Stay Safe Falling Back!
It’s that time of year again: the end of Daylight-Saving Time (DST). While we may rejoice at the idea of getting that blessed extra hour of sleep, the time change can have a big impact on our health! Changing our alarm clocks also forces our body’s internal clock, our circadian rhythm, to change too. Pushing our days an hour back can have an effect on both our bodies and minds.
You may notice that your appetite is out of whack after DST ends. If you normally eat lunch at 12:00 p.m. you may find your stomach is rumbling at 11:00 a.m. That’s because it’s still on its old schedule. Your body is used to being fed at this certain time, so when it doesn’t receive food when it anticipates, it gives you that loud and helpful reminder. You may also find it’s harder for you to feel full or satisfied after eating around this time too, since changes in sleep patterns can affect your eating habits.
Sadly, the changing of time to cause us to lose an hour of daylight can trigger something called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Losing this hour of daylight can have a severe effect on those who suffer from mental illness, too.
The good thing about the end of DST is getting that extra hour of sleep. More sleep improves your mood and helps you to think and work better. Have you ever noticed everyone seems to be in a better mood after DST ends? Thank that extra hour to let them sleep in a bit! Studies even show that car accidents and heart attacks are less likely to happen in the months after DST ends than those during DST.
So, enjoy that extra hour of sleep and try not to overeat after you set that clock back! Stay safe and happy this fall, ya’ll!
