stress, and moods swings.

Simple ways to cope with the change.

  • Start adjusting immediately. The sooner you begin to cope with the effects, the sooner your body can return to normal.  If you’ve been relying on naps, caffeine or sleep aids to offset the fatigue this week, start by returning to your normal bedtime and your normal wakeup.  If you tend to sleep in on weekends, now is the time to try to maintain a regular sleep schedule every day.

  • Refresh your diet with healthy foods. One of the hormones impacted by the disruption to your circadian rhythm is ghrelin, the hormone that makes us feel hungrier.  Coupled with less sleep, the hormone can make it difficult to deal with unhealthy cravings and lead to overeating.  Starting your day with a healthy breakfast not only provides a nutritious boost to your health, but it also tells your body that it’s time to wake up and start the day.  Steering clear of sugar in the morning can also help you manage mood changes you might be suffering from.

  • Stick to your workout. Exercise gives you a natural energy boost and healthy endorphin rush no matter what time you prefer to exercise.  Staying consistent and maintaining your FitClub schedule can help you return to a normal sleep and wake cycle quickly.  Exercise also helps to ward off the stress and changing moods that you might be suffering while your body adjusts.


Does the time change bother you?  If you managed the time change successfully, tell us how you did it!