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The end of daylight saving time can negatively impact your health.

The end of daylight saving time can negatively impact your health.

This weekend, most of the United States—except for Hawaii and much of Arizona, which doesn’t observe daylight saving time—is enjoying an extra hour of sleep, but is it really a good thing?

Although a day when the clock goes back gives you an extra hour of sleep before the alarm goes off, the end summer time in November has many health effects.

Setting the clocks back an hour on the first Sunday in November means shorter daylight hours. For many, this means that by the time they leave work around 5 p.m., it’s already dark outside. This is one of the disadvantages of setting the clocks back.

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Many health consequences from moving clocks back are associated with a changed sleep schedule.

Many people find it difficult to adjust because their internal clock has changed.

Man presses snooze button

When the clock goes back, we get an hour of sleep, but darkness comes earlier. (iStock)

“Just one hour can make a difference in the quantity and quality of your sleep,” said Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep researcher at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, according to the Associated Press.

“Abnormal sleep can affect people’s ability to multitask, stay alert, and even maintain balance, making them more prone to accidents.”

Many people, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions, may feel gloomy after the clock change, as well as during the autumn and winter months. There are several different theories as to why this happens.

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First, the body’s circadian rhythm, its internal clock, is disrupted when days get shorter and there is less access to sun, which can cause mood swings. Setting the clock back an hour means the dark winter is approaching.

The lack of serotonin that the body receives at this time of year can also contribute to poor mood.

woman sleeping in bed

Switching time can affect the body’s internal clock, making it difficult to adapt. (iStock)

There are ways to help your body adjust to a smooth transition.

The only thing you can do is keep the same bedtime. Don’t use an extra hour of sleep as an excuse to stay up late the night before. Instead, go to bed at your normal time.

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When you wake up in the morning during the cold winter months, try to get out into the light early by opening the blinds in your house, sitting outside, or even going for a walk.

If you spend your days indoors, the morning hours may be your only opportunity to relax. minimal sunlight.

Man talking on the phone in bed

You can help your body adjust to the time change by practicing good sleep habits, such as turning off your phone at night. (iStock)

Most clocks change on their own. Even though the time change doesn’t officially happen until 2 a.m., you can set your clocks back the night before so your body can better adjust to the change.

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A good practice no matter the time of year, especially during the colder months, is to establish a good sleep routine.

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Don’t eat or drink before bed, practice meditation to calm your body before bed, and pick up a book instead. I’m reaching for your phone before bed to limit screen time.