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Healthy
Living-- pages 18- 22
To your Health!
How Falling Back to Standard Time Can Affect Your Health and Mood
When we turn our clocks back one hour in the fall, many people look forward to gaining an extra hour of sleep. But the transition to Eastern Standard Time can affect more than just our schedules. The change can temporarily influence sleep, energy levels, mood, and our body ' s internal clock.
Our bodies follow a natural 24-hour rhythm called the circadian rhythm. It helps regulate when we feel awake and when we become sleepy. Light is one of the most important signals that keeps this internal clock on schedule. When the clocks change, our daily exposure to light changes as well.
One advantage of returning to standard time is that mornings become lighter earlier. Morning sunlight can help signal to the brain that it is time to wake up and become alert. For some people, this can make waking up easier and help their sleep schedule become more consistent.
However, there is a trade-off: darkness arrives earlier in the evening. That earlier sunset can make the day seem shorter and may leave some people feeling tired, less energetic, or less motivated in the late afternoon. People who are particularly sensitive to changes in daylight may notice changes in their mood.
The fall time change also occurs as daylight continues to decrease naturally as winter approaches. This reduced exposure to sunlight can be especially important for people who experience seasonal affective disorder( SAD), a type of depression associated with seasonal changes.
Most people adjust to the one-hour change within several days, although those who already have irregular sleep schedules may take longer. Maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake-up time can help. Getting outside for natural light in the morning is another useful way to help the body ' s internal clock adjust. Even a short morning walk or time spent outdoors can provide beneficial light exposure.
It is also helpful to maintain regular exercise, eat meals at consistent times and avoid excessive bright light from phones, computers, and televisions close to bedtime.
While gaining an hour may sound like a welcome change, our bodies do not necessarily adjust as quickly as our clocks. Paying attention to sleep,
Eastern Standard Time Returns: November 1st. daylight exposure, and mood during the transition can make the change easier- and may help you feel more energized as winter approaches.
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