With the clocks going forward on 26th March we welcome sunnier Spring and Summer days, but we often don’t think about what impact this could have on health and wellbeing.
Dr Harriet Leyland, Clinical Advisor at myGP explains below how the change in clocks can negatively impact your sleep and what you can do to tackle the unwanted effects.
From being linked with a surge in heart attacks and strokes as a result of losing an hour of sleep, make sure you’re reducing risks and establishing a consistent sleep routine. Happy napping!
Dr Harriet Leyland, Clinical Advisor at myGP explains “When the clocks change the internal body clock, our circadian rhythm, has to reset and it can become out of sync with our standard night-and-day cycle. It can take a few days for our body to adjust to the new sleep pattern, which can affect our hormones and temperature. The resulting sleep loss and ‘sleep debt’, which is the effect of not getting enough rest on a regular basis, can have a negative impact on our well-being, including irritability, fatigue, and brain fog. Even more seriously losing an hour of sleep during the time change in the spring has been linked to a surge in heart attacks and strokes.
The good news, though, is that there are a few steps you can take to tackle the unwanted effects of time changes. For instance, you can establish consistent sleep routines, alter your bedtime schedule two or three days before the clocks move forward to allow you to make the change more gradually, and spend more time outdoors. In fact, sunlight can alleviate drowsiness as it limits the release of melatonin, a hormone that induces tiredness and gets you ready for bed.”
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
