Overcoming hurdles of spring daylight saving time shift
Experts detailed the health effects of daylight saving time on the mind and body and provided tips for coping with the one-hour time change.
The United States enacted daylight saving time into law in 1918, according to a news article from Psychology Today. Since then, the experts emphasized that many individuals have reported feeling exhaustion during the acclimation period following the spring time shift — which can take days before adjustment.
Recent studies analyzing the greater impacts of both the autumn and spring time changes have found correlations with physical and mental health. For instance, investigators noted a reduction in all-cause mortality up to eight weeks following the autumn time shift and a potential increase in suicidal actions among some at-risk groups, such as patients with substance use disorders, following the spring time shift. Further, the spring time shift may also play a role in lower productivity levels among employees and a higher rate of fatal motor vehicle collisions as a result of ambient light changes. Conversely, pedestrian and bicycle collisions declined following the spring time shift.
The experts recommended that individuals take steps to mitigate the effects of the time shift. Creating a regular sleep and wake routine, including on the weekends, can help reduce tiredness. Individuals can also avoid stimulants like caffeine and screen time before going to sleep. To accelerate adjustment to the time changes, the experts suggested increasing their exposure to natural light by taking walks or keeping the curtains open for direct access to sunlight.
Read more: Psychology Today
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