How daylight saving time affects your body and how to cope
While many people set the clock back and don't think twice about it, there are various lasting effects that this time change will bring, both mentally and physically. Yahoo Life is joined by two experts to share what to expect, and ways to cope. It's already been a tough year for most, and our threshold for anxiety and depression is lower than usual. Being aware of additional disruptions and knowing what to expect can help minimize the effects.
Video Transcript
TAZ BHATIA: Our threshold for anxiety and depression is much lower right now. Even the strongest amongst us mentally are in a weird place. So when we have additional disruptions, like disruptions to our sleep cycle, disruptions to the amount of light we're getting in when we're awake, it's just one more factor in an already really tough year for so many people.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Daylight savings time actually does have an effect on our body. By setting that back, that people are actually waking up when it's dark rather than when it's light, and so they're not getting that stimulation at hey, it's time to reset your circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythms or the flow of when we sleep and when we're awake dictates so many different processes in the body.
JUDY HO: When the clock falls back, people usually will experience sleep disturbance for somewhere between one to two weeks. People sometimes who have more seasonal moves to their mood, they will experience more depression and sadness.
TAZ BHATIA: We know that chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of heart disease and strokes and heart attacks. We know that when we don't have consistent circadian rhythms, then insulin gets thrown off. What can you do to start preparing yourself for daylight savings time? Start going to bed earlier, because we don't want this whole concept of sleep deprivation to set in.
JUDY HO: Have a nighttime routine that calms you down. I recommend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour before you go to sleep that you turn off devices and you start slowly getting ready for bed, and then doing something relaxing that doesn't actually involve blue light or devices. Once you get tired, that's when you get to bed. You don't want to go to bed too early just to make sure you're in bed by a certain hour.
TAZ BHATIA: And I think getting consistent exercise, because we know that exercise helps with that endorphin release.
JUDY HO: You're going to have less opportunity to get sunlight, but even 20 to 30 minutes of indirect sunlight in the morning through a window sill can really help to reset your circadian rhythm. Light therapy has been proven in research to work very well. It's really important that you set aside some time every single day for self care. It can be anything. Just from listening to music, lighting a candle, or just having a little bit of alone time where you don't have responsibility.
Finally, don't give up on social connections. It's a difficult time right now, as most of us are still staying at home, and there's a lot of social distancing directives. But make sure that you connect with one person you care about a day. Even a brief interaction like that can bring you a lot of positivity and a feeling of community when you need it most.
