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SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – It’s that time of year when we set our clocks back; daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday
Though you’ll gain an hour of sleep Saturday night, researchers at the University of Vermont who study sleep and the brain say the disruption can negatively impact your health
At the time it was just about dusk on Friday, it will be completely dark next week
“I can’t remember the last time daylight saving has happened and I’ve felt well-rested,” said Campbell Wright of Ithaca, New York
The clocks fall back this weekend, giving you an hour of sleep Saturday night. But that gift of time might actually be danger in disguise
“I remember when I was working and I had to drive home in the dark, I absolutely did not like it. You know, driving on Interstate 89, you take your life into your own hands,” said Debra Fraser of Burlington
Researchers say that hour change twice a year has more adverse effects than a feeling of grogginess
“Strokes and heart attacks kind of get elevated during these periods of stress and changes in sleep. And, you know, even when it comes to kind of behavioral things, whether that be like driving or, you know, getting up in the morning to take your kids to school or going to class, these shifts can have some other effects, like driving. Drowsy driving is an incredibly dangerous thing,” said John DePalma, a UVM clinical psychology Ph.D. student.
It’s all because of your body’s circadian rhythm. That’s the scientific term for your biological clock. It runs on consistency
Your brain gets sleep and hunger cues based on daylight
College student Campbell Wright feels that shift
“I would get up and be like, oh wait, I have more time, but I really don’t, and then you fall into that schedule of waking up and then going back to sleep, and then you just wake up finally and get out of bed and you’re even more exhausted,” Wright said
Is the extra hour a benefit? Dr. Dhruv Shah, a UVM child and adolescent psychiatrist, said the science isn’t clear. But he still sees an opportunity
“I used to think there were benefits, but it seems like more recently, the science isn’t clear on if there are benefits. But I like to positively frame things in that it’s a great time to focus in on how sleep affects you,” Shah said
During these darker days, experts recommend getting up earlier to get more sunlight in the morning and staying active and social
For Vermonters, that might mean taking on a winter hobby
“Do a lot of skiing and sort of outdoor activities, and I think that’s the trick in the winter is to have something to do. And if you don’t, it’s a long miserable road,” said Stephen Bailey of Burlington
Officials say it’s also a good time to check your smoke alarms, chimneys, space heaters and wood stoves to make sure everything is running smoothly
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