Along with food and exercise, sleep is one of the integral things that every human body needs.
Early Sunday morning, you’ll lose an hour of sleep. That’s right, it’s that time of year again.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is here. When the clock hits 2 a.m., the time will jump forward an hour to 3 a.m.
In the grand scheme of things, an hour of sleep isn’t a big deal. But according to Robert Moser, director the Mount Nittany Health Sleep Management Program, that lost hour can cause some tangible short-term problems.
“While it may seem silly for some to grumble about losing an hour of sleep, there is credit in the claim that daylight savings times can affect one’s body,” he says.
Moser explains that the body runs on a natural clock of sorts that can be thrown off when clocks start jumping around, similar to the jet lag effect that occurs when traveling through time zones.
“We all run on a natural biological clock that controls our circadian rhythms, which are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a 24- to 25-hour cycle and respond to light and darkness in our environment,” Moser says. “Changing the clock by an hour throws off our biological clock and our circadian rhythm, affecting our body temperature, mental alertness, hormone levels, GI function and our sleeping habits.”
Moser says that the start of Daylight Saving Time is more problematic than the end, when we gain an extra hour. Because the body runs on a clock that’s slightly longer than 24 hours, it has a harder time adjusting to the shortened day.
Experts believe that it takes one day to adjust per an hour of change. However, Moser says, it may take longer than that for some people to adjust to the start of Daylight Saving Time.
It’s a little late for this advice now, but going to sleep 15 or 30 minutes earlier in the nights leading up to the change can make things easier. If your schedule doesn’t allow for that, Moser advises against going to bed an hour earlier tonight.
“Also make sure you are sleeping in a dark area. If your window lets light shine in, hang additional curtains or fabric,” he says. “With the time change, the evening light stays with us an hour later, which can disturb those who need to go to bed early.”
If sleep troubles prevail, Moser suggests talking to your physician about the need for a sleep specialist.
But for now, remember to change your clocks and follow this advice to avoid days of adjustment.
Popular Stories:
Prison Sentence for Man Convicted in Double Stabbing
Wrestling Seeks To Continue Big Ten Tournament Dominance
Christmas Thief Pleads Guilty To 22 Charges, Will Spend Years Behind Bars
Penn State Hockey: Nittany Lions Shine In 6-4 Upset Of No. 16 Michigan
Putting THON Fundraising Money to Work
Centre County Judge, District Attorney Accused of Bias, DA Says Claim is ‘Without Merit’
Penn State Football: Watch Dowrey Squat 545, Freshman Gains A Positive In Early Going
February Goes Down as Coldest Ever, At Long Last We’ll See a Late Winter Warm Up
Prison Sentence for Man Convicted in Double Stabbing
Penn State Football: Offseason Workouts Not To Be Overlooked
