The time change has arrived and many are happy about "falling back" to standard time because it is usually thought to be less physically stressful than the clock "springing forward" BUT some studies have shown that even a even a 60 minute time change can have effects on the body, health and even traffic safety.
Below are several tips for managing the yearly time change:
- As with most things, eating healthy can help alleviate the effects of time change. Make sure you have a good breakfast, since mealtimes can act as a trigger to help your body clock readjust.
- Staying hydrated is also a big help! Avoid caffeinated beverages, since too much caffeine can disrupt your natural sleep rhythm even further.
- Increasing your exposure to bright light and physical activity during the day and until late afternoon/early evening to help compensate for the overall reduction of daylight hours will do wonders for the negative effects of time change.
- Be sure to get your daily dose of Vitamin D. The best ways to get the Vitamin D you need are to get adequate sun exposure (15 to 30 minutes per day in summer/southern regions — it's very difficult to get enough exposure in winter in northern regions because of reduced UV levels), or to take vitamin D supplements.
- Lastly, drivers should be extra alert. With the end of daylight savings time, comes an increase of darkness around the time of rush hour, when traffic is at a peak and many are making our way home from work. Drivers are not used to the decreased visibility – neither are pedestrians, who might take chances crossing roads when they shouldn’t. Pedestrians walking around at dusk are nearly three times more likely to be struck and killed by cars in the days following the end of daylight saving time than just before the time change.
Mark your calendar, so you can stay ahead of the time change in the future!
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