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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Daylight Saving Time ends on Nov. 1, so clocks will be set back an hour. While many will welcome an extra hour of sleep on Halloween night, changing the clocks twice a year carries health impacts
Subhendu Rath is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Internal Medicine at UK. As a Sleep Medicine Specialist, Dr. Rath deals extensively with sleep disorders. Rath says adjusting in the fall is easier on the body than springing forward in March, but issues remain
“People will still experience earlier waking, and that can be associated with fatigue or changes in their sleep routine,” Rath said. “So this can lead to temporary sleep disruption, daytime fatigue, with associated reduced concentration, irritability.”
The disruption ties to the circadian rhythm
“That regulates sleep, alertness, and along with it also regulates our body temperature, several hormones,” explained Rath. “Sunlight, especially the early morning light, is one of the strongest signals that keeps it synchronized. Now, changing the clock does not instantly reset our internal biological rhythm. So these changes can cause changes in our health.”
There has been discussion about ending clock changes. Rath pointed to guidance favoring one permanent time
“Since our circadian rhythm is significantly driven by the sunlight, particularly the early morning light, it is the permanent standard time, which drives it,” Rath said. “So it is, our bodies are more in tune with it. So that is why the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is recommending that we transition to a single permanent standard time.”
To adjust this weekend, Rath recommends shifting bedtime and wake-up time 10-15 minutes later each day over the next few days
“Other things they can do are get daylight during the daytime, avoid any late meals, late caffeine, reduced bright screens near bedtime, and protect the sleep time, making sure that they do get enough sleep,” he said
Rath added mood can be impacted this time of year because of loss of sunlight, not the clock change itself
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